March 18

Change Brings Fruit

Today’s Scripture Readings: Psalm 40:11-17 | Numbers 26:52-28:15 | Luke 3:1-22 | Proverbs 11:16-17

Today’s Scripture Focus:  Luke 3:1-22

“He [John] went into all the country around the Jordan, preaching a baptism for the forgiveness of sins.” 

“Produce fruit in keeping with repentance.” (Luke 3:3,8 TNIV).  

Repentance is all about change. To repent is to change one’s mind about sin, which leads to a change of direction and behavior.  Ultimately it brings a fruitful life: a Christ-like life. If you don’t change: you will never grow and you will miss out on the abundant life that could be yours.

Some resisted change. John’s message was harsh to those he called “a brood of vipers”: “Produce fruit in keeping with repentance. And do not begin to 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. 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” (8-9). To resist the change God intends for your life is to miss out on the fruit he intends to produce in and through you.

We should not presume that we have gone far enough with God.  We should not presume that he doesn’t want to bring further growth in our lives. We all have so far to go in our pursuit of living like Jesus.

Don’t resist God. Don’t resist the changes he wants to bring into your life to make you more like Jesus. Don’t be afraid of the change that comes from repentance. It is the way to a fruitful, abundant life.

Heavenly Father, search my heart and reveal those areas where I need to change. Give me the grace I need to make those changes. Help me never to fear the changes you would make in me. Lord, have your way, change me that I might bear more fruit. Amen.