The Evidence
Today's Scripture
“I preached first to those in Damascus, then in Jerusalem and throughout all Judea, and also to the Gentiles, that all must repent of their sins and turn to God—and prove they have changed by the good things they do.” - (Acts 26:20 NLT)
Thoughts for Today
Repentance is proved by one’s deeds.
We’ve all known people who apologize to us or someone we know for a wrong done—and then continue the wrongdoing. That is not repentance. The apology seems meaningless, doesn’t it?
Similarly, when we truly repent to God for our sins, our actions provide the evidence. Remember the Merriam-Webster definition of repentance? “The act or process of repenting: specifically: contrition for one’s sins together with the dedication of oneself to the abandonment of unworthy purposes and values and to the amendment of one’s life.”
In today’s scripture, the apostle Paul says when we repent and turn to God, the proof lies in the actions that follow.
Consider this …
Repentance toward God and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ go hand in hand. There is much emphasis on confession in our society, even in secular circles. However, confession alone is not enough. We must repent and have faith in Jesus Christ. When we trust Christ as our Savior and walk according to his Word, Christ fills the void in our lives that we may feel when we reach this turning point.
Is there an issue in your life that you have confessed—but have not made any changes that show true repentance? Talk to God about it. Ask forgiveness for not abandoning the sin. And then ask him for the strength to set things right.
Prayer
Father, please forgive me for continuing in this sin even after confessing it. I need your help. Please help me turn from it. May my repentance be confirmed by my actions. In Jesus’ name . . .
These thoughts were drawn from …
Stepping into Freedom: A Christ-Centered Twelve-Step Program by Jimmy Ray Lee, D.Min. This twelve-step program is suggested for use in support groups, recovery groups and home groups. It offers help for anyone struggling with a life-controlling problem like drug addiction, alcoholism, sexual addiction, gambling or workaholism. Note: This curriculum was written especially for small groups and we encourage people to use it that way. However, it can also be used effectively as a personal study for individuals or couples.
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