Bible Verse of The Day – 5-23-22

Matthew 3:8 (NKJV) 8 Therefore bear fruits worthy of repentance…

As I recently finished reading through the Old Testament, and began the New Testament again, this verse caught my attention.

The New King James (NKJV) translation, which is shown above, doesn’t really stand out or draw a lot of attention. But when I looked at a couple other translations, the depth and importance of this verse became very, very clear and easy to see.

Here it is again, but in the New Living Translation (NLT).

Matthew 3:8 (NLT) 8 Prove by the way you live that you have repented of your sins and turned to God.

This really leaps out when it comes to understanding what it means.

Now, because I don’t like to rely on only one translation for studying, I also checked two or three other translations, including the Amplified Bible (AMPC). Here’s what it said:

Matthew 3:8 (AMPC) 8 Bring forth fruit that is consistent with repentance [let your lives prove your change of heart];

In looking at this verse across the various translations, it becomes very clear that repentance is necessary in a believer’s life.

Repentance is the proof that our heart has been changed; we have been touched by the Spirit of God and changed by the blood of Christ.

You see, without (sincere, genuine) repentance, there is no difference between us and those who have never encountered Christ. We are the same.

The lives of believers should show fruit. And if we look at the verse at the very beginning of this devotional, we will see that the NKJV translation references this by saying, “bear fruits worthy of repentance”.

Our lives should bear fruit that proves that we have repented; turned from our sins and taken a new direction.

As the NLT states, “Prove by the way you live that you have repented of your sins”.

This is something that’s so important for us all to understand.

It is foundational to our walk with Christ.

And as the AMPC translation clearly states, “let your lives prove your change of heart”.

Pastor Curt & Pastor Ellie

Seven Seas Ministries
49 N Lamplighters Walk
Hampstead, NC 28443

401-439-3780