Bear Fruit Worthy of Repentance

In the General Rules of The United Methodist Church John Wesley writes:

"There is only one condition previously required of those who desire admission into these societies, 'a desire to flee from the wrath to come, and to be saved from their sins.' But wherever this is really fixed in the soul it will be shown by its fruits."

You may recognize these lines from the Gospel lesson for the Second Sunday of

In the General Rules of The United Methodist Church John Wesley writes:

"There is only one condition previously required of those who desire admission into these societies, 'a desire to flee from the wrath to come, and to be saved from their sins.' But wherever this is really fixed in the soul it will be shown by its fruits."

You may recognize these lines from the Gospel lesson for the Second Sunday of

Advent (Matthew 3:1-12). The line is from the mouth of John the Baptist. He was speaking to the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to him for baptism. John warned them their status as religious leaders could not save them or assure a place in God's kingdom. What God requires is holiness of heart and life (see Hebrews 12:14). John made clear the beginning of holiness is repentance, which is turning away from the way of the world and turning toward the way of God. He then told everyone repentance prepared the way for the coming of God's messiah, the Christ. He is the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit and fire. Christ is the one who is the way, the truth, and the life. He is the way of holiness; the way of love.

Love is the fruit of repentance. Holiness of heart is loving God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength. Holiness of life is loving those whom God loves, the ways God loves them.

John's mission was to prepare the people for the coming of Jesus Christ, the savior and judge of the world; the lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world; the bearer of the Holy Spirit; the one who reveals the way of life in God's kingdom.

Advent helps us see that the child born to Mary in Bethlehem is the one who will put the world right. The one we're preparing, waiting, and hoping for is not the helpless baby in the manger. Advent is about the coming again of the crucified and risen Jesus Christ who is Lord and Judge of the world. He calls the Church to live as his witness in the world and to follow his teachings through acts of compassion, justice, worship, and devotion under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. "Pursue peace with everyone, and the holiness without which no one will see the Lord. See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God" (Hebrews 12:14). Advent is the call to anticipate and prepare for the coming again of Christ by the pursuit of holiness of heart and life.

The "desire to flee the wrath to come, and to be saved from their sins" is the desire for holiness. That is the purpose and goal of the Methodism and the Methodist Rule of Life, the General Rules, summarized in the General Rule of Discipleship, and practiced in Covenant Discipleship groups. When we watch over one another in love and "provoke one another to love and good deeds, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another and all the more as you see the Day approaching" (Hebrews 10:24-25) we "bear fruit worthy of repentance" (Matthew 3:8).