FRIDAY February 16, 2024
Repent and Turn to God
“Therefore, King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision, but declared first to those in Damascus and in Jerusalem, and throughout all the region of Judea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent, turn to God, and do works befitting repentance. For these reasons the Jews seized me in the temple and tried to kill me.”
Acts 26:19-21
Paul proclaimed boldly to King Agrippa that he was just being obedient to what God had called him to do. He preached to the Jews in Damascus, Jerusalem, and throughout all Judea. The Jews were trying to kill him because he was preaching the Resurrection of Jesus Christ, God’s forgiveness, and about true repentance.
Paul preached the same thing to the Gentiles––repentance and turning to God. Repentance is the beginning step. The Gentiles were called to turn to God––this was an about face––a 180-degree turn. A sinner is to forsake his sin and go in the complete opposite direction. A life walking in obedience to God. You see, God not only wants a person to repent, but there must be evidence of their repentance in their lives.
Has your life changed? Is there a true transformation by God’s indwelling Spirit in your life? Can people really see that you are a Christian? Are you doing works that befit your repentance? In other words, do your actions in your life show a true change––a change of attitude, lifestyle and speech?
Your walk with God has to match your talk. There has to be true repentance. Again, a change of heart and mind. It means to be really sorry, so that you never go back to your sin again. Everything changes in your life when you come to Christ. Again, has your life changed, or are you still a lost sinner who needs to turn to God for forgiveness?
True repentance hates the sin, and not merely the penalty; and it hates the sin most of all because it has discovered and felt God's love.
~William Taylor~
For more from Raul Ries, please visit SomebodyLovesYou.com!
