Luke 3.7-18

This coming Sunday we will be focusing on Luke 3.7-18. In this passage we hear John the Baptist proclaiming to the people that they are to repent and flee from the wrath to come. He even says that they are like snakes that flee from the fire! But in the midst of all of those dire warnings John the Baptist says: "Bear fruits worthy of repentance" (v8). All of this is good news (v18). It is good news because repentance is a gift that the Lord gives us. Just think if we could not repent. We would wallow in our sin ----- never having a way to turn away from the evil that ensnares us.

John outlines some ways that the people are to bear fruit. He told the congregation that had gathered at the river's edge to give of what they have [coats and food (v11)], collect only the share that is owed to them (v13), to be satisfied with what they have, and to not extort (v14). The question for us is what fruit do we need to bear that is worthy of repentance? Repentance is truly an action on our part ----- a turning away from sin ----- therefore, bearing fruit should be a natural repercussion to the life of faith. Are you bearing fruit that is worthy of the great gift of repentance that the Lord has given you?