Read Luke 3:7-9 SOAP Luke 3:8-9
This message from John the Baptist is a far cry from the lullaby imagery of the sweet baby in a manger! The significance of Jesus' earthly presence was to cause men to see their need of repentance. The "wrath to come" refers to God's final judgment of sin. 18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. Romans 1:18 This is also described in I Thessalonians 1:10, "and to wait for his Sonfrom heaven, whom he raised from the dead, Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come.
The world must be confronted with the truth of their condition. No one can depend on family heritage or law-keeping to save him. ALL men must come to repentance, resulting in spiritual fruit. This is an important reminder to the believer that our security lies within our faith in Christ. For the promise to Abraham and his offspring that he would be heir of the world did not come through the law but through the righteousness of faith. Romans 4:13
Galatians 3:29 is helpful because it reconciles the Abrahamic covenant and the free will of man. So then, those who are of faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith. Salvation is always about personal faith - not family. (This is especially poignant to me, the daughter and granddaughter of preachers.) MY life must bear fruit and I cannot depend on my heritage. Father, help me to produce spiritual fruit and let it be an outpouring of my relationship with you.
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The scriptures really pointed out to me today that I must live like I have really repented of my sins. Does that mean I'll never sin? Of course not but I must strive daily or I will be judged. The world does watch a Christian's every move so we must show them the love of Christ by putting others first. This goes right along with what Bro Ben has been preaching about. I pray that I can show kindness to others and just simply show them LOVE!!!!!
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ReplyDeleteOur text spoke pretty loudly to me today that if I am calling myself a Christian then I had better have some Christian attributes and bear some good fruit in my life and truly that is my goal. But it doesn’t always happen that way in the world we have people publicly attacking each other with lies that attempt to destroy each other. Lying and cheating may be accepted in the world, but the bible speaks that all will stand before God (Romans 14:10) and be accountable for each word spoken out of out of our mouths and for the deeds we have done in this world.
We are the Church a light that God has set in this world and according to Matthew 5:13-16, the church is the salt of the earth. It goes on to say that, we are a light in the world, a city set on a hill. Is that how people see Christians today, I can only hope, for there are so many who use “I’m a Christian” so very lightly. Our soap scriptures speak on bearing fruits by repentance for our depraved sinful hearts that would attempt to exalt itself. If I talk it and then like the old saying goes….I gotta walk it so others will not shake their heads as they walk away and say “I thought they were Christians”. Hope I’m not being too harsh and I point it all back to me for fruit bearing requires a lot of work, so Lord let it begin with me. Let me point others to the cross that not one soul would be lost that crosses my path and allow my life to glorify You.
#fruitbearerinprogress
My grandma used to tell me "Kim, sometimes you're the only Bible some people will ever read". These scriptures remind me of that. Susie hit the nail on the head when she said if we are gonna talk the talk we better walk the walk. Our college class has been studying through the book of Acts. I love that example Paul sets for us to do just that. Even when being persecuted for his faith he still stood and shared the gospel with those around him. Lord, help me to always live Your Word out in front of others so that they might come to know you.
ReplyDeleteAlthough I'm so thankful for the Christian heritage that I have (raised in a Christian home by faithful parents), this scripture reminds me again that I'm not riding my parents coattails to heaven. I had to examine my heart today and ask "God, are you truly pleased with the fruit I'm producing?" I wonder how many times in my life a less gracious God would have already cut me off at the roots for being unfruitful?
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