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Pages 19-22 - The Way-40
Days of Reflection (Daily Devotion Guide)
Days of Reflection (Daily Devotion Guide)
Fruits Worthy of Repentance
Therefore produce fruits
worthy of repentance, and don’t begin to say among yourselves, ‘We have Abraham
for our father;’ for I tell you that God is able to raise up children to
Abraham from these stones! Even now the ax also lies at the root of the trees.
Every tree therefore that doesn’t produce good fruit is cut down, and thrown
into the fire.”
worthy of repentance, and don’t begin to say among yourselves, ‘We have Abraham
for our father;’ for I tell you that God is able to raise up children to
Abraham from these stones! Even now the ax also lies at the root of the trees.
Every tree therefore that doesn’t produce good fruit is cut down, and thrown
into the fire.”
The multitudes asked
him, “What then must we do?”
him, “What then must we do?”
He answered them, “He
who has two coats, let him give to him who has none. He who has food, let him do
likewise.” (Luke 3:8-11}
who has two coats, let him give to him who has none. He who has food, let him do
likewise.” (Luke 3:8-11}
Repentance involves the
entire person: head, heart, and hands. The word in Greek, metanoia, means
literally to “think differently afterward” and signifies a change of thinking
that leads to a change of heart that leads ultimately to a change in behavior.
It is not enough, John said to the multitudes who came to be baptized, to step
into the water. Repentance is accompanied by a change in life-there must be
fruit born of repentance and baptism.
entire person: head, heart, and hands. The word in Greek, metanoia, means
literally to “think differently afterward” and signifies a change of thinking
that leads to a change of heart that leads ultimately to a change in behavior.
It is not enough, John said to the multitudes who came to be baptized, to step
into the water. Repentance is accompanied by a change in life-there must be
fruit born of repentance and baptism.
It is interesting to
note that in Luke’s Gospel, when the people asked what this fruit indeed looked
like, all three of John’s responses were economic in nature. Fruit worthy of
repentance involved a person who had two coats sharing one with a person who
had none (verse11). For tax collectors, it was making sure not to overcharge
people when collecting taxes (verse 13). And for soldiers, it was refusing to
exhort money through false accusations and being content with their pay (verse
14).
note that in Luke’s Gospel, when the people asked what this fruit indeed looked
like, all three of John’s responses were economic in nature. Fruit worthy of
repentance involved a person who had two coats sharing one with a person who
had none (verse11). For tax collectors, it was making sure not to overcharge
people when collecting taxes (verse 13). And for soldiers, it was refusing to
exhort money through false accusations and being content with their pay (verse
14).
John’s list wasn’t comprehensive,
but it was interesting nonetheless. If you and I are seeking to live as those
who are repentant sinners-as those who wish to live for God-then we’ll share
with those in need, we’ll be fair in our business dealings, and we’ll be
content with our pay.
but it was interesting nonetheless. If you and I are seeking to live as those
who are repentant sinners-as those who wish to live for God-then we’ll share
with those in need, we’ll be fair in our business dealings, and we’ll be
content with our pay.
My experience is that
people who live this way-who are generous and giving, who seek to be honest and
fair, and who are not focused on constantly yearning for more-are happier in
life and usually more successful. Who do you admire more: people who are
generous or people who are greedy? Who would you rather do business with;
people who only look out for themselves or people who have your best interests
at heart? Who would you rather have as a friend: people who are never content
and slander others or people who are content with what they have and speak well
of others?
people who live this way-who are generous and giving, who seek to be honest and
fair, and who are not focused on constantly yearning for more-are happier in
life and usually more successful. Who do you admire more: people who are
generous or people who are greedy? Who would you rather do business with;
people who only look out for themselves or people who have your best interests
at heart? Who would you rather have as a friend: people who are never content
and slander others or people who are content with what they have and speak well
of others?
Reed lives by John’s
list. A banker and a member of the church I serve, he’s one of a thousand
people I know like him. Reed carries his success with humility. He is genuinely
interested in his clients and puts their needs before his own. And if he saw
someone who needed a coat, he would give it without being asked. Reed isn’t
perfect, but to me he exhibits the economic fruit of repentance.
list. A banker and a member of the church I serve, he’s one of a thousand
people I know like him. Reed carries his success with humility. He is genuinely
interested in his clients and puts their needs before his own. And if he saw
someone who needed a coat, he would give it without being asked. Reed isn’t
perfect, but to me he exhibits the economic fruit of repentance.
Are you producing the
fruits of repentance? Are you regularly giving to help those in need? Are you
fair and honest in all your dealings? Do you speak well of others? And are you cultivating
contentment with what you have?
fruits of repentance? Are you regularly giving to help those in need? Are you
fair and honest in all your dealings? Do you speak well of others? And are you cultivating
contentment with what you have?
Prayer: Lord, help me to
produce fruit in keeping with repentance. Help me to be generous, honest, and
content with what I have. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
produce fruit in keeping with repentance. Help me to be generous, honest, and
content with what I have. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
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