Produce fruit in keeping with repentance. And do not say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham. Luke 3:8
Talk is easy to do, but action following the talk is much more difficult and rare. People are quick to talk about big things that they are going to do or who they are, but rarely will follow it up with their actions.
Most often this big talk comes from a position that a person is in or because of a person that one is connected to, nor from personal actions.
John tells the people to produce fruit with their repentance. They were claiming Abraham as their father. He also tells them that God could raise up children from the stones if needed.
Saying that one is sorrow for doing something wrong is an easy thing to do. Following that statement up with action is much more difficult. The follow up action will reveal where the heart truly is.
Without any fruit, repentance does not really mean anything. Many people are quick to repent of sins, but refuse to produce any fruit. They do not do the work of God at building up His kingdom. They do not change their ways of living, striving to be holy as God is holy.
Some ‘believers’ claim they are believers because their parents were, not because they truly are in their hearts. Their actions, or rather lack of actions, reveal where their heart really is.
When a person repents, he must change his ways. There should be fruit in his life of the change in his heart and mind. The fruit of the Spirit must be revealed in every area of his life.
Without the fruit, the believer is false.
As you are willing to repent of your sins, you must be willing to follow it up with action. Live your whole life sold out to God. Do what God has called you to do–to leave a life of sin and be His witness in all of this world.
If no one can see a marked change in your life, then you must question yourself if you really do believe in God and have you really repented.
Do not live just by words, but also by action. Prove your faith by your actions.
Today I pray that you will know Jesus as your Savior; that you will repent before God of all sins; that God will strengthen you to turn from all sins; that you will produce fruit in keeping with your repentance; and that the world will see you truly believe in and follow Jesus.
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