"Fruits Worthy of Repentance" Matt. 3:74
Edgar E. Holcomb
Lorain, Ohio
John's message of repentance and the necessity of bringing forth fruit worthy of repentance is a much needed lesson today. Without true repentance there can be no absolution of sins (Acts 3:19).
The Bible teaches that repentance, to change one's will to comply with God's will, must be manifested by an alteration of one's life. The person will endeavor to promote good while suppressing the things that are evil (I Pet. 3:11). If the life is not changed, then the transgressor has not repented for a good tree does not produce corrupt fruit (Lk. 6:43).
So it is that whenever aliens are really converted by the gospel of Christ, a remarkable change is easily noticeable in their lives (Acts 16:33; Gal. 1:23).
In like manner erring saints of God who sincerely repent will demonstrate by their actions a wonderful difference in their behavior (2 Cor. 7:11; Mk. 14:70-72; Acts 5: 29). Many in the church need to learn that repentance takes place in the mind and will of an individual and "going forward" front row of a meeting house is necessarily repentance (Eph. 6:6).
In view of the certainty and severity of coming judgment, all men are urged to and with all the heart obey Christ (Acts 17:30; 2 Thess. 1:8) Regardless of the kind of appearance we portray or how we may deceive men, we cannot fool God. He well knows if our fruits are worthy repentance (Gal. 6:7-8; Heb. 4:13).
Since it is either repent or Perish, may we all be persuaded by His word to truly repeat when we err that we may be granted, by the infinite mercies of God, that eternal prim which we seek (Lk. 13:3; Acts 11:18).
TRUTH MAGAZINE XIV; 42, p. 12
September 3, 1970
