Luke 3:7-9 – “John said to the crowds coming out to be baptized by him, “You brood of vipers!  Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath?  ⁸ Produce fruit in keeping with repentance.  And do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham.  ⁹ The ax is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.”

As I read, prayed, and considered the Word of God today, the condition of the heart, the evidence of faith, and transformation filled my consciousness.

John the Baptist in Luke 3 was baptizing large crowds, and some religious leaders came to be baptized.  John said something that today’s church would say was too harsh.   He called them snakes and said, “Therefore, produce fruit that proves your repentance…”   We know that it is not works that save us, but grace and faith, so that sounds contradictory.  However, if a person truly repents, a transformation occurs on the inside that is visible on the outside.

In Luke 5:36-39, we see this in a little different light.  New patches applied to old garments reveal what many try to achieve spiritually.  They take the new (gospel message) and try to add it to their old lifestyle—no change of heart.   

Then he spoke of the wineskins.   Again, some try to have God’s new wine operative in their unchanged lives.   In verse 39, we see the key: “No one after drinking the old wine wants the new, for he says, “The old is good enough.'”

Not only do we have to be transformed on the inside in salvation, but we also have to be flexible and pliable—moldable with a constant flow of God’s grace and Spirit.  Too many become satisfied with the status quo rather than seeking the continuous flow.  The transformation of our lives is reflected in our words.  What fills our hearts overflows in our words.  Words and actions are reflection pools.

What is in our hearts?  Do our lives reveal a changed heart?  What percentage of the time do we reflect a changed life?  Total transformation produces a continual overflow.

LORD, I pray that You will be manifested in us and represented by us.

Take the beatitudes of Luke 6 as your promise and measuring rod.  Make Luke 6:38 your daily activity.  Remember the words of Jesus in Luke 6:43-46.  What we are is reflected in the fruit we produce.  Fruit is not faked; it is produced.

Victory is our promise, and fruit is responsibility.  Fruit comes from the tree, and the tree is either a redeemed heart or a carnal mind. 
Be victorious!

May your day be filled with His Presence, and your Transformation be complete!