Matthew 3:8 – “Bear fruit in keeping with repentance.”
Today’s verse is a short sentence uttered by John the Baptist, but it does give us a lot to ponder about. John saw through the hypocrisy of the Pharisees and Sadducees, and chided them for it. But how does this apply to us today? Although we’ve been saved and made new, there is a part of our old nature still clinging to us. Desires of the flesh war against what our spirit believes to be good and true.
When we give in to our old nature, it’s easy to justify it saying, “That’s who I am”. But you are no longer who you once were. You are a new creation through the blood of Jesus Christ. The old you, your negative attitudes and bad behavior, is dead and you have been born again. It is essential that your thoughts, words and actions now portray the new person you are, indwelt by the Holy Spirit.
It might not be possible to always act perfectly, but you can rely on the Holy Spirit to change your attitude and behavior to mirror what the Bible teaches. The world will know you only by the fruits you produce. If you act out in anger, malice or hatred, it does not reflect well on the God who saved you. Examine yourself today and see what kind of fruit you are producing. Allow God to start working on your heart and make it more like His.
