And the people asked him, saying, What shall we do then?  (11)  He answereth and saith unto them, He that hath two coats, let him impart to him that hath none; and he that hath meat, let him do likewise.  (12)  Then came also publicans to be baptized, and said unto him, Master, what shall we do?  (13)  And he said unto them, Exact no more than that which is appointed you.  (14)  And the soldiers likewise demanded of him, saying, And what shall we do? And he said unto them, Do violence to no man, neither accuse any falsely; and be content with your wages.

Luke 3:10-14 

Explanation:
In these themes of John’s preaching we find out that our own personal sin must be dealt with through repentance. We have learned that God’s judgement for sin will be on all who not repent. We have learned that neither religious ritual or birth can substitute for true repentance and faith in Christ.

Upon hearing these themes there was a response from those listening in the form of a question. Verse 10 records it well. “What shall we do then?” What does genuine repentance look like? John quickly answers this question with yet another one of the themes of his private counsel. His private counsel and public preaching had the same message. What should they do? They should live in accordance with repentant hearts!

Notice that the fruit of repentance dealt with areas of temptation that came to each area of these people’s lives.

And the people asked him, saying, What shall we do then?  (11)  He answereth and saith unto them, He that hath two coats, let him impart to him that hath none; and he that hath meat, let him do likewise.

Luke 3:10-11

Those who are rich tend to think that everything that they have is for their consumption. To the rich he said, “Repentant people are generous.”

(12)  Then came also publicans to be baptized, and said unto him, Master, what shall we do?  (13)  And he said unto them, Exact no more than that which is appointed you.

Luke 3:12-13

Those who were tax collectors enriched themselves by gouging people with extra taxes and pocketing the money. They were known to be people who swindled others out of money. To the tax collector he said “Repentant people have integrity.”

(14)  And the soldiers likewise demanded of him, saying, And what shall we do? And he said unto them, Do violence to no man, neither accuse any falsely; and be content with your wages.

Luke 3:14

Soldiers had both physical strenght and training and the power of the Roman government behind them. They could use this position of power to hurt people and leverage circumstances for what they wanted. To the soldier he said “Repentant people are just, honest and content.”

Application:
Every person finds themselves in a circumstance that affords them some temptation to rely on something other than repentance and faith in Christ for salvation. We all have temptations specific to our situation that will cause us to stray. There really are fruits in keeping with repentance. James said it this way:

What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?  (15)  If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food,  (16)  And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit?  (17)  Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.  (18)  Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.

James 2:14-18

Genuine faith and genuine repentance also produces good works. Good works do not produce salvation. Salvation will be justified by the works that God produces in us.

Response:
Are there genuine fruits of faith and repentance in your life?