Repentance and Bearing Fruit

Repentance and bearing fruit have been fresh on my mind lately. Maybe it’s because a new year naturally brings reflection, or perhaps it’s the weight of what I’ve been studying in my downtime—repentance and bearing fruit. Either way, I couldn’t think of a better way to start the year than by diving into this truth.

I’ve come to realize more than ever how important it is for us to bear fruit. In Luke 13, some people came to Jesus and told Him about how Pilate had mixed the blood of some Galileans with their sacrifices.

When they shared this, Jesus responded with a striking question—one that wasn’t merely rhetorical, considering the mindset of the people at the time:

“Do you suppose that these Galileans were worse sinners than all other Galileans because they suffered such things?”

Then, instead of letting them sit in speculation, He gave them a clear warning: No, they were not worse sinners. But unless they repented, they would all likewise perish.

It’s easy to look at others and assume their suffering is a result of their sin, but Jesus flips that perspective back onto the listener. The real question isn’t about them—it’s about us. Have we repented? Are we bearing fruit?

As I continue digging into this, I want to explore what true repentance looks like and how bearing fruit is the evidence of a transformed life. Because repentance isn’t just about feeling sorry—it’s about turning, changing, and producing something new.

Greater Suffering, Greater Sin

Growing up, I often thought that if someone was suffering, they must have done something terrible. It seemed like a natural assumption—after all, wouldn’t God bless those who do right and punish those who do wrong?

But as I’ve grown in my faith, I’ve realized how flawed that thinking is. Even in the body of Christ today, this misconception lingers.

We often assume that if someone’s suffering is great, they must have committed some ultimate sin. Yet, Scripture tells a different story.

But if we look at the story of Job, we see how misguided that thinking is. His friends believed his suffering was proof of hidden sin, yet God rebuked them for their ignorance.

Even today, many measure God’s favor by wealth, status, or charitable giving, as if those things determine righteousness.

Jesus addressed this same misconception when His disciples asked about the man who was born blind.

They assumed either he or his parents had sinned, but Jesus made it clear: neither had sinned—his condition existed so that God’s glory could be revealed (John 9:3).

Likewise, in Luke 13, Jesus warned that suffering is not necessarily a sign of guilt, but repentance is still necessary:

“Unless you repent, you too will all perish.”

It is foolish to assume suffering means someone is out of God’s favor. That thinking contradicts everything Jesus stood for.

If His divine plan involved suffering, why do we view suffering as something to be avoided at all costs? Isaiah 53:10 declares, “It pleased the Lord to bruise Him.”

Suffering does not mean you haven’t repented. It does not mean you aren’t bearing fruit. And it certainly does not mean you are bearing fruit.

Peter said it best: “For it is better, if it is God’s will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil” (1 Peter 3:17).

So, how can you know what you are suffering for? I’m glad you asked. The Bible makes it clear—it is by our fruit. Bearing fruit is the evidence of a transformed life and what sets us apart from the world.

Bearing Fruit With Repentance

The Bible makes it clear that a good tree cannot produce bad fruit, nor can a bad tree produce good fruit. This principle is foundational to understanding how repentance and bearing fruit work in our lives.

But let’s go back to Luke 13:1-9. Jesus tells the people to repent, and then He shares a parable about a fig tree in a vineyard.

After doing a little research, I discovered that it wasn’t uncommon for a fig tree to be planted alongside a vineyard.

The people of Jesus’ time were familiar with this, as well as with the practices of cultivation and planting. Jesus spoke directly to them in ways they could understand, using familiar cultural references.

In the parable, the owner of the vineyard (God) comes seeking fruit from the tree for three years. Now, there are a few interpretations of this three-year period.

Some suggest it reflects the length of Jesus’ ministry, while others see it as a metaphor for the previous chapter, where Jesus rebuked the people for being able to interpret the weather but failing to recognize the urgent need for repentance.

This all ties together. I believe Jesus was warning the people of His time, but He is also warning us today.

The call to turn from sin and bear fruit is not just a historical lesson—it is a timeless message for all of us.

Key Takeaways:

1. Turing from sin is necessary – Jesus calls us to repent, just as He called the people of His time to do.

2. Bearing fruit is a sign of genuine faith – Our actions reflect the fruit we bear, which separates us from the world.

3. God’s patience and warning – God seeks fruit from us, and He’s patient, but there is also an urgency in His call to repent.

4. Jesus speaks to us today – Just as He warned the people of His time, His message of turning away from sin and showing proof of salvation is for us now.

This is part one of a two-part blog. In the next post, we’ll dive deeper into what it means to bear fruit and how we can ensure we’re living in alignment with God’s call.