Luke 3:7-8a (ESV) He said therefore to the crowds that came out to be baptized by him, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bear fruits in keeping with repentance.
Apparently getting baptized by John was the in thing and many crowds came to be baptized. But just getting wet for public display was not going to do any good. John called out those who were outwardly saying they were repenting, but were not bearing the fruit of repentance. As we’ll see, repentance is not just saying the right words. Repentance is not simply saying sorry, forgive me so I won’t face any consequences. True repentance is evidenced by changed fruit in a person’s life. We’re going to see examples from John shortly.
Luke 3:9 (ESV) Even now the axe is laid to the root of the trees. Every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.”
The stakes regarding repentance are very high, a person’s eternal destiny is at stake. Jesus used this same imagery of those who claimed to repent and believe, but whose lives never changed. People who do not bear good fruit will ultimately be thrown into the fire of hell. What does it mean to bear good fruit? The people asked John “What then shall we do?”
Luke 3:11 (ESV) And he answered them, “Whoever has two tunics is to share with him who has none, and whoever has food is to do likewise.”
The first fruit of repentance is to share what you have with others and not hoard it for yourself. John mentions two necessities of life, food and clothing are to be shared. So the first sin to be repented of is not sharing with those who have little. This is a sin of omission, the kind we rarely think about.
Luke 3:12-13 (ESV) Tax collectors also came to be baptized and said to him, “Teacher, what shall we do?” And he said to them, “Collect no more than you are authorized to do.”
Tax collectors of the time were notorious for collecting more than the government required to pad their own pockets. It was an accepted practice for tax collectors, but it made them hated by the people. Rather than trying to get rich by overcharging, they were to only collect what was required The third example was that soldiers extort money from people, but be content with their salaries. In all examples, the good fruit of repentance was demonstrated in how other people were treated. So, let’s see how we can better understand repentance for our own lives.
We are beginning to better understand repentance. Repentance makes a difference in the fruit of one’s life. Repentance changes the things that we do. Repentance involves both sins of not doing what we should do, as well as doing the things we shouldn’t do. This is how we draw closer to God for the first time and how we grow closer to Him after we’re saved.
Sometimes, people tell those who aren’t saved that they can just believe in Jesus and not change their sinful lifestyle. That’s not true. The first step to become a follower of Jesus is repentance. Remember, repentance is a change of mind about our sin, leading to a changed life. Will God help you bear good fruit, absolutely. But you will need to make the decision to repent first.
For those of us who are saved, we are to confess our sins and repent on a daily basis. Jesus taught us to …Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who have sinned against us. A lifestyle of repentance is the key to getting closer to God. Repentance leads the believer to …