BEAR FRUITS IN KEEPING WITH REPENTANCE.
In the name + of Jesus.
John the Baptist was sent to prepare the
way for the Lord. But John’s message was
not warm and fuzzy. “You brood of vipers! Who
warned you to flee from the wrath to come?” (Luke 3:7) does not show up in Christmas cards. But that is not the coming of the Lord John
wants you to be ready for. The Lord will
come to judge the living and the dead.
THAT is the coming John wants to prepare you for. So John’s message was, “Repent, for the
kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matthew 3:2).
“Repent” is much more than, “I am sorry
for my sins.” Everyone has regrets over
certain words and actions. But regret is
not repentance. Repentance means to
change one’s mind. It recognizes that God’s
word is true. It acknowledges that God’s
judgment is right. It is not just words
we say only to return to the very sins we said we were sorry for. It is a God-given determination to flee from
our sins and to uproot them from our lives.
John the Baptist teaches you that repentance is more than words when he
said, “Bear fruits in keeping with repentance” (Luke 3:8). Then he offered specific examples of what
that would look like.
In general, he said, “Do not be selfish;
be compassionate and share your abundance with those who have nothing.” To the tax collectors, he said, “Do not cheat
or scam your fellow man. Be honest in
your trade.” Even burly soldiers heeded
John’s warning. They “asked him, ‘And we, what shall we do?’ And he said to them, ‘Do not extort money
from anyone by threats or by false accusation, and be content with your wages’
(Luke 3:14).
Repentance is not mere words. It
is revealed in one’s actions. Bear
fruits in keeping with repentance.
The air waves play the song that urges us,
“You better be good for goodness’ sake.”
There is some value in that. If
you improve your behavior, people will like you and respect you. The song implies that better behavior will
result in gifts. Many children can be
coaxed into better behavior for that reason.
While better behavior might gain you some reward, it will not save
you. If you cling to sins, however, that
will condemn you. Therefore, John warns not
to let your repentance be phony. He
illustrates that with vivid pictures of an axe at the root of an unproductive
tree and of a baptism with fire. Bear
fruits in keeping with repentance.
Repentance is a change of mind about one’s
sins. It seeks to put to death every tempting
desire. It pays attention to the word of
the Lord and directs your life according to it.
If it is hard, do not be surprised.
If you fail, do not quit. Struggling
against temptation is not a sign that you are not a real Christian. On the contrary, your struggle demonstrates that
you are trying to do what is right. It
is when you no longer struggle that shows you have chosen to be swept away by your
sins. Better behavior will not save you,
but refusing to forsake your sins will condemn you.
John the Apostle also calls you to forsake
your sin. But he extends comfort for
everyone who is struggling. He wrote, “My children, I write these things to you
so that you will not sin.
If anyone does sin, we
have an Advocate before the Father: Jesus Christ, the Righteous One” (1 John
2:1). Turn to the Lord for mercy.
Find comfort in his forgiveness.
Amend your ways and recommit yourself to a godly life. Bear fruits in keeping with repentance.
While John the Baptist wants to prepare
you for Jesus’ second coming, you will only be prepared for that day because of
Jesus’ first coming to save sinners.
John’s message, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand,” is still
spoken to us. The kingdom of heaven comes
through Jesus. His kingdom is not some
time down the road; it comes to you now.
Forgiveness comes to you now.
Peace comes now. Salvation is given
now. Jesus has come to bring you into
his kingdom so that you do not need to fear his coming to judge the living and
the dead.
In order to receive the benefits of his
kingdom, Jesus connects you to himself. In
baptism, you were united with Jesus. He takes
what is yours and makes it his own. He takes
away all your fruits that are rotten, diseased, and spoiled. Before the axe would strike at the root of
the unfruitful trees, Jesus was nailed to his own tree, a cross. There, Jesus bore the curse for your sins. He has taken what is yours and made it his. He endured your curse, died your death, and
paid for all your guilt. Then he took what
is his and gave it to you. Jesus credits
you with his pure and perfect works. He bestows
God’s favor, promises life everlasting, and brings you into the kingdom of
righteousness. Jesus earned your
salvation and gives it to you for free.
Jesus also makes you fruitful with actions
that glorify God and benefit your neighbor.
You have been grafted into the true vine, Jesus. He instills new life into you and works the
very change he seeks. He has converted
your heart and transformed your mind.
This is why you acknowledge that your sins are wicked and should be
rooted out. It is why you order your
life to God’s good ways. Our Lord not
only looks for fruits of faith, he produces them in you. Jesus takes his Holy Spirit and gives him to
you. For “it is God who is working in you, both to
will and to work, for the sake of his good pleasure.” (Philippians 2:13).
Our Lord is pleased with the fruits of your
faith not because your works are more dazzling or impressive than others’. He is pleased with your works because Jesus
has made you pleasing to the Lord.
He regards your works as pure because Jesus has purified you. You are give what is his—Jesus’ innocence,
Jesus’ merits, and Jesus’ mercies.
John the Baptist urges you to bear fruits in keeping with repentance. Those who have been grafted into Jesus, the true vine, bear the fruit he seeks. Those who have been baptized into Jesus have been forgiven of every rotten thing. Those who delight in Jesus will also be eager for him to come again.
In the name of the Father and of the Son + and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
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