ESOCS Devotional 23 January 2026 – Repentance With Evidence
MEMORY VERSE: “Produce fruit in keeping with repentance.” Matthew 3:8 NIV
TEXT: MATTHEW 3:1–10
In those days John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea, 2 and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!” 3 For this is he who was spoken of by the prophet Isaiah, saying:
“The voice of one crying in the wilderness:
‘Prepare the way of the Lord;
Make His paths straight.’ ”
4 Now John himself was clothed in camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist; and his food was locusts and wild honey. 5 Then Jerusalem, all Judea, and all the region around the Jordan went out to him 6 and were baptized by him in the Jordan, confessing their sins.
7 But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his baptism, he said to them, “Brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? 8 Therefore bear fruits worthy of repentance, 9 and do not think to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I say to you that God is able to raise up children to Abraham from these stones. 10 And even now the ax is laid to the root of the trees. Therefore every tree which does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.
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Jesus paints a sobering image of final judgment. The King Jesus Himself separates people as a shepherd separates sheep from goats. This John the Baptist challenged the religious leaders who came to observe his ministry. These were men who took pride in their ancestry and external displays of religion; yet, John saw through their outward appearance. His call was simple but powerful: “Produce fruit in keeping with repentance.” In other words, true repentance is not just a change of mind; it must result in a change of life. Repentance means turning away from sin and turning toward God. But talk is cheap. John reminds us that real repentance is always accompanied by evidence a transformation that shows in how we live, what we value, and how we treat others.
What does the fruit of repentance look like?
Changed behaviour (Luke 19:8–9): Zacchaeus the tax collector gives us a powerful example. After encountering Jesus, he declared, “If I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount.” Jesus didn’t ask for this gesture; it flowed naturally from Zacchaeus’ transformed heart. His deeds aligned with his decision to follow Christ.
Turning from sin (Isaiah 55:7): “Let the wicked forsake their ways and the unrighteous their thoughts.” Repentance is not just feeling sorry but abandoning sinful ways. Paul echoed this in Acts 26:20 when he said people should “repent and turn to God and demonstrate their repentance by their deeds.”
Obedience to God (John 14:15): Jesus said, “If you love me, keep my commandments.” Obedience is not the root of salvation; it is the fruit of genuine repentance. We obey not to earn grace but because we’ve been changed by grace.
Bearing the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22–23): Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness—these are not natural traits, but supernatural evidence that the Holy Spirit is working in us. A repentant heart bears fruit because it is rooted in Christ (John 15:5).
Why does evidence matter?
Repentance without evidence is just empty religion. In Matthew 7:16, Jesus says, “By their fruit you will recognize them.” If someone claims to be changed by God but continues to live in wilful rebellion, something is wrong. As James 2:26 says, “Faith without works is dead.” True repentance reshapes our priorities, humbles our pride, and draws us closer to holiness. God is not looking for instant perfection, but progression towards perfection. Repentance is not a one-time act; it’s a daily turning of the heart toward God. When we fall, we rise again in His mercy and continue bearing fruit.
Reflections
- Is there real evidence of repentance in your life? Are there areas where you’ve said, “I repent,” but haven’t truly changed course? Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal any hypocrisy or hidden sin, and invite Him to produce lasting fruit in your life.
Prayer
- Father, I come before you in humility. Search my heart and show me where my repentance has been shallow or incomplete. Help me turn from sin with sincerity, and let my life reflect the change you’ve begun in me. May my deeds bring glory to your name and show others the transforming power of your grace, in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Further Reading: Isaiah 35:1-10; 59:1-21; Philippians 1:27-End; 2:1-4
ESOCS Devotional 23 January 2026
