THE FRUITS
OF REPENTANCE
(Luke 3:3-9)
INTRODUCTION
Repentance is
a change of mind, accompanied with regret and sorrow for something done, and an
earnest wish that it was undone. Such was the repentance of Judas in Matthew 27:3.
It is sorrow
for sin, grief for having committed it, and turning away from it with
abhorrence, accompanied with sincere endeavours, in reliance on God’s grace and
the influences of the Holy Spirit, to live in humble and holy obedience to the
commands and will of God. This is that repentance which always accompanies true
faith and to which is promised the free forgiveness of sin through Jesus Christ
(Matthew 4:17; Acts 3:19).
According to Easton’s Bible Dictionary, there are three Greek words in the New Testament to
denote repentance.
(i)
Metamelomai: It
is used of a change of mind, such as to produce regret or even remorse on
account of sin, but not necessarily a
change of heart e.g. Judas’ repentance.
(ii)
Metanoeo:
It means to change one’s mind and purpose, as the result of other knowledge.
(iii)
Metanoia: Used
of true repentance which remission of sin is promised.
True repentance consists of:
§ A true sense of one’s own guilt and sinfulness
§ An actual hatred of sin (Psalm 119:104,128) and turning from it to God
§ Persistent endeavour after a holy life
What is fruit?
It is that
part of the plant which develops as a result of fertilization and contains the
seed which can be used to propagate the plant. Spiritually, fruits are the gracious
dispositions and habits that accompany a repentant heart. It also means the
manner of life which shows a real repentance
(Acts 26:20; Phil. 1:11; Isaiah 1:16-18).
Reasons for
repentance (Galatians 5:19-21)
There are lots of reasons why man needs to
repent of his/her sins:
·
For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God (Rom 3:23; John 8:7)
·
Because sin is an inherent attribute of man (Romans 5:12)
·
Because the wages of sin is death
(Romans 6:23)
·
Because whoever is born into this world through a woman is a sinner (I John 1:8)
·
Naturally, there is love of the world in man (John 15:19; Romans 6:16)
·
Because by the deeds of the laws no flesh shall be justified in His
sight for by the law is the knowledge of sin.
·
Because man is carnal, sold under sin (Romans 7:14)
·
Because sinners are of the devil
(I John 3:8)
As a result of all the above mentioned points,
repentance is an essential ingredient in human lives to achieve the purpose of
God for man’s life.
FRUITS THAT ACCOMPANY TRUE REPENTANCE
(Galatians 5:22-23)
Repentance that is not accompanied with fruits is
not recognized by God (John 15:2). Fruits of repentance include the
following:
(i)
Love (Matthew 5:44, 46). According to Oxford
Advanced Learner’s Dictionary, love is a strong feeling of deep affection for
somebody, especially a member of your family or friend. This is the greatest
commandment in the law according to Jesus in Matthew 22:37-39.
(ii)
Joy: (Luke 1:14; Acts 2:28; Acts 8:8). Joy is a feeling of great happiness. It is the
exaltation that arises from a sense of God’s mercy communicated to the soul in
the pardon of its iniquities. Following genuine repentance, there will be joy
in heaven and in the heart of a repentant person (Luke 15:10; III John 1:4).
(iii)
Peace: (Romans 14:17, 19). Peace is the calm, quiet and orders which take place
in the justified soul, instead of the doubts, fears that rules in the heart of
sinners. Peace is the first sensible fruit of the pardon of sin (Romans 5:1). A repentant soul will
always have the urge to follow after the things which make for peace. God is a
God of peace and not an author of confusion. A repentant sinner should exhibit
character of peace (I Corinthians 14:33).
(iv)
Longsuffering: (Col,
3:12). This
is the ability to endure suffering. “Put on therefore as the elect of God
…longsuffering”. Paul used himself as example for Timothy in doctrine,
way of life, purpose, faith and longsuffering (II Timothy 3:10).
(v)
Gentleness: A
repentant soul must be gentle.
(vi)
Goodness: The
perpetual desire not only to abstain from every appearance of evil, but to do well
to the bodies and souls of men to the utmost of our ability. You must be full
of goodness after genuine repentance
(Romans 15:14; Eph 5:9).
(vii) Meekness: This means “humble,
modest or self-effacing”. It
means “to be submissive”, “dispirited”. Meekness is the quality of being
‘meek’. It is the opposite of anger.
STEPS TO GENUINE REPENTANCE
·
Recognize yourself as a sinner
(Romans 3:23; Romans 6:23)
·
Confess your sins to God
·
Repent now (Acts 3:19; I John
1:9)
·
Believe that God loves you and that Jesus died for you (Romans 5:8)
·
Invite Jesus into your life through prayer of faith (Revelation 3:20)
·
Confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus Christ (Romans 10:9)
CONCLUSION
Following genuine repentance is salvation which
gives way for the indwelling of Holy Spirit which in turn helps the repentant
soul to bear fruits of repentance.
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