How many of you are truly walking out of repentance? Are you bearing fruit worthy of the repentance you have confessed? “Therefore, King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision, but declared first to those in Damascus and in Jerusalem, and throughout all the region of Judea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent, turn to God, and do works befitting repentance.” Repentance leads to life, not back into sin. “When they heard these things they became silent; and they glorified God, saying, “Then God has also granted to the Gentiles REPENTANCE TO LIFE.” There is a segment of Christianity that still embraces sin, and will argue with you defending sin. They call themselves, “Sinners saved by grace.” They believe it’s all about confession, but that confession doesn’t enter their heart. “Therefore the Lord said: “Inasmuch as these people draw near with their mouths And honor Me with their lips, But have removed their hearts far from Me, And their fear toward Me is taught by THE COMMANDMENT OF MEN,” Jesus said these same words in Matthew 15:7-9.
Bearing fruit worthy of repentance is demonstrating the goodness of God to others. It was the goodness of God that led you to repent, then you must demonstrate that goodness to others. “Or do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance?” Did you know that goodness is a fruit of the spirit? “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self–control. Against such there is no law.” My Father’s goodness is your entry into the spirit. He is so good that He sent His Son to die for your sins, to remove sins so you can bear fruit to God. “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” “This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that CHRIST JESUS CAME INTO THE WORLD TO SAVE SINNERS, of whom I am chief. However, FOR THIS REASON I OBTAINED MERCY, that in me first Jesus Christ might show all longsuffering, as a pattern to those who are going to believe on Him for everlasting life.” Paul was a pattern to follow. He told the church in Corinth “Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ.” Paul followed Jesus’s faith and so should we. Jesus walked with God here on earth; we are to walk with Jesus here on earth. Paul understood this. “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.” Do not let the doctrine of men which makes God’s word of no effect in your life rob you of what God has for you, life in the spirit. “And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.” The doctrine of men,” Sinner saved by grace,” has no life in it because sin robs you of that life. “The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.”
I pray that your eyes are enlightened to a repented heart. “My son, give attention to my words; Incline your ear to my sayings. Do not let them depart from your eyes; Keep them in the midst of your heart; For they are life to those who find them, And health to all their flesh. Keep your heart with all diligence, FOR OUT OF IT SPRING THE ISSUES OF LIFE. Put away from you a deceitful mouth, And put perverse lips far from you. Let your eyes look straight ahead, And your eyelids look right before you. Ponder the path of your feet, And let all your ways be established. Do not turn to the right or the left; Remove your foot from evil.” Be blessed, my friends.
