The Fruit of Repentance

Bear fruit that befits repentance. (Matt. 3:8)

Matt. 3:1-10; Ezekiel 18:31; Roman 3:23; Luke 13:1-5; 2Timothy 2:25

What Is God Saying?

The Pharisees were on the fringe of the crowd that day but center stage when John the Baptist addressed his pointed remarks to them. John was not interested in winning friends and influencing people. Standing before a gathering of people and calling them a ‘brood of vipers fleeing from wrath,’ slithering away in haste from a field on fire is highly irregular. ‘Who warned you? Why did you come? What good will it do you with your mindset to hear what I have to say?’

Of course, they came out of curiosity and not a little worried because they were the religious experts. They needed to know what this wild-eyed denizen of the desert was all about. What made him tick? This v0ice out here in the wilderness, this character robed in an unwashed and scratchy garment of camel's hair who sustained himself on locusts and wild honey. He had so little going for him. Yet he was getting the crowds and stirring them up. We should look into him. We must put our followers straight. Don't they count on us for religious expertise?

How Does This Apply To Us?

We pride ourselves on being more humble than the Pharisees. We want no part of their stuffed-shirt religious propriety. But are we excited about having done with the past and moving on to the future that Christ has for us? Do we see our shortcomings as being not so good but not all that bad? ‘We have all sinned’ (Romans 3:23), and we all need to repent. Be sure to read Luke 13:1-5.

Pray With Me

God, You are absolute truth and goodness. Give me an of Your wrath against all untruth and hypocrisy. I read of Your righteous anger against the sin of the Pharisee. Let this not fall in vain on my ears.

To fill my heart with Your peace and joy, turn my night of broken dreams into a day of bright fulfillment, and open the door to the Kingdom that is right at hand. You are only waiting until my repentance is genuine—something more than a mumbled, empty ritual. I cannot mutter it under my breath as a resented obligation, nor can I murmur it as a half-sincere and shallow gesture. It must mean something or nothing.

Lead me, Lord, until I loathe empty words, easily spoken. Help me to take the difficult step, at any cost to pride, down any road of humiliation, in utter disregard for personal comfort and advantage, until I bring forth fruit that befits repentance. Against You, You only, have I sinned. To You, You only, do I look for liberating grace and pardon. Your reconciling love in Christ assures me that You will understand and support my feeble, honest effort to repent. Amen.

Moving On In The Life Of Prayer

Is our life bearing the fruit of repentance? We must ensure that our repentance is not passive negativism: feeling sorry for ourselves, wallowing in our guilt, and reveling in our misery.

Let us also recognize the difference between the repentance John called for and the repentance Jesus taught. John said in no uncertain terms, "Repent and shape up," and the message is valid. Jesus said, "Repent and believe in the Gospel (or receive the Good News),” Mk 1:15. As the Gospel is a gift, so repentance in the New Testament sense is a gift of God (Acts 5:31; 11:18; Romans 2:4; II Timothy 2:25(c) KJV).

When repentance is wedded to the Good News (and it always should be), we are given the power to change. Kneel in repentance, then get up and go on faith.

• Not only off with the old but on with the new.

• Not only dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus (Romans 6:11).

• We are sorry we failed in the past, but now, as a new creation in Christ, we are ready to come out on top as the road stretches into the future.