Answering God's Call

The Fruit Evidence

Matt 3:7-10

7 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? 8 Produce fruit in keeping with repentance. 9 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. 10 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.

Repentance is not just an external act. It is not really about what you say and do. Rather it is about your heart’s true condition before God. 

It is sad that many people know how to say “sorry” without really meaning it. John the Baptist calls on the Pharisees to “produce fruit in keeping with repentance.” Fruit here refers to the changes that should take place as a result of one’s repenting. This validates that repentance has really taken place. 

John the Baptist went on to warn the Pharisees, “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.” Any tree that does not bear fruit is assumed dead, and, therefore, should be cut down to the ground. It is the fruit that validates that a tree still lives and flourishes. 

True repentance requires true change in your attitude. This “fruit” proves that, indeed, you were so sorry for your sins that you stopped doing what causes you to sin and start living according to what pleases God.