The Fruit of Repentance
Read the Text: Matthew 3
Memorize the Text: Don’t think that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to abolish but to fulfill. (Matthew 5:17)
Consider the Text: Matthew 3:1-12
Matthew 3 opens with the introduction of John the Baptist and concludes with the baptism of Jesus. As Matthew unfolded the story, two verses stand out as pivotal. First, in verse 2, John the Baptist calls for repentance. Second, in verse 8, John the Baptist challenges believers to live out the fruit of repentance. These two verses promote the understanding of the fruit of repentance. So how does Matthew 3 challenge us today?
First, we see the CALL TO REPENTANCE. John the Baptist declared that people needed to repent since the kingdom of God has come near. The call to repentance means a call to genuine faith. Repentance begins with recognizing one's wrongful condition, involves seeking forgiveness from the Lord, and includes a turn from the direction of the wrongful state toward the ways of the Lord. The activity of repentance means one abandons the ways of the flesh and pursues the Lord.
The needed repentance comes with the reality that the opportunity for turning to the Lord remains limited. The limitation exists since the coming of the kingdom of God is a promise that will occur. Therefore, the coming of the kingdom marks the end of the opportunity for one to repent and turn to the Lord. Knowing this truth, John the Baptist calls people to turn from their wicked ways and to the Lord in repentance.
Second, we see the CAUTION OF RELIGION. Religion does not save anyone. A person can be very religious and still far away from the Lord. In Matthew 3, John the Baptist converses with the Pharisees and the Sadducees. These two groups were Jewish religious groups of the day. Each of them equated their religious faithfulness as a proving ground for acceptance by the Lord. John the Baptist clarifies that their religious activity does not redeem them. Still, he continues to identify them as separated from the Lord.
The threat of religious activity as a means for believing one's status before the Lord is okay continues today. When not cautious, one can equate their obedience to the Lord with one's service in the community, attendance in church, or participation in activities at church. In and of themselves, these activities are not wrong but must not become the attempted means of one's salvation.
Third, we see the COMMAND TO LIVE OUT THE FRUIT OF REPENTANCE. John the Baptist declared that one's life ought to produce the fruit of their repentance. Thus, the fruit ought to resemble the kingdom of God since repentance leads to turning one's life to living in pursuit of the ways of God. The fruit of repentance occurs not because of religious activity but comes from the repentant heart.
The expectation of bearing the fruit of repentance did not exist as a momentary command but continues to be the expectation in the believer's life. As a believer, one seeks to live in a manner that reflects Christ and produces fruit for the kingdom of God. This occurs while the Christian must guard against the threat of trusting in their religious activity as the justification of their life before the Lord.
What have you done with the call to repentance? Have you responded? Are you resting in religious as a justification before the Lord, or are you living in a relationship with Jesus? What fruit are you bearing?
This blog is part of the Coffee and Quiet Time with Jesus Devotional Series found at equippingfaith.com. Join the journey of reading through the New Testament this year. More information can be found at equippingfaith.com.
