Peter through the power granted to him, from high, had just healed a lame man, which caused a great reaction from the people around. Peter made it clear, that in himself, he had no power to do such things. Acts 3: 16 “And His name, through faith in His name, has made this man strong, whom you see and know. Yes, the faith which comes through Him has given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all.” He then went on to point out that they had ignorantly wronged Jesus, and that it had been prophesied that Jesus would suffer and die. In recognition of their part in bringing those prophesies to fulfillment, they should now, Verse 19 “Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord.”
I don’t think anyone would contend, that they always do right, and have no need to repent, and ask for forgiveness from God, through His Son Jesus. I thank God, that He brings me back to right doing through the writings in scripture, and the ‘still small voice’ of the Holy Spirit in my heart. 1 Colossians 3: 16 “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.” Paul and his associates, thanked God for the love and faith in Jesus of the Colossian fellowship, and prayed specifically for them; and I delight in praying that prayer for myself. Colossians 1: 9 – 12 “………..ask that you (I) may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; that you (I) may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, for all patience and longsuffering with joy; giving thanks to the Father who has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light.”
I am so glad for the many promises, that by ‘beholding Jesus’ I will be more filled with and manifesting more the fruit of the Spirit in my daily life. Jesus Himself said, Matthew 12 34 – 37 “………. For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings fourth good things, and an evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth evil things. But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of Judgment. For by your words you will be justified and by your words you will be condemned.”
The apostles grew strong and fearless in their love for God and His Son, after the death, and resurrection of Jesus. John lovingly guided the church, and us, as we read his words, 1 John 2: 5, 6 “But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him, by this we know that we are in Him. He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked.” Jesus when living on earth, told His followers, that He was going to prepare a home in heaven for those who accept and follow Him. With this assurance based on what John personally had heard Jesus say, he confidently said, verse 25 “And this is the promise that He has promised us—eternal life.”
Dear Jesus, I am encouraged by Your words, and those of Your faithful apostles; as my strong desire continues to be, to walk faithfully as You walked, and to be able to welcome You with joy at Your second coming, with the hope of eternal life burning in my heart..