Fruit Shows Repentance Is Real.
John the Baptist confronted the religious crowds with piercing truth. Therefore, bear fruits worthy of repentance, and do not think to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I say to you that God is able to raise up children to Abraham from these stones. And even now the ax is laid to the root of the trees. Therefore, every tree which does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Matthew 3:8-10.
True repentance has evidence. Repentance is not merely feeling sorry for sin; it is a decisive turning away from self, away from sin, towards Almighty God. It is the surrender of the will of self to the rule of heaven, and when this turning is genuine, the fruit is unmistakable.
Words alone do not prove repentance; the life that follows does. A tree is known by its fruit; leaves may be plentiful, but if there is no good fruit, then the tree is barren. So it is with a heart that professes repentance but remains unyielding to Almighty God.
Outward forms of religion, impressive prayers or emotional moments, cannot substitute for the inner work of a changed heart. The Father is looking for fruit, which is the visible evidence of a new nature. Therefore, the fruit of true repentance is humility before the Father, obedience to His Word, compassion toward others, and a life that turns from sin, rather than makes excuses for it. It reveals itself in righteousness, integrity and mercy.
It is not perfection but transformation; the repentant heart desires to please Almighty God above all else and bears fruit consistent with that desire. If there is no fruit, no turning, no change, then the profession of repentance is empty.
But where there is fruit, there is life, signifying a life that has been touched, changed and made new by the Holy Spirit of God. True repentance cannot be hidden; it is not claimed, it is lived, it is not declared, but it is demonstrated. The life that has truly turned to Almighty God bears fruit worthy of that repentance. For every heart that yields to Him in truth, the change is evident, and the fruit bears witness that repentance is real.