How can believers today "prove their repentance by their deeds"? Setting the Stage with Acts 26:20 “ …but declared first to those in Damascus, then in Jerusalem and throughout Judea, and to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, performing works worthy of repentance.” (Acts 26:20) Paul ties three inseparable realities together: • Repent—change mind and direction. • Turn to God—place faith in Him alone. • Perform works worthy of repentance—live a visibly transformed life. The third element proves the first two are genuine. What Repentance Really Means • Repentance is not mere regret; it is “godly sorrow” that “brings repentance that leads to salvation without regret” (2 Corinthians 7:10-11). • It begins internally (mind and heart) and inevitably flows externally (actions and habits). • Scripture insists on tangible evidence: “Produce fruit, then, in keeping with repentance” (Matthew 3:8). The Fruit God Looks For 1. Changed Relationships – Forgiving others just as we have been forgiven (Ephesians 4:32). – Seeking reconciliation when we’ve caused harm (Matthew 5:23-24). 2. Moral Turnarounds – Leaving sinful practices behind: “He who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must labor” (Ephesians 4:28). – Replacing impurity with holiness (1 Thessalonians 4:3-5). 3. Generous Compassion – Sharing resources: “Whoever has two tunics should share with the one who has none” (Luke 3:11). – Caring for widows, orphans, the poor (James 1:27). 4. Consistent Obedience – Obedience becomes the new pattern, not the exception (John 14:15). – Growth in the Spirit’s fruit—love, joy, peace, etc. (Galatians 5:22-24). 5. Bold Witness – Publicly identifying with Christ in word and deed (Acts 1:8; Philippians 2:15-16). – Living so others “see your good deeds and glorify your Father” (Matthew 5:16). Daily Practices That Demonstrate Repentance • Quick Confession: keep short accounts with God (1 John 1:9). • Restitution: where possible, make wrongs right (Luke 19:8-9). • Accountability: invite trusted believers to speak into your life (Hebrews 3:13). • Scripture Saturation: let the Word renew thinking and behavior (Psalm 119:11; Romans 12:2). • Active Service: use gifts to build up the body of Christ (1 Peter 4:10). • Regular Self-Examination: test actions against the standard of God’s Word (2 Corinthians 13:5). Guardrails to Keep the Heart Soft • Stay amazed at grace—remember the pit from which He rescued you (Psalm 40:2). • Remain teachable—welcome correction (Proverbs 9:8-9). • Hold eternity in view—“We must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ” (2 Corinthians 5:10). • Lean on the Spirit’s power—“Walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh” (Galatians 5:16). Encouragement from Scripture “Being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will continue to perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 1:6) God both calls and enables His people to “prove their repentance by their deeds.” He supplies grace; we supply obedience. The result is a testimony that points unmistakably to the transforming power of the gospel. |
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