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An account of the ministry of John the Baptist is recorded in Matthew chapter 3. All who were converted under his ministry were required by him to "BEAR FRUITS WORTHY OF REPENTANCE" (v.8).
What are "fruits worthy of repentance"? We may summarize them as the "fruit of the Spirit," in contrast to the "works of the flesh," as cited and contrasted by Paul the apostle in Galatians 5:19-25.
The "works of the flesh" (vv.19-21) are those which characterize the unconverted. "Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, licentiousness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God."
But the "fruit of the Spirit" (vv.22f) is that which characterizes the converted. (Note the singular "fruit of the Spirit," in contrast to the plural "works of the flesh." The converted must bear every aspect of this one fruit.) "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law."
True converts will put to death the "works of the flesh" which characterized their unconverted state (v.24): "And those who are Christ's have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires."
And true converts will also be led by the Holy Spirit to manifest the "fruit of the Spirit" (v.25): "If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit."
John the Baptist accordingly required that his disciples manifest such "fruits worthy of repentance" (Luke 3:10-14). For example, he required generosity of all converts (vv.10f), fairness of converted tax collectors (vv.12f), and consideration and contentment of converted soldiers (v.14).
Why are "fruits worthy of repentance" required of converts? Converts are God's elect, His chosen people of whom good works are required.
1) God's elect have been predestined to perform good works (John 15:16): Jesus said of them, "You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain." Paul the apostle writes of the elect, "[God] chose us in [Christ] before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love" (Ephesians 1:4). The people chosen to be holy must perform holy works. God's elect therefore confess, "For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand [i.e. predestined before the foundation of the world] that we should walk in them" (Ephesians 2:10).
2) God's elect have been predestined to be just like Jesus Christ (Romans 8:29): "For whom [God] foreknew [in sovereign election unto salvation], He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son [Jesus Christ], that He might be the firstborn among many brethren." Jesus Christ "went about doing good" (Acts 10:38). His elect people therefore go about imitating Him.
It is therefore absolutely necessary for true converts to "bear fruits worthy of repentance." And it is absolutely true that professing converts who do not perform such good works are not true converts.
This matter is serious. The ungodly works of many professing converts prove that they are not true converts. "Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your calling election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble; for so an entrance will be supplied to you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ" (2 Peter 1:10f). "Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith" (2 Corinthians 13:5).
Your servant for Jesus' sake.
Address all questions to pastor
Daniel E. Parks (2 Corinthians 4:5) e-mail RedeemerBC@aol.com
Pastor, Redeemer Baptist Church
2801 Cleveland Boulevard, Louisville, KY 40206 / 502.899-9205
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