“Bear Fruit Worthy Of Repentance!”

“Bear Fruit Worthy Of Repentance!”
The central message of John the Baptist was “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.” The kingdom of heaven/God is the reign of God. The message of repentance is not just about a change of mind; it is a radical change in one’s life as a whole, forsaking sin and turning or returning to God.
Turning or returning to God is demonstrated in the people’s response to John’s message. Those turning to God are represented in those people who went out to him, confessing their sins and being baptized. Meanwhile those returning are represented in *the Pharisees and Sadducees who responded to his message. These are us who pride ourselves of having been in church from Sunday school till, till, but we lack fruits worthy of repentance!
Some of us like the Pharisees are of the legalistic group who strictly but sometimes hypocritically keep the commandments of God and the unwritten traditions of the church. Meanwhile some of us are like the Sadducees being more worldly, politically minded and theologically unorthodox – such as not believing in the resurrection, angels and spirits.
We have become Christian for so long that we think being Christian has become our guarantee to have a place in the kingdom of heaven. Unfortunately we have no fruit to offer which are worthy of repentance. John says we are nothing but a brood of vipers!
It is said, *”familiarity breeds contempt.”* When I looked this up, it says, “extensive knowledge of or close association with someone or something leads to a loss of respect for them or it.” That’s how Christian and “churchly” we often have become, such that the kingdom is so far away from us. John reminds us, “produce fruit in keeping with repentance”(Mt.3:1-12).
Dear friend, as we prepare to receive baby Jesus let us prepare ourselves morally and spiritually so that he who stands at the door and is knocking may come in and have a place in our lives.
Weekend prayer: Holy Spirit help me to prepare for the Lord by producing fruit worthy of repentance. Amen!
Have a blessed weekend! Peace be with you!