Acts of Repentance: Part 3

When we come to salvation, we are a “new creation” (2 Corinthians 5:17). We begin a new “life” (Romans 6:4). In the new life God has deeds for us to complete, which He prepared for us in anticipation of our salvation (Ephesians 2:10). Paul describes these as “deeds appropriate to repentance” (Acts 26:20). Included in these is our responsibility to care for the less fortunate. They also call us to have integrity in financial matters and legal matters.

Tax collectors were instructed to “Collect no more than what you have been ordered to” (Luke 3:13). Tax collectors became rich by collecting more money than the tax law called for. Likewise, soldiers were told, “Do not take money from anyone by force” (Luke 3:14). Some soldiers used the threat of violence to extort money from the people they policed.

To both groups the message was the same, do not use the opportunity given to you by your power and position to steal from people (Exodus 20:15). It also echoes Leviticus 19:11 “Do not steal, nor deal falsely, nor lie to one another.” Instead, we are to “Do justice and righteousness, and deliver the one who has been robbed” (Jeremiah 22:3).

We also show financial integrity by having “fair weights and measures” (Deuteronomy 25:15). This principle means we do not cheat employers, employees or clients/customers in our business dealings. Employers pay fair wages because “the worker is worth his wages” (Matthew 10:10). Employees will put forth their best efforts and “do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men,” (Colossians 3:24).

We are also to show integrity in legal matters. John the Baptist taught that Christians were not to “accuse anyone falsely” (Luke 3:14). This statement affirms both the ninth commandment against bearing “false witness” (Exodus 20:16) and the admonition to “keep far from a false charge” (Exodus 23:7) The Old testament labeled people that falsely accused others as a “malicious witness” (Exodus 23:1). The punishment for a man being a malicious witness was “you shall do to him just as he had intended to do to his brother” (Deuteronomy 19:19).

We are not to compromise justice by acquitting persons that violate the law. God’s justice requires the fair application of the law, “Acquitting the guilty and condemning the innocent – Yehovah detests them both” (Proverbs 17:15). We stand for truth and “Do not follow the majority when they do wrong or when they give testimony that perverts justice” (Exodus 23:2). Finally, we will not “call evil good, and good evil” (Isaiah 5:20). We may pay a price for taking a stand but it is what God expects (Acts 5:29).

The “fruit in keeping with repentance” has very practical applications. It helps define how we “love our neighbors as ourselves” (Matthew 22:39). As we produce the fruit we are obedient to God’s commandments and thus we are obedient to “love Yehovah your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind” (Matthew 22:37).