A Bible verse about repentance:
“Produce fruit in keeping with repentance.” Luke 3:8
The Oxford dictionary defines repentance as, “the action of repenting; sincere regret or remorse.” I think that we all know by know that repentance is a defining belief in the Christian doctrine.
Jesus sacrificed himself to atone for all of the world’s sin – for all time. To achieve this salvation, all we need to do is repent of our sins and believe in Christ. Simple enough, right?
However, because we are humans, you and I are prone to making mistakes. Even though salvation and entrance to Heaven requires a singular act of repentance, there’s so much more to it than that.
I enjoy this verse because of its subtle simplicity. To me, the most emphatic verses are generally the shortest. The words carry more weight.
Produce Fruit
In order to grow and produce fruit, the crop needs to be tended. It doesn’t matter if it’s a fruit tree, shrub or bush. They all require regular maintenance.
Consistent sunlight helps them grow and flourish. Regular water application produces succulent fruit and vibrant blooms.
Pruning away the dead keeps the plants healthy and stimulates growth.
In these regards, fruit is an apt synonym for humanity. In order for us to enjoy the “fruits of life,” we need to provide opportunities for the good and remove as much of the bad as we can.
Daily Bible study, worship and meditation is our sunlight. Without it, we will wither.
Fellowship, family, and helping others is our water. When these diminish, we thirst.
And obviously, the dead branches in our life is sin. If they’re not pruned back, disease overcomes us.
Keeping With Repentance
Theoretically, you can live your life being the world’s “greatest” sinner and still gain acceptance and salvation through Christ. If, on your deathbed you sincerely repent and ask for Christ’s salvation, it will be yours.
Honestly, that’s a hard thing for me to accept. Because that would mean that some of the most evil people who have ever existed have the same opportunity to enjoy Heaven.
I believe the Bible, and I do believe in forgiveness. But it’s still hard for me to accept.
On the other hand, I try to remember that all of these evil people were once clean, innocent babies. Something happened to them which made them into something else.
But perhaps the image of that innocent baby is how God views us when we come back to Him. So who could deny Heaven to a baby? I guess that’s the only way it makes sense to me.
Moreover, the point of the second part of the verse to me is this:
We Need to Keep With Repentance.
By that, I mean that it has to be a continual process. And, there are two sides to this as well.
The first position is that if we are generally remorseful, seek and are granted repentance, then we should no longer continue participating in this sin. I guess in a perfect world that would be the case.
However, we are human. We do fall. We make mistakes. I certainly do.
Maybe we have repented of a sin, and yet we keep falling back into it. While not ideal, it’s ok to continue repenting. Just talk to God about it. My discussion goes something like this:
“Lord, I messed up again. I shouldn’t have done that. I know that it’s wrong. I thank you for strengthening me. I know that I am growing up to be closer to your image of me. I have seen the positive changes you have made in me. I am sorry that I let you down. I’m disappointed in myself, and I’m sure you are too. Please wash me clean; I know that you will accept my confession, and I thank you for the opportunity to cleanse myself. Please remove this regret and remorse from me, and give me the strength to overcome this next time. Amen.”
Here’s another likely example: we commit a sin, and then we confess and seek repentance. Then, we no longer commit this sin, but we move into other areas of sin. From that, we also need to continue repenting.
All that being said, it’s important to remember that this doesn’t give you:
A License to Sin
You could make the argument that we can sin all day long and then repent at night with a clear conscious. And then wake up and do it all over again.
Theoretically, I suppose that may be true. But it’s also contradictive to the point. If we are genuinely remorseful, then we should no longer commit that sin.
If you knowingly commit sin throughout the day, and you think that’s within your right to do so because you’re just going to repent at night, then I would argue that you’re not being genuine.
That, and what happens if you don’t make it to your night time prayer?
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