Bear fruit in keeping with repentance. And do not presume to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father,’ for I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children for Abraham. 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 (Matthew 3:8–10).
Just as his father Zechariah prophesied, John grows up to be a prophet who prepares the way for the long-awaited Messiah, Jesus. Many people confess their sin and are baptized. But when some religious leaders arrive, John warns, “Bear fruit in keeping with repentance” (Matthew 3:8).
John’s message for all is a call for repentance— for God’s people to return to him. Doing the right things and looking the right way doesn’t make a person right with God. True repentance is taking a spiritual u-turn. It’s recognizing that all the detours of our own efforts and good works can’t get us home. It’s turning away from the path of our own selfish desires, turning to God, trusting his perfect path instead. There are no backroads or highways that lead to God. Jesus is the only way (John 14:6).
We don’t have to try harder, do better, fix our problems, or clean up our lives before we repent. God already knows our struggles, loves us immensely, and wants to produce good fruit in us. When we allow the Holy Spirit to transform us, we “bear fruit in keeping with repentance” in the process.
Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me (John 15:4).
Thank you, Jesus for laying down your life to be the bridge to bring us back to God. Give us the desire to abide in you, allowing your spirit to produce good fruit in our lives.
