REPENTANCE BRINGS GOOD FRUIT

REPENTANCE BRINGS GOOD FRUIT

Produce fruit in keeping with repentance. And do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham. The ax is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.”  “What should we do then?” the crowd asked.  John answered, “Anyone who has two shirts should share with the one who has none, and anyone who has food should do the same.”  Even tax collectors came to be baptized. “Teacher,” they asked, “what should we do?”  “Don’t collect any more than you are required to,” he told them.  Then some soldiers asked him, “And what should we do?”  He replied, “Don’t extort money and don’t accuse people falsely—be content with your pay.” —Luke 1:8-14

            John mentions that one who truly has repented, that is, has changed direction, would bear fruit accordingly.   Their life was going in one direction, doing what they desired and after repenting they are going in a different direction, doing what God desires.

            We are given three examples of the good fruit of repentance” 1- Helping the needy with clothes and food.  2- Honesty in business.  3- Honesty and contentment.  These are areas that will be seen in a person that has truly repented.  These good works do not save a person, but these good works are the fruit of salvation.  The person who has truly repented has a different mindset than they did before and also different actions than before.

            Look at your own life.  Is there evidence that you have truly repented and are saved?  Is there truly “good fruit” that indicates you are truly a child of God and a follower of Jesus?  It is God’s desire that we bear much fruit— “This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples” (John 15:8).  Oh that we would be doing so!

Dear Father may I bear the good fruit that You desire.  May this be so by the power of Your Holy Spirit and in the authority of Your Son Jesus. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-816LEY-F9U