What is the fruit of repentance?
The fruit of repentance is a changed life. It is a turning away from something and a turning to something. It’s a change—a change of direction; a change of desire. It’s a turning away from a life pursuit of sin, self-righteousness, and self-centeredness, and a turning to the Lord with a new mind, a new heart, and a new will.
Saving faith is then the entrusting of your life and your soul to the Lord Jesus Christ—but you must be turned in order to believe.
So, the fruit of regeneration is really a lifelong turning away from sin and turning to follow after Jesus Christ. It is no longer going your own way, according to the course of this world. Now, with the world behind me and the cross before me, I am a follower of Jesus Christ. That turning is repentance, and it’s a lifelong repentance.
This transcript is from a live Ask Ligonier event with Steven Lawson and has been lightly edited for readability. To ask Ligonier a biblical or theological question, email ask@ligonier.org or message us on Facebook or Twitter.