What We Should Do

 Acts 26:20 (NIV) – "I preached that they should repent and turn to God and demonstrate their repentance by their deeds."

There are several sentences in the Bible that tell us what it means and takes to become a Christian. John 3:16 is the most quoted of these: “For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” (KJV)

Romans 10:9-10 is another succinct passage describing our part in the salvation Jesus brings. Ephesians 2:8-9, Romans 5:8 and 6:23 are also important, and John 1:12 says, “To all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.” (ESV)

Acts 26:20 is not often included in lists of verses we memorize, but it is the apostle Paul’s summary statement of the objective of his ministry. He was speaking to the highest-ranking audience he ever had with both the Roman Governor Porcius Festus and King Herod Agrippa. He had a chance to explain why he had sacrificed everything to follow Jesus and answer the call to take message of Christ’s hope throughout the known world.

Paul had a rare opportunity and limited time. He had to make every word count. Verse 20 is the succinct culmination of what he asked people to do to follow Jesus in three steps that are still essential steps in experiencing the life change and eternal life Jesus can bring today: 

Repent – This is not a popular word in our culture, but it is still the first step in becoming a Christian. It means a mind, heart, and attitude change. It is a recognition that many of the things I have done and wanted to do are not good. This sin has infected each of us and cuts us off from God. (Isaiah 59:2, Romans 3:23) Instead of seeking my own selfish and evil desires, when I repent, I admit I need help and can’t do it on my own. That leads to the second step Paul proclaimed.

Turn to God – No other person, program, or medication can set us free from sin. Jesus Christ came to earth as fully God and fully human. His death on the cross and Resurrection from the dead set us when we believe in him. (Romans 5:8 and 6:23) Those two first steps – repenting and turning to God – enable us to receive eternal life and a restored relationship with God (John 3:16), but the process is not over.

Demonstrate Repentance by Action – Following Jesus is a lifelong journey. If we truly repent, we will hate evil things we have done in the past. We will want to live differently. What we could not do one our own, we can when we turn to God as his Holy Spirit works in us to form us into the people he wants us to be. Being a Christian starts with a decision of faith, but that is not all it involves. Our actions should show we are changed people.

Where are you on the journey? If you have not yet come to place of taking each of these steps, I encourage you to do so today. Say to God, “Lord, I know I have done wrong. I repent. I turn to you and ask your forgiveness. I believe in Jesus Christ and that his death paid for my sin. Fill me with your Holy Spirit and empower me to live your way in all I do. In Jesus’ name, Amen.” When you pray a prayer like this, you will begin the life God has that billions of Christians have experienced since the apostle Paul first said these words.