This is the process whereby the natural man is transformed into the spiritual man. It is a process that requires changes in the natural man. While the Grace of God applies, the man himself must be altered into a new type. Repenting begins our change of place with respect to God. We move from a position of distance to one of a closer connection, and a willingness to listen to his counsel.
Next even more effort is requirede on our part in that we must exercise faith. We should not simply have faith, but exercise faith. There is reason for this emphasis on the active verb. Our faith must work, it must be the instrument that changes us. It is the exercising of faith that brings the good works. It is not the work that changes us, but the doing of the work. Of course constant prayer keeps us in our course.