Empty Packages
Repentance – Part 3
Scripture Reading: Acts 26:19-23
Key Verse: Matthew 3:1-2
In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the Desert of Judea 2 and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.”
I am hoping the phrase, “prove your repentance by your deeds” is making more sense after the last two days of devotionals on the subject of repentance! Without this clear understanding of what true biblical repentance is, many end up giving God empty packages. In other words, their words of repentance are not what God is looking for. The Apostle James wrote: “You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder” (James 2:19). These demons are presenting empty packages to God; this kind of faith isn’t a gift to God.
Hopefully you are asking yourself if you are giving empty packages to God. The answer lies in your lifestyle. Has your faith in God and His Son Jesus Christ produced fruit in your life? Has your faith caused you to change from a bad behavior to better behavior? When you confessed your sins to God, did you do it because you truly had seen the light—realizing how wrong you were? Or, did you repent because you were sorry for getting caught? Possibly you faced consequences for your sins and these were causing you sorrow. If these events truly caused you to change your mind about the path you were on, that is true repentance! If you simply dread the consequences but still believe and want the behavior, you’ve not truly repented!
Father, I present my mind to you. Examine me for any areas that my thinking does not line up with yours! In Jesus’ name, amen.