Father, Son and Spirit I seek full fellowship with you so I can draw others into your fellowship.
“Therefore produce fruit that proves your repentance, and donʼt begin to say to yourselves, ʻWe have Abraham as our father.ʼ For I tell you that God can raise up children for Abraham from these stones! Even now the ax is laid at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.”
So the crowds were asking him, “What then should we do?” John answered them, “The person who has two tunics must share with the person who has none, and the person who has food must do likewise.” (Luke 3:8-11)
When the crowd asked John what should we do to avoid being thrown into the fire which is hell, he did not answer and tell them they had to repent and do more pious things in their faith: go to church more, pray more, read the Torah more. He told them to avoid hell they needed to repent and do more tangible things in their faith.
The Jews relied heavily on the pious things of their faith. Like their ancestry and heritage to prove they were the chosen people of God. If asked by someone to prove their faith they would answer:
“Yes, I obey the Sabbath and go to the synagogue.
Or “Yes, I am a descendent of Abraham.”
Or “Yes, I am the son/daughter of ______________.”
John forcefully rejected that claim and said their proof of their faith is not in their heritage, religion, or piety; it is in their fruit. John’s words are directed towards us as well, as that is what we rely on as well.
If we are asked to prove our faith, if someone asks us if we are a Christian, what do we answer? Many Christians reply as the Jews did when asked and get on the treadmill of religion and tradition. In our response we say, “Yes, I attend __________________ church every Sunday. (Fill in the blank with your church name.).
Or “Yes, I am _________________ (fill in the blank with your denomination)
Or “Yes, my family has attended this church for years.”
Or ,”Yes, I serve on ____________church committee.”
Yet where is the fruit in this? When most of us have enough cloths in our closets to cloth the average African village. When we have more food in our fridge, freezer, and pantries than many around the world will see in a month. When we have empty guest bedrooms while our brothers and sisters are sleeping on the streets in the cold. John’s response to us would be, “You brood of vipers and hypocrites, you know the axe is set at your feet to cut down lives that don’t bear fruit.”
Lord, Jesus, in this season where every where I turn there is antagonism and “self-reliance” being presented,. help me to examine my level of “self- giving” and truly be part of a people who are known as “Christians” who bear fruit as extravagant, thankful givers.
My family, I pray this morning you read John’s words above and as the crowds that heard them, ask God in prayer, “What then should I do?” “To whom shall I go?” “Where should I give?” In Jesus’ name. Please pray the same for me. God bless you my friends!
Please share your reflections and prayers in the comment box below.
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My wife Nancy and I are beginning a new year and new season of our ministry with ODC of pouring completely into planting and growing simple house churches in our neighborhoods, and having “boots on the ground” serving in our community.. Please pray over this season in my life and that of my family. Please partner and support myself and One Direction community through setting up a monthly donation or a one –time gift by clicking the link below. Donation checks can be made out to ODC, PO Box 1293 Madison, Al 35758. Thank You!
