The Daily Fountain Devotional of the Church Of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) 10 January 2026 – Genuine Repentance
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TOPIC: Genuine Repentance
READ: Matthew 3:1-12 (KJV)
1 In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea,
2 And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.
3 For this is he that was spoken of by the prophet Esaias, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.
4 And the same John had his raiment of camel’s hair, and a leathern girdle about his loins; and his meat was locusts and wild honey.
5 Then went out to him Jerusalem, and all Judaea, and all the region round about Jordan,
6 And were baptized of him in Jordan, confessing their sins.
7 But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come?
8 Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance:
9 And think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham.
10 And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: therefore every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.
11 I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance. but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:
12 Whose fan is in his hand, and he will throughly purge his floor, and gather his wheat into the garner; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.
THE MESSAGE:
John the Baptist was in the desert of Judea preaching that the people should repent because the kingdom of Heaven was approaching. John’s dressing and food were ordinary. However, many people came to him to be baptised at River Jordan as they confessed their sins. John challenged the Pharisees and Sadducees who came for baptism to show the evidence of repentance and not to rely on just being the children of Abraham. He also told them that a greater personality was coming who would be more impactful.
Today, baptism that should be an outward visible sign of an inward spiritual grace, is now a mere outward ritual of the church which members just carry out to belong to the church. If John the Baptist were to be here today, his fiery words would have still have been “Brood of vipers!” The need for genuine repentance – a process that begins from the heart – must be emphasised. A proof is required in genuine repentance to discourage mere profession and outward show. The kingdom of God which John the Baptist preached about is only accessible to all who have genuinely repented of their sins. This prepares the repentant sinner for the refreshing that comes from the presence of the Lord (verses 11-12; Acts 3:19).
PRAYER: Father, I repent of all my sins; please send forth the refreshing that comes with Your Presence.
