Luke 3:7-9
7 He said therefore to the crowds that came out to be baptized by him, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? 8 Bear fruits in keeping with repentance. And do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children for Abraham. 9 Even now the axe is laid to the root of the trees. Every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.”
John the Baptist issued a call to repentance. But this repentance was not just feeling sorry for our actions. This repentance needs to produce changed actions, to "bear fruits in keeping with repentance" (verse 8). There were probably some who came to be baptized by John just because it was the trendy thing to do, or because they felt a need for a clean slate. But true repentance produces true change. What is changing in my life?
Lord, may my righteous desires be matched by righteous behavior.
7 He said therefore to the crowds that came out to be baptized by him, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? 8 Bear fruits in keeping with repentance. And do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children for Abraham. 9 Even now the axe is laid to the root of the trees. Every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.”
John the Baptist issued a call to repentance. But this repentance was not just feeling sorry for our actions. This repentance needs to produce changed actions, to "bear fruits in keeping with repentance" (verse 8). There were probably some who came to be baptized by John just because it was the trendy thing to do, or because they felt a need for a clean slate. But true repentance produces true change. What is changing in my life?
Lord, may my righteous desires be matched by righteous behavior.