Today’s 333 Devotional: “Repentant Fruit”

While dragon fruit may need to repent, this is not the fruit I’m referring to. Fruit refers to how we live. Do we live for Christ, for Satan (the dragon), or for ourselves?

Repentance is not just being sorry. To repent means to change our minds about what we’re doing. It’s what the Apostle Paul calls the renewing of our minds (Romans 12:2). It’s changing how we think about sin.

John the Baptist said, “Therefore bear fruits worthy of repentance.” (Luke 3:8a)

The fruit of repentance marks the beginning of the Christian journey. It’s admitting that we’re not walking with God and that we need Jesus’ sacrifice for sin. If such repentance has occurred, we’d see its fruit in our lives.

In Matthew 7:20, Jesus said, “By their fruits you will know them.” John the Baptist went on to tell us not to rely on anything else for our salvation. “Do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’” (Luke 3:8b)

Your family tree may be righteous, but that doesn’t mean you are. And just because you’re better than the next person doesn’t make you righteous either; only belief in Jesus Christ, confession of sin, and repentance can accomplish it.

The Bible knows nothing of a faith that does not produce a changed life. Jesus said, “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word.” (John 14:23a) And the Apostle James said, “Faith without deeds is dead.” (James 2:26b)

There’s urgency in the Baptist’s words as he goes on to say, “Even now the ax is laid to the root of the trees. Therefore every tree which does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.” (Luke 3:9)

Don’t delay making this change. Remember, sin is not excusable. “The wages of sin is death.” (Romans 6:23)

Therefore, “Prepare the way of the Lord; make His paths straight.” (Luke 3:4b)