Fruit of Repentance

Luke 3:8a, Produce fruit in keeping with repentance.

Are you familiar with the parable of the fig tree? Please read Luke 13:1 – 9. There was a group of people telling Jesus about the massacre of the Galileans and how they must have been the worst sinners to have suffered the death that they did. Jesus explains that all men need to repent, and in turn, those who repent wholeheartedly will bear fruit of repentance.

First, what does it mean to repent? It is recognizing your fallen state in sin and hatred of it; turning to the glory of God and your desire for Him. Repentance is the renewal of your mind from pleasing the desires of the flesh to a pursuit of His righteousness and character, by the transformative power of the Holy Spirit.

So, what does it mean to bear fruit in keeping with repentance? Fruit of repentance, as I said before, begins with a transformed mind by the power of the Holy Spirit at work in you. You receive the Holy Spirit when you accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior (Acts 2:38; Ephesians 1:13). The Holy Spirit changes your character to be loving, joyful, patient, kind, good and much more (see Galatians 5:22). When you produce fruit in keeping with repentance, your behavior is indicative of a Christian or Christ follower. It’s not to say you won’t mistakenly fall into sin, but you no longer live in sin.

Returning to the parable of the fig tree. Jesus says anyone who has repented and accepted Him should outwardly display they are a child of God. In this case, the fig tree was planted, but had no fruit and the vineyard owner requested that it be removed. The man who took care of the vineyard asked for more time while he continues to “water” the tree, and if in a year it still doesn’t grow any fruit, then it can be cut down. The fig tree represents us as a follower of Christ. Our walk with Christ should outwardly demonstrate a changed nature via our good works. If our life does not change from the way it was prior to knowing Christ, the question is, did we truly repent? 2 Corinthians 5:17 says, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” May we repent from the heart and be renewed in our attitudes, thoughts and actions (Romans 12:1-2).

Dear Lord, I know that apart from You I can do no good thing. Please help me to fully surrender to Your Spirit at work in me so I may bear fruit of repentance. Let my light shine before all, that they may desire to know who You are through the way that I live. In Jesus name I pray, amen!