REPENTANCE PROVES ITSELF

by Cathy Weymouth

Tuesday 10/26/10  Job17; Acts 24-26 - REPENTANCE PROVES ITSELF

S - Acts 26:15;17-18 MSG "I am Jesus... I have a job for you. I've handpicked you ... I'm sending you off to open the eyes of the outsiders so they can see the difference between dark and light, and choose light, see the difference between Satan and God, and choose God.  I'm sending you off to present my offer of sins forgiven, and a place in the family, inviting them into the company of those who begin real living by believing in me." Acts 26:20 NIV "I preached that they should repent and turn to God and prove their repentance by their deeds."

O - Saul's life was interrupted by Jesus on the road to Damascus.  He was given a heavenly assignment from Jesus to open the eyes of the lost through his preaching.  His name and calling in life took a radical 180 degree change in direction as he obeyed the Lord's assignment. No longer did he kill Christians; now he brought people to Christ.  A radical change of repentance and lasting fruit.

A - Repentance proves itself by deeds. When we repent, there is fruit consistent with the repentance.  We begin "real living" when we repent and walk in a new direction.  Sometimes, the new life is radical, such as a miracle of deliverance from an addiction.  Other times the new life is embraced sacrificially one day at a time, moment by moment, through our choices.  But thankfully, not through our own willpower.  As we lean heavily on the Lord, we are empowered to prove our repentance through deeds through the power of the Holy Spirit.

P - Lord, may our repentance prove itself with our deeds.  May there be lasting fruit for all the world to see - of how Your Presence in our lives makes a radical difference.  May we be light to the world!