Fruit-Bearing

Daily Reading:  Luke 3

Scripture Focus:  Bear fruits in keeping with repentance. And do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ (Luke 3.8)

Devotional Thought:  John the Baptist didn’t compromise on the truth.  He said if you want to come to God you have to stop moving away from him!  In short, you must repent.  And, that involves a change in behavior: “produce fruits in keeping with repentance.” 

What was included in John's message of repentance?  Or, what was the “fruit in keeping with repentance”?  John cited three things:

·       He told the crowds: Share your excess.  In their day, just as today, there were economic differences in the population.  The rich were getting richer and the poor were getting poorer.  John said that that was not right.  He said you should develop a culture of generosity by sharing.

·       He told the tax collectors: Be fair and honest.  The tax collectors of that day were unscrupulous in their methods.   They would use whatever means necessary to make a buck and oppress the rights of the taxpayer.  I think that John the Baptist would be investigated by today’s IRS!

·       He told the soldiers: Don't abuse your power. Roman soldiers had certain rights and privileges over the general population.  They operated under the principle “might makes right.”  John’s message was different.  Live in humility and equality.

This seems like a good message for today - and not just for people in positions of power.  If we are serious about following Jesus, John’s message of repentance is a good place for us to start, too.  Those who would follow Christ should be generous, fair and honest, and kind and humble.  How is that expressed in your life today?

Prayer: Lord, in this holy season, show me the areas where I need to grow, the ways I need to repent, and the fruits I need to bear.  Make me more like you, O Lord.  Amen.

Psalm of the Day: Psalm 134.1-3

1 Come, bless the Lord, all you servants of the Lord, who stand by night in the house of the Lord!

2 Lift up your hands to the holy place and bless the Lord!

3 May the Lord bless you from Zion, he who made heaven and earth!