June 12

Luke 3:7-20 (Click to see scripture)

Bible in One Year Passages:

Journal Entry

Scripture

Bear fruits in keeping with repentance. (3:8)

Observation

John the Baptist emphasizes here, as people are coming to him, on the importance of living a life that is accordance with what we say and who we are. We can say, we repented, but if our lives do not back up our repented lifestyle, then it's really no repentance. Then, how do we do this?
A few findings on repentance:
Repentance is 'turning around' from the old ways toward God. The old ways are ways of self -- having me-centered -- and the new ways are God-centered, and Kingdom-centered -- the way God has initially intended it to be for me to live out. It is about 'trusting' not 'willing'. Not will-power to do right thing, but trusting God that He will restore the life He intended for me to live out.
Thus, it's like bearing fruits: that we cannot make fruits, but we bear fruit by abiding in vine. It's an outcome of the life centered on God, life that trusts God who is able, life that chooses to follow HIs leading in each moment.
Thus, in every occasion, whoever we are, we will get to live out the kingdom life of sharing our tunics, collecting the tax that's just, not practicing unjust gain, etc. And this lifestyle will come as a result of life that's repented of the old and aligned with that of God's.

Application

Learning to trust God even in my repentance -- acknowledging that God is the core and the center.
It helps me be humble that there is nothing i can do on my own, even repenting is not solely upto me.
Any of my ways that's not pleasing, I bring it before Him as it is, rather than after I figure out what i am going to do with it, and represent my plan to God. Work on it together with God.

Prayer

Thank you, Lord, for reminding me that the life repented is not possible without You.
How much I desire to bear fruits that reflect the kingdom life, yet, it's not possible if i am aligned with You fully, if I don't return to the original way of how You have created me to be.
Help me focus on You in everything i do, even in my repentance.
Thank you, in Jesus' name.

--yanahn