Fruits of Repentance

January 5, 2014
The Paramon, or Day of Preparation for the Theophany of Christ

Fruits of Repentance: Saint Luke 3:1-18, especially vs. 8: “Therefore bear fruits worthy of repentance.” Saint Cyril of Alexandria identifies three essential fruits of repentance: first, “in the highest degree, faith in Christ; and next to it, the evangelic mode of life, and in general terms the works of righteousness in contradistinction to sin.” Above all the godly patriarch directs us to the motive that informs repentance. Then, he points us toward the characteristic worldview that flows from having “faith in Christ.” And this outlook, in turn, produces observable choices, behaviors, and efforts aimed at doing God’s will. These are foremost fruits of godly repentance.

In the present passage, the primacy of right faith in Christ appears clearly in the statements of the Holy Forerunner and Baptist John: “One mightier than I is coming, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to loose. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire” (vs. 16). Note that Saint John demonstrates the very repentance that he exhorts us to embrace by contrasting himself with Christ Jesus, the strongest, the worthiest, and the true Baptizer.

Even in the face of death, Saint John and the Lord Jesus spoke the truth fearlessly to persons of every station in society. Both paid with their lives, never wavering. John was beheaded for confronting the adultery of Herod and Herodias (Mk 6:14-29), while the Lord Jesus was executed by crucifixion after challenging the exploitation of the social, political, and religious elite of His day (Mk 11:15-12:40). Who was mightier, then? Saint John, of course, affirms that it is Christ our God, who will rise from the dead on the third day.

What then is the “faith in Christ” which Saint Cyril calls the “highest degree” of repentance? True faith in Christ asks us to respond obediently to the healing prescriptions of the Lord Jesus: “Arise, take up your bed and go to your house” (Mk 2:11); “Follow Me” (vs. 1:17); “Go home to your friends, and tell them what great things the Lord has done for you, and how He has had compassion on you” (vs. 5:19); “Go in peace, and be healed of your affliction” (vs. 5:34); “Take heed, beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and the leaven of Herod” (vs. 8:15); “Take up the cross and follow Me” (vs. 10:21); and lastly, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature” (vs. 16:15).

Such prescriptions are given to us for the healing of our specific needs and debilities. Unwavering trust in Christ is required if we are to do what He orders and complete the tasks He sets. May fear never hamper us when the Lord prescribes His healing commands! Let us rather preach by how we live that the Lord is working with us and confirming His word through us (vs. 16:20).

Note that obedience is primary for those who desire to be truly healed by Christ. Thus, when the Lord gives us a prescription, blessed are they “who hear the word of God and keep it!” (Lk 11:28). The Forerunner understands that we who have faith in Christ are to “fill the valleys” (Lk 3:5), hunger and thirst after righteousness (Mt 5:6), “level mountains” (Lk 3:5), become “poor in spirit” (Mt 5:3), “straighten crooked places” (Lk 3:5), be “pure in heart” (Mt 5:8), smooth the rough ways along the way (Lk 3:5), and serve as peacemakers (Mt 5:9).

Of course, if we seek above all else to acquire the Spirit with which the Lord baptizes (Lk 3:16), our lives will be shaped by the trust essential to our life in Christ. As a result, we no longer rely on ethnic, cultural, or religious heritage (vs. 8) but joyfully share with those in need (vs. 11). We reject the impulse to cheat, steal, or intimidate others (vss. 13-14) and become content with our station in life (vs. 14). We struggle within ourselves, working with the Lord’s help to cleanse the chaff of our lives from the threshing floor of our hearts (vs. 17).

O Divine Light, who hath been manifest in the flesh to those on earth, appearing to those in darkness, as Thy grace hath shone forth for all, may we also bear fruits worthy of repentance.

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