Bearing the Fruit of Repentance?

 

Are We Bearing the Fruit of Repentance? John the Baptist's Urgent Call to Transformation

Imagine standing before John the Baptist, eager to be baptized for the forgiveness of your sins. You’re ready to take that symbolic dip in the water, showing your repentance. But then, you hear his booming voice, cutting through the crowd: "You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come?". A startling welcome, isn't it? Yet, his words hold profound insight for us today.

Let's dive into the powerful message John proclaimed, as found in Luke's Gospel chapter 3.

Understanding Baptism: More Than Just a Dip

The word "baptism" itself comes directly from Greek, meaning "to dip something inside the water; to immerse something inside the water". This practice wasn't new when John appeared. Its origins can be traced back to the book of Leviticus (chapter 15), where Israelites would ritually dip in water to become ceremonially clean after becoming unclean, allowing them to re-enter God's presence. Later, this became a practice for Gentiles who wanted to convert to Judaism (during the second temple period).

However, John's baptism was different. He was "proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins" (Luke 3:3). This was a public declaration of an inward repentance. Many, including tax collectors, received John's baptism, declaring God just. Yet, some, like the Pharisees and lawyers, rejected it (Luke 7:29,30), viewing it as unnecessary for them as "God's people," and unwilling to acknowledge a need for repentance.

Repentance: Not Just a One-Time Event, But a Continuous Journey

While the baptism we participate in today, commanded by Lord Jesus, is a "baptism of faith" for those who believe (Mark 16:16), the core principle of repentance remains vital. John's message reminds us that repentance is the first step to coming into faith. 

As Peter also told the crowds, "Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit" (Acts 2:38).

But repentance isn't just for the beginning of our Christian walk. It's a "continuous process in our life". Even born-again believers are called to repent, as seen in Revelation chapter 2 (vs.5,16,21), where backsliding churches are urged to "repent". Why? Because without repentance, there is no forgiveness of sins. Every day, whenever we become conscious of our sin, we must immediately confess and repent to in order to get back to fellowship with God.

The Viper's Escape vs. True Transformation

In Luke 3:7, John's harsh "brood of vipers" address highlights a critical distinction. He compared those coming for baptism to poisonous snakes fleeing wildfire. When fire comes, even these vipers try to escape the "wrath to come".

John challenged them: are you merely fleeing the "wrath of God" or the "fear of hell" without a true change of heart?. He pointed out that while a viper might flee, its poisonous nature remains unchanged. Similarly, simply saying "I am born again, I will be saved from the hell" is not sufficient if our inner nature hasn't changed.

The Indispensable "Fruit in Keeping with Repentance"

This leads to John's crucial instruction: "Bear fruits in keeping with repentance" (Luke 3:8). What does this "fruit" mean? It represents the results of a transformed life. If genuine repentance has taken place within us, our outward actions, our way of speaking, how we see, how we talk to others, how we handle money, how we treat people, and how we show love toward God and others should all change.

John countered the notion that merely being "Abraham's children" or being "born again" is enough. God, he declared, "can raise children for Abraham even from the stones". The true challenge, perhaps even greater than converting a non-believer, is bringing this deep transformation into a believer's life—to truly show forth the fruit of repentance.

The Axe is Laid: A Stern Warning for All

In Luke 3:9, John delivered an sobering warning: "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 fire". The axe at the root signifies a last moment warning. If we are not living according to our repentance and faith, God is ready to strike. If we are not cut down, it is only by God's grace, giving us more time, just like the gardener pleading for the tree in Luke's Gospel chapter 13.

You might wonder, "If we are born again, can we go to hell?". Lord Jesus Christ himself echoed this warning in John 15:5,6, saying, "If anyone does not abide in me, he is thrown away like a branch and with us and the branches are gathered thrown into the fire and burned". We are the branches; if we do not bear fruit, we risk being cut off and thrown into the fire.

God saved us not to return to that situation. He desires true repentance that results in real transformation in our lives. Let us heed John the Baptist's powerful call. Let our lives be a testament to the fruit of genuine repentance.

May God help us to understand His word and to truly bear the fruit of repentance. Amen.