The Fruit of Repentance
John the Baptist was preaching in the Desert of Judea, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near" (Matthew 3:1). Many people heard and received his message of repentance. As the penitent people confessed their sins, John the Baptist brought them down to the Jordan River and baptized them there (Matthew 3:6).
However, some people, namely the Pharisees and the Sadducees, came to hear John's message and observe the "repentance movement." They really did not accept and receive the message of repentance preached by John the Baptist.
This caused him to make an important statement directed to the Pharisees and Sadducees as well as all of those truly involved in the "repentance movement:"
"PRODUCE FRUIT IN KEEPING WITH REPENTANCE"
Those who refuse to repent will, at some time, face judgment. Those who do repent will escape judgment. But true repentance is seen by the fruit it produces.
What kind of fruit is God looking for from those who truly repent?
First, God is looking for repentant people who turn away from sin and sincerely turn to God. He is looking for a real change in the character of the person. With God's help, one can develop Christ-like character. This is a process. It happens as we live a life-style of daily and personal repentance. The Pharisees and the Sadducees thought they were righteous, but the fruit of their lives revealed a different story, a prideful heart – not the kind of character God was looking for. If they would have truly repented, they could have produced "fruit in keeping with repentance."
Second, building on the change in character is doing actions congruent with the Word of God and God's Will and Purpose. If we are to live a "lifestyle of repentance," our words and activities must back up what we say. In other words, there needs to be integrity between word and deed. God evaluates our words by the actions that follow. Do our deeds match our words?
Third, repentance is anchored in the heart. God is always looking to the heart. It is there that God can clearly see what our true motives are. Only the Holy Spirit can transform our hearts to develop a "heart after God's own heart." A right heart has to do with total surrender to God and trusting completely in the grace of God.
Fourth, a lifestyle of repentance is seated in humility. To be truly repentant is to be humble and looking to deal with the "log in our own eye" rather than the "speck in our brother's eye." It also includes being loving in judging others, patience under the greatest afflictions and to be thankful for every mercy God gives to us.
Fifth, to produce "fruit worthy of repentance" means to "watch and pray not to fall into temptation." Prayer is an act of humility, an act of repentance. It is inviting the Holy Spirit into our lives to guide and to empower us to live an ongoing life of repentance which produces great and abiding fruit to God's glory and honor and praise!
The fruit of repentance is reflected in a person who has yielded to God's unending love and is living a life of God's abundant grace furthering the kingdom of God on earth.
Lord, empower us by Your Spirit to live such lives of repentance today and every day in Jesus' Name! Amen!
Pastor Bjorn Pedersen
Enter your email address below to receive regular updates from ReignDown USA.