Week of 4/14-4/20: New God Indwells His Covenant People

Day Three: Acts 2:37-42 When they heard this, they came under deep conviction and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles: “Brothers, what must we do?” “Repent,” Peter said to them, “and be baptized, each of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is for you and for your children, and for all who are far off, as many as the Lord our God will call.” And with many other words he testified and strongly urged them, saying, “Be saved from this corrupt generation!” So those who accepted his message were baptized, and that day about 3,000 people were added to them. And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread, and to the prayers.

A GROUP OF COLLEGE STUDENTS was driving from Virginia to Florida. At 2 a.m.near Jacksonville, Fla., the driver of the car mistakenly took an exit that headed west toward Alabama. An hour later one of the passengers noticed the car was headed in the wrong direction and began to freak out.

“You’re taking us the wrong way. We want Florida, not Alabama!” The driver offered a few pitiful excuses, which were quickly met with sarcastic comments from the passengers. Thankfully, the decision was then made to turn the car around.

You would probably think someone was crazy if they were driving a road into Alabama, yet said, “Don’t worry; I know this road ends in Alabama, but I am pretty sure we’ll end up in Florida.” That doesn’t even make sense!

Ironically, many people believe they can live how they want to in this life and still end up in heaven. They feel that even though they have never given God a second thought that they should still be in eternity with Him.

The truth is that salvation requires a change of direction. It is not sufficient to say, “I know I need to turn around to get to Florida”. You actually have to turn the car around. In the same way, it isn’t sufficient to say, “I know I sin” and not turn your life around.

Repentance is just that: turning from your sin 180 degrees and turning to God. It’s more than just admitting you’ve sinned. “I am sorry I sinned, but I will keep doing my thing” is not repentance. That’s a cheap shot at an apology. Repentance means begging God for forgiveness then walking away from sin. It does not mean you’re perfect and that you will not sin; however, it does mean that you are now walking with God and His direction.

PAUSE AND REFLECT

▷▷Has there been a time in your life when you “changed direction” and gave your life to Jesus?

▷▷If you have given your life to Jesus, how does your life look now compared to before?

▷▷Take a moment and pray for your friends who need to give their lives to Jesus.