Where is the fruit?

Estimated Reading time: 5 minutes · Written by tim chilvers

If you have spent any time in a healthcare setting recently, you have likely encountered a familiar sight: the handwashing sign. These reminders to wash our hands seem commonplace now, but just 200 years ago, the idea that invisible germs could spread disease was revolutionary. The discovery of germ theory, thanks to scientists like Louis Pasteur, completely changed how we approach medicine and hygiene. It is a powerful example of how new information can radically alter our thinking and actions.The same is true in our personal lives. There are moments when we learn something so significant that it changes everything—about ourselves, our relationships, or our purpose. These revelations shift our perspective and cause us to see the world in a whole new way.

As we approach Easter, we enter a season of reflection called Lent. This is a time to pause, take stock of our lives, and prepare our hearts for the profound message of Easter. In the ancient world, when a king was coming, messengers would go ahead to announce his arrival, giving people time to prepare. In the same way, we are invited to prepare ourselves spiritually, to embrace a transformation that changes not just our beliefs but our very way of living.

The power of a word

One word that stands at the heart of this transformation is “repent.” Unfortunately, this word has often been misunderstood. For many, it conjures up images of stern, old-school preachers delivering fiery sermons about sin and judgment. But what if we have been missing the true meaning of this word?

The Greek word for repentance is metanoia, which carries a far deeper meaning than mere regret or sorrow. It signifies a radical change of mind, a fundamental shift in perspective. The theologian Alister McGrath explains that metanoia is not just about turning away from sin but about embracing a new way of thinking and living. It is about having our minds “blown” by a revelation so profound that we cannot remain the same.

A life-changing invitation

John the Baptist came preaching a simple yet powerful message:

“Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” (Matthew 3:2)

This message was repeated by Jesus and later by His disciples, emphasizing that God’s kingdom is not just a distant future reality—it is here, now. This is a call to wake up, to see the world differently, and to align our lives with God’s presence and purpose.

We all feel, at some level, that the world is not enough. We see the struggles of our time—uncertainty in leadership, fear of the future, and a longing for something more. Repentance is not just about escaping punishment but about embracing the opportunity to step into a different, richer story—one where God’s love and power shape our lives.

Turning away: letting go of the old

True repentance involves both turning away from something and turning toward something greater. John’s baptism symbolised a radical break from old ways of thinking and living. People confessed their sins, acknowledging their need for change.

For some, repentance means letting go of self-destructive habits—turning away from things we use to soothe our pain but which ultimately leave us empty. Whether it’s addiction, escapism, or materialism, we often seek salvation in places that cannot truly satisfy. Real transformation is not just internal—it bears fruit in our actions.

For others, repentance means stepping away from religious performance. John the Baptist confronted the religious leaders of his time who relied on outward rituals but lacked true transformation. He challenged them not to rely on tradition or status but to “produce fruit in keeping with repentance” (Matthew 3:8). It’s unclear what the religious leaders were doing, coming out to see John baptise others, but the motivation is clearer: they were not there, recognising their own need for salvation. They were there either to tick a religious box and to be seen by others or they were there to stand on the sidelines in order to critique others.

True repentance leads us to humility, not self-righteousness. It invites us to stop standing on the sidelines, merely observing or critiquing, and instead to step fully into the life God is calling us to live.

Turning towards: embracing the new

Repentance is not just about leaving something behind—it is about stepping into something better. John pointed ahead to Jesus, the one who would baptise with the Holy Spirit and fire. This is a call to transformation empowered by God Himself.

What if we truly believed that God’s power is available to us right now? What if we saw our lives as opportunities to reflect His love, to make a difference, and to live with purpose? Too often, we look back with regret or focus on our shortcomings. But as the theologian Kalistos Ware beautifully put it:

Repentance is about looking forward with hope, upwards at God’s love, and towards what we can become by His grace.

The opportunity of now

The kingdom of God is not just a future hope—it is a present reality. Stories abound of people experiencing unexpected moments of spiritual awakening. A young man finds his grandmother’s old Bible, reads it, and feels compelled to attend church for the first time in his life. Another person has a dream that stirs a longing to know more about faith. God is at work in ways we cannot always see, calling people to Himself in ways that defy expectation.

As we journey through Lent, we are invited to open our eyes to these moments. To see our daily lives as sacred opportunities. To recognise that hope is not just for some distant future, but for today. So what would it look like if we truly embraced this call? What if we stepped into each day with the awareness that God’s kingdom is here, now? What if we saw our challenges, our workplaces, our communities as places where God is already moving, inviting us to join Him?
Repentance, rightly understood, is not about fear—it is about freedom. It is about discovering that God is bigger, better, and more beautiful than we ever imagined. It is about stepping into the adventure of a transformed life.
This is the main event. God is at work now. And we are invited to respond.

The original teaching has been edited for clarity and brevity; This is not a transcript.