“Our Daily Bread” http://odb.org/
The Daily Devotions of Greg Laurie
http://www.harvest.org/devotional/daily-devotions/home.ht
“Homily Grits Devotional” http://www.homilygrits.com/
Written by the wise 84 yr old Robert VanHoose, who writes the “Homily Grits Devotional” above…
January 18
Read Matthew 3,
Joel 2
“The Sincerity of Repentance”
“Wash yourselves and be clean! Get your sins out of my sight. Give up your evil ways..” Isaiah 1:16 NLT
John the Baptist recognized the hypocrisy of the Scribes and Pharisees. As he baptized with the baptism of repentance he reminded them that they needed to bear fruits as proof of the sincerity of their repentance.
Jesus had little patience with the hypocrisy and insincerity of the Scribes and Pharisees. He said they were like white washed tombs which looked beautiful on the outside, but were full of dead men’s bones, and everything impure. We should all pray that He never say the same about us.
Whether we are confessing and repenting of our sins in order to be saved, or for receiving the forgiveness we need for the sins we commit on a daily basis, we also need to bear fruits worthy of our repentance. When it comes to faith or sorrow for our sins, our actions speak louder than our words.
Jesus’ call to faith and repentance is first and foremost an interior call to our hearts. The outward expressions of sorrow and apology mean nothing if they do not come from a sincere heart.
True internal repentance should always be accompanied by an external expression of the fruit of righteousness. Whether it is prayer, fasting or giving true repentance, it should always be accompanied by outward signs that signify an inward change.
Sincere love expressed in loving others by forgiving, praying, and helping them in any way will always cover a multitude of sins when done out of a broken spirit and contrite heart.
When we approach God’s throne of grace to confess, repent, and seek forgiveness for our sins, may we never forget to approach with sincerity and truth, and offer and correct our ways to validate our true repentance.
Father, help me to prove the sincerity of my repentance. In Jesus’ name, Amen
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