Anchor My Faith

Fruit Validates Our Repentance

Scripture: Matthew 3:7-10

In our previous lesson, it seems that the common people were the first to come to hear John and as they responded and the crowds increased in size, it caught the attention of those in authority. As those religious leaders come, John has a special word for them: “But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his baptism, he said to them, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come?” (Matthew 3:7 ESV). Who are these Pharisees and Sadducees?

A footnote in the ESV Study Bible, Copyright 2008 by Crossway Bibles, defines Pharisees and Sadducees as follows: “Pharisees. A laymen’s fellowship, popular with the common people and connected to local synagogues, chiefly characterized by adherence too extensive extrabiblical traditions, which they rigorously obeyed as if a means of applying the law to daily life. Sadducees. A small group who derived their authority from the activities of the temple. They were removed from the common people by aristocratic and priestly influence as well as by their cooperation with Rome’s rule.”

In describing these leaders, John uses some very strong words by calling them a brood of vipers. A viper was well known for their subtle movements and their lethal strikes; not a very nice description of those who should be helping people grow in their understanding of and relationship with God. The wrath to come is reference to the coming Messiah that John is preparing the way for.

John continues by saying: “Bear fruit in keeping with repentance” (Matthew 3:8 ESV). Much later in our study, Jesus will inform us that we know people by their fruits (Matthew 7:15 – 20). Fruit is that evidence of inward change. John is making it clear to those who are repenting, that it is not words alone, but the validation of those words by a changed life; the bearing of fruit.

John continues: “And do not presume to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father,’ for I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children for Abraham” (Matthew 3:9 ESV). It was an understanding among many that being related to Abraham made them children of God. That was like thinking that my parents are Christian, so I am, therefore, a Christian. John is suggesting more is needed than seeing Abraham as their father. That relationship does not provide the level of righteousness required by God. John is comparing them with stones and indicating it would take as much effort on God’s part to raise up stones as to raise up them with their hard hearts.

John returns to their fruit: “Even now the axe is laid to the root of the trees. Every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire” (Matthew 3:10 ESV). The tree that does not bear fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire of eternal hell. Later in our studies we will learn that we must abide in Jesus in order to bear good fruit. Fruit is not produced by one’s relationship with Abraham, but with the coming Messiah, Jesus.

Prayer

Father, John calls out their sin and declares the need of repentance, but it is to be a repentance, not of words only, but that which gives evidence of a changed life, the bearing of good fruit. As I look at Christianity in the west, I don’t see much good fruit that sets believers apart from those of the world. When I look at Christians living under persecution who will risk their lives just to stand with Jesus; when I hear them seek forgiveness from their persecutors and speak expressions of love to them; then I see the fruit of and the meaning of “love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you” (Matthew 5:44). Fruit validates one’s life.