Okay, I'll admit it, I'm pondering this one a lot. I was struck by the error of the religious leaders, who claim Abraham as their father as proof of their standing with God. That seems like saying, "I was baptized in the Methodist church, so I'm good." John the Baptist puts an end to that line of thinking.
But what really has me thinking is John's command to obey. He commands that we repent, and then that we produce fruit in keeping with repentence. That has me pondering holy living. I like the definition of repentence as "turning from sin, and returning to God and the life he has for you." So as I do that, what kind of fruit should my life produce? Is it enough to produce the fruit of turning to God; stuff like prayer and study? Is it enough to produce the fruit of living out God's purpose; doing ministry? Does fruit have to do with sharing my faith? Or is it only fruit if I see results; saved souls? I'm sure it is a combination. And I'm certain producing the fruit in keeping with repentence is a worth while endeavor.
Lord, as I ponder what it means to produce fruit in keeping with repentence, may you show me how to do just that. Be patient with me dear father. Amen.
This is a tough one for me as well. I don't always understand the scriptural concept of what "bearing fruit" means. There's a verse in Genesis 18 that always intrigues me. Over the years I hear many people say, 'Well, this is why God chose Abraham, and THis is why God chose Abraham, and THAT is why God chose Abraham." And yet this little verse seems to tell me why God chose Abraham, "For I know him, that he will teach his children and his household after him, to keep the ways of the Lord." It seems to me that we have been so conditioned in the church to see "fruit" as only soul-winning that we don't consider what we do to save our OWN children, or minister to our families, or those immediately around us as REAL fruit. And yet! Is reaching people for Christ a grossly underfed endeavor in our church experience today? I think so. Obedience to God's purpose on a daily basis is not an easy thing to figure out.
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