Constant Gardening

Bear fruit in keeping with repentance. Matthew 3:8

D.L. MOODY
A friend had come to Christ and wished to consecrate himself and his wealth to God. He formerly had transactions with the government and had taken advantage of them. This thing came up when he was converted, and his conscience troubled him. He said, “I want to consecrate my wealth, but it seems as if God will not take it.” 
He had a terrible struggle; his conscience kept rising up and smiting him. At last, he drew a check for fifteen hundred dollars and sent it to the United States Treasury. He told me he received such a blessing when he had done it! 
That was bringing forth “fruits meet for repentance” (Matthew 3:8). I believe a great many men are crying to God for light, and they are not getting it because they are not honest with themselves.

ERWIN LUTZER
I’ve emphasized this before, but one of the great roadblocks to spiritual progress is a troubled conscience due to past wrongs that have not been made right. Restoration is a component of revival. Sometimes we cannot rectify the past because circumstances have changed, but then we should ask the Lord for wisdom as to what steps we should take to set matters aright. That is a fruit of repentance. 
And, there is only one way we can bear the fruit of repentance, “As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me” (John 15:4). We cannot fully experience the fruit of the Spirit—the qualities of the inner life that bring glory to God, unless we have done all we can to make the past right. When that is accomplished, we repeatedly affirm our dependence on Christ each and every day!

PRAYER
Father, enable me to rest in your provision and love so that I might bear much fruit for your glory.

REFLECTION QUESTIONS
Are there any past wrongs that you need to make right?

How can you build repentance into your daily walk with the Lord?