2Ti 2:25 in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth
Read the portion concerning repentance again: "if God perhaps will grant them repentance..."
It is God who grants repentance. No sinner by his own power can repent and turn to God. Many people forego repentance saying: "I can repent when I am older. For now, I want to enjoy sin." They are ignorant of the fact that repentance is God's granting. That repentance is a privilege and an offer that God could withdraw anytime He wants.
The sinner's mind is darkened by sin. His desires are corrupted by it. His will is in bondage to it.
God is not under obligation to save any sinner. When we talk about salvation, we are talking of God's mercy not His obligation. He could have justly swept us all to hell the very first time we sinned but God in His mercy desires that we be saved.
And so He comes to a depraved sinner in mercy and grace, He opens his understanding, enlightening him about his helpless condition and opening his mind to understand the salvation that is in Christ.
He then grants him the desire to repent and trust in Christ. He frees up His will in bondage to sin, enabling him and granting him the ability to repent and trust Christ.
If he does not resists and reject this gracious operation of God, he will be saved. However, constant stubborn rejection of God's offer will result in God withdrawing His grace leaving man back again to his depraved and hardened state.
Don't presume on repentance saying: "Later in life. I will repent." For that moment may never come. For it is not in your power. It is God's granting. If you desire repentance right now, don't put it off. It is God-given. It might be the last time you will ever desire to repent.
