For the sorrow that is according to the will of God produces a repentance without regret, leading to salvation, but the sorrow of the world produces death” (2 Corinthians 7:10).
Federal Visionists love this verse because they think that repentance without regret leads to salvation. However, this reverses the ordo salutis.
The Reformed faith has always insisted that justification is by faith alone, apart from works such as repentance. Repentance is part of sanctification. In no way does sanctification lead to justification. Thus, repentance can never “lead” to salvation. This is backwards. Rather, salvation leads to repentance.
