Community Devotions

Bearing Fruits in Repentance

SCRIPTURE

No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish. Or those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them: do you think they were worse offenders than all the others who lived in Jerusalem? No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish. - Luke 13:3-5

OBSERVATION

Sin is sin. No matter how we slice it or dice it sin is sin before God. Whether it’s the garden variety sin of lying, not loving God, or coveting; or to “sins leading to death” like murder or theft—the solution is the same. Repentance, the act of grieving over sin, turning away from sin and running to God is the panacea to all the ills of sin. Jesus makes it explicitly clear that unless we repent we will perish. It’s interesting to note that immediately after this teaching in repentance, Luke juxtaposed this parable of a barren fig tree needing to be cut after three years of fruitlessness. It typically takes about two years for a fig tree to bear fruit. The gardener said to dig around the tree, fertilize it and if still doesn’t bear fruit after another year to chop it down. John the Baptist in Luke 3 says that we are to bear fruit in repentance. 

APPLICATION

Is there the fruit of repentance in my life? Or do I simply ask for forgiveness and repeat the same habitual sin in my life? God is so patient and long-suffering in his love for me. Psalm 103:10 says, "he does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities.” I want to repent and live in the freedom, joy and abundant life in Christ Jesus.

PRAYER

Heavenly Father,

I love you so much. Thank you for your loving patience and kindness that leads me to repentance. May I never take for granted or dishonor all that you have accomplished for me at the cross. Please continue to strengthen me with your spirit to repent so that times of refreshing may come. Maranatha!

The Costly Price of Repentance

SCRIPTURE

"But the king said to Araunah, “No, but I will buy it from you for a price. I will not offer burnt offerings to the Lord my God that cost me nothing.” So David bought the threshing floor and the oxen for fifty shekels of silver." - 2 Samuel 24:24

OBSERVATION

The price for genuine repentance is costly. It goes beyond the world sorrow of feeling bad but goes deep into the depths of godly grief. King David wanted to make an altar and offer burnt offerings for his sin of pride in counting his army. He saw a field to build the altar and offered to buy it. Araunah declined and wanted to give it David for free yet David insisted on paying for it. He resolved in his heart that he will not offer an offering to the Lord his God that cost him nothing.

APPLICATION

Sin costs. It cost God his very own son to grant me forgiveness. It cost the Son his very own life: shame, humiliation and being forsaken by the Father. Is there any cost in my repentance that reflects grief over my sin? Or do I genuinely seek repentance or do I simply want forgiveness? Points of Obedience:

• Grieve over habitual sin by fasting: anger, lust, bitterness, covetousness.

• Walk in freedom and gratitude: Jesus was crucified so that I don’t have to be. Live out the good news of forgiveness and freedom

• Live in resurrection power: Jesus died for the penalty of sin and death—he was resurrected to have victory over sin and death. 

PRAYER

Heavenly Father,

Thank you for paying it all on the cross for me. Thank you for the resurrection power that I don’t have to be enslaved to the mastery of sin. I repent and turn away from my old self. May there be depth and weight in my repentance. I love you and desire you more than anything else in the world. Continue to change my desire and heart so that there would be a taste aversion to the allures of the flesh. I love you. Maranatha!