MONDAY - 27TH MAY, 2024
MORNING WINGS DAILY DEVOTIONAL - Olusola ADEJUMO
FRUITS WORTHY OF REPENTANCE
Luke 3:7-8, KJV
"7 Then said he to the multitude that came forth to be baptized of him, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come? 8 Bring forth therefore fruits worthy of repentance, and begin not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, That God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham."
Seek to live the blessed life. The blessed life is one with corresponding fruits to show for it. Repentance has been reduced to confession of faults or sins only. Rather, it is weighty to acknowledge that it involves change of life or character. Asking for forgiveness with constant repeat of same issue doesn't typifies repentance. As such, be weaned from religion and come into the light of spirituality.
John tells all those who turn out to hear his message to bring forth fruits worthy of repentance. If you say you repented and the old has not passed away in your life, then you can't be deemed to have repented let alone prove same with fruits of christlikeness which justifies such repentance. II Cor. 5:17 would have been of no effect in your life also. God is calling for a life full of acts and not one full of mere confessions. Many put up much confessions yet aren't changing at all. Stop the form; pick up the practice.
Zaccheaus is one who brings forth fruits worthy of repentance. Jesus is at dinning in his house. Here goes Zaccheaus.
Luke 19:8, KJV
"And Zacchaeus stood, and said unto the Lord; Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken any thing from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold."
He not only restored but as following fair justice system, he added a rental. If their money had been with them, wouldn't it have yielded an increase in one venture or the other? So, the need to pay rental with it.
Seeing this freewill prompted act, Jesus in awe, acknowledgement and commendation of Zaccheaus says, "this day is salvation come to this house, forsomuch as he also is a son of Abraham" (Luke 19:9, KJV). Zaccheaus takes a turn and that act depicts repentance, change of heart and life. And that's what God focuses on. That's what He wants you to be filled with. That's a step towards salvation for any who carries it. Not one whose mouth is full of God but whose heart is far away. Repentance is first of all of the heart. It's a decision to change and then change lifestyle and live in the newness of another life as stipulated by God's Word and any upright law set in the society. When the audience of Peter were pricked in their heart, they asked, "what shall we do?" (Acts 2:37).
"38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost."
Peter recommended repentance - turning a new leaf or the forsaking of one's sins. "Doing" is what brings in change. It is what you do and keep doing that proves and establishes your repentance. You once stole, steal no more but willingly work with your hands now (Eph.4:28). That'll be repentance. It's not saying, "I'm sorry Lord" without forsaking that evil way. You truly are sorry when your grieve or sorrow of heart leads to repentance and you turn a new leaf bringing forth fruits worthy of repentance. If you have truly repented, "you'll become a new man, old things will therefore pass away and all things will be new (as revealed in your new walks and works).
Brethren, what do you need to repent of? Search yourself and let the godly sorrow coming from this message lead you to repentance. Do you feel sorry? You'll be doing something about it if you let that act you did be the last. Be known for a new life now and sooner you'll be called a new name and identified by a new identity. You shall no longer be called "scorpion", "poison", "slayer" etc again.
PRAYER: Lord, forgive my misdeeds. Help my decision to follow the godly path.
BIBLE IN A YEAR: 2 Samuel 7:1-8:18, John 14:15-31, Psalm 119:33-48, Proverbs 15:33
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