A person has not repented unless, until they have changed their actions.
Unsaved people are able to do good works and do good works all the time. Atheists can do good works....give to the needy, feed the hungry, visit the sick, yet good works do not save...it takes obedience to God in believing, repenting of sins, confessing with the mouth and being baptized for emission of sins.
This is a great point, and one that really needs to be understood, in my view. Paul says;
Rom. 6: 16 Know ye not, that to whom ye "yield yourselves" servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin (Transgression of God's commandments) unto death, or of obedience (Keeping God's Commandments) unto righteousness?
So when a person continues in their definition of "Good", according to this world's religion's definition of Good, but by tradition, Transgress God's definition, that is still Sin, and it still leads to death, and still need to be repented from, even in those "many" who call Jesus their Lord.
Matt. 7: 22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. (Ye that reject God's definition of God, so you can walk in your own)
The mainstream religion of Jerusalem, in Christ's Time, believed they did Good. Jesus also tells us that "many", when HE comes back, who call Him their Savior/Lord, will also be convinced they "Do good" as the verse I have posted warns.
But it's God's Definition of Good, not our own, that is Holy, Just, and Good. Our definition of Good is a filthy rag. As the Christ, "when HE was up where HE was before", teaches.
Is. 48: 16 Come ye near unto me, hear ye this; I have not spoken in secret from the beginning; from the time that it was, there am I: and now the Lord GOD, and his Spirit, hath sent me.
17 Thus saith the LORD, thy Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel; I am the LORD thy God which teacheth thee to profit, which leadeth thee by the way that thou shouldest go. 18 O that thou hadst hearkened to my commandments! then had thy peace been as a river, and thy righteousness as the waves of the sea:
And again, after becoming a man.
Matt. 11: 28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
Those Peter preached to in Acts 2 were lost, spiritually dead but they were not 'totally depraved" unable to do well...for they were willing and able to listen to Peter, able to understand what he preached, be pricked in their hearts and obey Peter's words by repenting and being baptized for remission of sins.... all while in a lost state.
Wouldn't those who heard but didn't believe also be "able to do well", but just didn't care enough to believe what Peter was saying?
I think Paul even addresses this.
Rom. 11: 21 For if God spared not the natural branches, (Disobedient, unbelieving Jews, Yes?) take heed lest he also spare not thee.
22 Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in "his" goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off. (Just as the Jews who Jesus said "Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition)
23 And they also, if they abide not still in unbelief, shall be graffed in: for God is able to graff them in again.
A "New Man" must surely seek the Kingdom of God, and "God's Righteousness", not this world's religions definition, in order to learn God's definition of Good, that Paul said HE "Before Ordained" that we should walk in them.
Great post Seabass.