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We need Christ’s power to repent

Cover of Daily Bible Readings for the Lord’s Household

Today's Devotional

God exalted him at his right hand as Leader and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. Acts 5:31 ESV.

Every sinner ought to repent, for God commands him.… We often try to repent, and cannot; our hearts are so hard, they will not relent; our eyes are so dry, they will not weep. This is a source of grief, and sometimes furnishes Satan with matter for temptation, with which he distresses us. We must see that repentance is necessary, we must feel the desire to repent, and then we must look to Jesus for grace to enable us to repent.… What God requires of us as creatures, Jesus gives us grace to perform as Christians. Everything, therefore, should lead us to Christ, and to make use of his fulness.

About the author and the source

Rev. James Smith was a Baptist and the predecessor of Charles Spurgeon at New Park Street Chapel in London (1841–1850). He wrote a book of morning devotions for the people he pastored. It was so well received he added an evening devotion, and then a book of daily contemplations on short Scriptures, Daily Bible Readings for the Lord’s Household.

James Smith. Daily Bible Readings for the Lord’s Household. London: Thomas Nelson, 1850.

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