The Fruit of Repentance

When you are a mom to 3 kids close in age, you tend to break up a lot of fights over the silliest things. "He looked at me funny." "She took my tablet." The list goes on and on; I could write a few books. Sometimes I fight the urge to giggle over some of the arguments I have had to break up. Other times, I am flabbergasted at the reactions and actions of my kids. I look at them and think: "what in the world, where did you learn that nonsense."

Recently, my twins have decided they would handle things by spitting. For me, that is a hard no. It is beyond disrespectful. It is hateful. One of my main house rules is be respectful and kind to others. Their actions are in conflict with the rules. Of course, I have worked diligently to address this behavior; I won't tolerate it. But last week, their little sin/rebellious nature reared its ugly head, and they will spit at each other. I had thought we had this nipped in the bud, but they said "hold my capri sun."

How does this even relate to repentance? Stick with me here, if you will. We are currently in the Lenten season, the 40 days before Easter. A season to reflect and remember the life and sacrifice of Jesus, postering our hearts in gratitude to what He has done for you and I. Or at least that is what it is for me. During this season, I have really given myself to reading the scripture, seeking the Lord for the future, etc. During one of my times of devotion, I read a section that hit me square in the eyes.

Quick synopsis of what is taking place for you and yours. John the Baptist was preaching and preparing the way for Jesus to come into His earthly ministry. He was also calling people to repentance, baptising them in water. Apparently, this drew the attention of the religious leaders, the Pharisees and Sadducees (they were sad you see--Dr. Moon). John did not even wait for them to open their mouths to ask questions or throw out accusations.

But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to where he was baptizing, he said to them: “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? Produce fruit in keeping with repentance. And do not think you can say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham.  The ax is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire. --Matthew 3:7-10

What a harsh rebuke! If you study scripture, you will see how the religious leaders were pious and bent on their own agendas. It is easy to point our fingers in disgust at the leader of that time. However, are we that far removed from them? Do we come to the Lord with repentance from our lips, but hearts far away from Him? John makes it very clear in his indictment that if you are truly repentant, you should bear the fruit of repentance. There should be an external reflection on what has taken place inwardly. There should be a change.

Just like my twins, how many times do we say "Lord, I am sorry," but have no real heart adjustment? My twins can apologize over and over for their spitting, but if their hearts do no change, if they do not understand the nature of their actions, are they truly apologetic and repentant? You may think that is harsh to think about my own children, but it is the reality of their own sin nature. I want them to bear the fruit of repentance; I want them to walk differently after apologizing (of course in an age appropriate manner, they are only 4). Because I know what I instill in them now, comes out later in life.

Now, I must admit, I am kind of a nerd when it comes to the original context and language of the Bible. If you study the original words used for repentance in the Hebrew and Greek, I think you will understand a little better what a repentant heart should resemble. In the Hebrew, the word is shuv, meaning to turn and go a different direction. In the Greek, the word metanoia, means changing one's mind. Do you see the connection? You were going or thinking one way, and now you have gone a different direction. A turnaround of heart.

If my twins apologize for spitting, but then a few minutes later do the same thing, have they a heart that has turned around from "sin"? Honestly, I don't think so. As I was meditating on this, my heart was grieved to think of my own sin. I think about the areas in my life that lack the fruit of repentance. Lord, have I truly changed direction? Or do I come to You, say sorry, and have no true change in my heart.

There is a hefty warning for those of us who do this just a couple of verses later in Matt. 3: "...every tree that doesn't produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire." It is alarming to know that my lack of true repentance will cause me to be cut down and thrown away, rendering me ineffective. I do not want that. I have seen this happen before in my life and it was a painful experience (thank the Lord for His grace to restore what was once dead). If I do not want to walk down that road again, I must change my direction and change my thinking. If you want to be healthy, you don't eat McDonalds all day, every day. It is kind of similar. Your actions, reactions, words, and deeds so align with one who has a heart of repentance.

So what do we do? Are we without hope? Of course not! That is stinkin' thinkin' straight from the enemy. Jesus came to forgive our sins (1 John 1:9). He came so that we could come to him with repentant hearts and change the direction we are walking (Luke 19:10). He is our only source of true forgiveness that allows us to live this life of repentance (Romans 2:4).

Ask yourself these questions--where are you struggling? Is it anger, is the lust of the eyes and flesh, is it excessive living, is it pride, gluttony, etc? If I am truly repentant, how can I change direction to ensure I am now bearing fruit that is consistent to repentance? If you struggle with lust of the eyes, are you still engaging in scrolling through inappropriate Instagram accounts, etc? Does it mean no longer engaging in activities that make you prone to sin in anger? Does it mean no longer consuming content that breeds hatred for another people group?

The list goes on and on. Nothing is new under the sun, even how we sin (Ecc. 1:9). These are real questions that could help point out the heart of the issue. In spite of our sinful nature and sin, there is hope. Ask the Holy Spirit to help identify where you can change direction. Ask Him to purify your heart. Ask Him to help you bear fruit consistent with repentance. And really look at your life, actions, motives, etc. Do your actions show contempt to the work on the Cross? (Check out Romans 6).

I leave you with a familiar passage to encourage you. Praying for you as we walk this journey to be more like Him and less like the world.

Even now--this is the LORD's direction--turn (shuv) to me with all your heart, with fasting, weeping, and mourning. Tear your hearts, not just your clothes, and return (shuv) to the LORD your God. For He is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger, abounding in faithful love, and he relents from sending disaster." --Joel 2:12f