LAST-MINUTE REPENTANCE?(9).

*WISDOM FOR TODAY.*

*LAST-MINUTE REPENTANCE? (9).*

*Scripture Treasure.*

Matt 3:8 *Bring forth fruits worthy of repentance.*

*Insight and Highlight.*

People claim to have confessed and repented, but there are no fruit to show they ever repented.

*Scripture Commentaries.*

Fruit worthy of repentance is the ability to show through your behaviour that you have truly changed and turned a new leaf.

It expresses a situation where we change from our old sinful ways. It is living a life of fear of God.

The new behavior must be worth the repentance, meaning people must see that repentance truly changed your life.

People must see the transformative power of Christ at work in your life.

Repentance is both transformative (immediate change) and transformational (change that influences others to change).

Repentance is a complete turn from sin.

You can not claim to have repented yet exhibit sinfulness and carnality.

While the bible says we are complete in Him, Col 2:10, there are still some of our attitudes that are not Christ-like.

We often express remorse, which suggests we are sorry for our wrong, but we do not turn away from our wrong.

Attimes people wilfully do wrong hoping to escape with a sorry or expression of remorse.

Some are habitual offenders who are so quick to express remorse yet repeat the same offenses. This is why 2 Cor 7:10 tells us about godly sorrow, which explains repentance beyond expression of remorse.

John the Baptist and Jesus were calling for the total change of a person.

Repentance changes a person among which are changes in ego and personality, but God still retains and encourages your ability to be purpose driven and kingdom.

God will not limit our abilities in what He has freely given us, ref Prov 22:29.

A very influential passage on altered ego expected by God is in Luke 14:11 *For whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.*

The way we can know a repentant heart is the demonstration of a genuine change of heart and a commitment to purity.

So it is not sufficient for you to say you have repented, but you must alter your behaviour. Your present behaviour must bear resemblance to godliness.

Your visible actions—often called "works" - are what people see, and without your telling them you have repented, they believe you have repented through the works you do.

When you tell people you are a repentant sinner, many would want to wait and see the fruit you would show.

A Christian's actions and works speak louder than his words.

Remember you are not sorry until sorrowful.

You are not sorrowful until you regret over your failures and never again to repeat itself.

Choose repentance now rather than later!

*Remorse corner.*

Telling people you have repented does not mean much to them as seeing you show fruit

worthy of repentance.

*Call to Word action*

The essence of repentance is a complete change from sin. Repentance is a complete 'U' turn ( a change of direction), not a '360' turn (that returns you to the original starting point) ref 1 Pet 2:9.

*The Christian clarion duty.*

Continue to walk daily, reflecting true repentance, rather than merely expressing remorse. 

*Prayer.*

Lord, hep me to repent and make a change of direction from darkness to light in Jesus name.

Good morning all, and have a blessed day.

God bless you.