As Stan and I were enjoying breakfast together at the Twelve Baskets Cafe he mentioned that in his journaling time earlier that morning he’d seen something the apostle Paul said that reminded him of what he was told when he first became a Christian. “What’s that?” I asked.
“Becoming a Christian is not the end of the story,” he replied, “it’s just the beginning.”
“Paul said that?”
“Well,” Stan admitted, “not in those exact words, but that’s the point of what he said.”
“What did he say?”
“To repent, turn to God, and perform deeds appropriate to repentance,” Stan replied. “In addition, John the Baptist said kind of the same thing when he told some Pharisees and Sadducees to bring forth fruit in keeping with their repentance.”
“So,” I said, “when people turn to God and repent so they have the life with Him that Jesus came to give, they’re supposed to do things that show that they’ve actually repented and have turned to God. Is that it?”
“That’s it,” Stan agreed. “When we’ve repented and turned to God, that’s not the end of the story, it’s only the beginning!”
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Bible verses to consider:
. . . they should repent and turn to God, performing deeds appropriate to repentance. Acts of the Apostles. 26:20.
Therefore bring forth fruit in keeping with your repentance. Matthew 3:8.
Therefore bring forth fruits in keeping with your repentance, . . . . Luke 3:8.
Prayer: Thank you, Father, for giving Jesus and His finished work on the cross as the way to life with you, the life that begins here and will continue on into eternity. Even though I know I will be in your eternal presence because I have turned to you and repented, I confess that too often while I remain on this side of eternity I don’t perform deeds or bring forth fruit for you and your kingdom that is appropriate to my repentance. Please forgive the foolishness of living the new life you’ve given without bringing forth fruit. Help me follow every step of your lead in bringing forth fruit for you and your kingdom. Thank you I can and do bring these prayers before you in the name of Jesus. Amen.
Think on this: Have you turned to God and repented so you have life with Him? If no, why do you choose to remain separated from God both now and forever? If you are a Christian with the assurance of salvation and redemption because you have turned to God and repented, how are you doing with performing deeds and bringing forth fruit appropriate to your repentance? If you sense the desire for change with any of this, how is that change going to happen? Is that what you truly want? Why or why not?
The need: Since God knows what we need before we ask Him (Matthew 6:8), what does He know you need, not only to turn to Him and repent, but what does He know you need to performed deeds and bring forth fruit appropriate to your repentance? Spend time studying God’s word, praying, reflecting, and journaling to see what God knows you need. He will show you!
Forward: Do you know others who would or could benefit from this devotional? If so, why not forward it and open them to be part of the conversation between Stan and S. Tory Teller?