“Sorrow for sin is important, but repentance demands a change in behavior.”
Thoughts from daily Bible reading for today – June 6, 2024
So then, King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the vision from heaven. First to those in Damascus, then to those in Jerusalem and in all Judea, and then to the Gentiles, I preached that they should repent and turn to God and demonstrate their repentance by their deeds. Acts 26:19-20, NIV
Two of my children are in a season of life in which they are like oil and water. If you leave them alone for more than 15 seconds, they are bound to find something that they disagree about, some way in which the other has deeply violated their God-given rights and freedoms, and the only solution is to come running to their mother or me to sort out this grave injustice. This means that we, as parents, are frequently encouraging our children to apologize to one another and to be quick to ask for forgiveness.
It isn’t uncommon for a fight to break out; both kids eventually apologize and ask for forgiveness, and then, within a matter of seconds, dive right back into the same behavior that they have apologized for just moments before!
Though you may smile or chuckle at the pettiness of this childhood squabble, there is a universal truth contained within this example: the older we get, the higher the stakes. In fact, by design, God has given children the gift of parents to help them learn these vital lessons when the stakes are low and mistakes are less costly. Yet if a child blows through this season and carries this same attitude into a marriage or workplace, the results are disastrous.
Sorrow for sin is important, but repentance demands a change in behavior.
As Paul says in Acts 26, the beginning of our life with Christ is a turning to God in response to his loving invitation. Yet this is not a one-time turning but is a daily posture and foundational disposition of the rest of our lives. And, most importantly, it is not merely an emotion, but is an emotion that proves itself to be true in and through the way we live our lives. We must demonstrate the truth of our repentance by living holy and contrite lives that bear witness to the transforming power of God at work in our lives.
Prayer
Father, may we have repentant hearts that demonstrate our love for you through acts of love toward you and service of our neighbor, we pray through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Application
What does it look like for you to demonstrate your repentance today?
Related Reading
Matthew 3:8-9; James 4:8; 1 John 1:9
Worship Resource
The Worship Initiative feat. Davy Flowers: Repent (What a Joy It Is)
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