SCRIPTURE: Acts 26:19-32
“I preached that they should repent and turn to God and demonstrate their repentance by their deeds.” (Acts 26:20)
We were made to live with, like and for God, as His God-like rulers.
Sin is turning away from God, from His character, from His purpose.
The kingdom of light has become a dominion of darkness, a foretaste of hell.
God sends Jesus to take back humanity for Himself, to restore us to our God-given calling.
We need to respond to this message with more than mental agreement to the message.
We need to repent, to change our heart towards God, and to change the way we live.
If faith is not accompanied by heart change and life change, it is not faith.
I need to demonstrate my repentance and faith by following Jesus, obeying Him.
Do I really believe that Jesus is God’s Messiah, the new beginning for God’s kingdom?
Do I really hate what sin represents, and how it distorts my own life as well?
Do I really love Who God is, what He is doing, and desire to join with Him?
Do I really want to be God’s Servant, like Jesus, living my life to bless others?
Don’t just say you believe it, demonstrate it… put your words into action.
“What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them?” (James 2:14)
“The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.” (Galatians 5:6)
What do you sense the Lord saying to you?
PRAYER
Lord, help me to move beyond being religious and going to church, help me to demonstrate my repentance through good deeds.
Jesus follower
trying to find His way
Observations/Application
God gives His people strength if we but obey His Word. Do this and Live. That’s what the Master said. Live and do this.
Those who do not have the ears to hear the Word of the Lord will go their own way and think all is foolishness. And our thinking has influence upon others and others influence our thinking. ‘Bad company’ corrupts our minds. Our ways are influenced by the company we keep because our actions are to win their approval and not God’s. Words and deeds go together. We/I must show that I am alive in Christ Jesus by what I say and do.
God empowered Paul to be a living letter – an epistle – read by all.
I must do the same.
All for Jesus in His name.
God gives His people strength;
If we believe in His way
He’s swift to repay
All those who bare the burden of the day;
God gives His people strength.
God gives His people love;
If we but open wide our heart
He’s sure to do His part
He’s always the first to make a start;
God gives His people love.
God gives His people peace;
When sorrow fills us to brim
And courage grows dim
He lays to rest our restlessness in Him.
God gives His people peace.