Repentant Fruit

While dragon fruit may need to repent, this is not the fruit I’m talking about. Fruit refers to the way we live our lives. Do we live our lives for Christ, or do we live our lives for Satan, the dragon, or ourselves?

Repentance is not just being sorry. To repent means to change our mind on what we’re doing. It’s what the Apostle Paul calls the renewing of our minds (Romans 12:2). It’s changing the way we think about sin.

John the Baptist said, “Therefore bear fruits worthy of repentance.” (Luke 3:8a)

The fruit of repentance is the starting point of the Christian journey. It’s admitting we’re not walking with God and our need for Jesus’ sacrifice for sin. If such repentance has occurred then we’d be seeing its fruit in our lives.

In Matthew 7:20 Jesus said, “By their fruits you will know them.”

John the Baptist went on to tell us not to rely upon anything else for our salvation.

“Do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’” (Luke 3:8b)

Your family tree may be righteous, but that doesn’t mean you are. And just because you’re better than the next person doesn’t make you righteous either; only belief in Jesus Christ, confession of sin, and repentance accomplishes that.

The Bible knows nothing of a faith that does not lead to a changed life.

Jesus said, “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word.” (John 14:23a)

The Apostle James said, “Faith without deeds is dead.” (James 2:26b)

There’s an urgency expressed by the Baptist as he goes on to say, “Even now the ax is laid to the root of the trees. Therefore every tree which does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.” (Luke 3:9)

Don’t wait to make this change. Remember sin is not excusable, “The wages of sin is death.” (Romans 6:23)

Therefore, “Prepare the way of the Lord; make His paths straight.” (Luke 3:4b)