Ever heard the saying put your money where your mouth is? Or some guy talking smack about how he got game on the court, only to find out he can’t play to save his life?
Luke 3:1-20 NLT
[1] It was now the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius, the Roman emperor. Pontius Pilate was governor over Judea; Herod Antipas was ruler over Galilee; his brother Philip was ruler over Iturea and Traconitis; Lysanias was ruler over Abilene. [2] Annas and Caiaphas were the high priests. At this time a message from God came to John son of Zechariah, who was living in the wilderness. [3] Then John went from place to place on both sides of the Jordan River, preaching that people should be baptized to show that they had repented of their sins and turned to God to be forgiven. [4] Isaiah had spoken of John when he said, “He is a voice shouting in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the LORD’s coming! Clear the road for him! [5] The valleys will be filled, and the mountains and hills made level. The curves will be straightened, and the rough places made smooth. [6] And then all people will see the salvation sent from God.’” [7] When the crowds came to John for baptism, he said, “You brood of snakes! Who warned you to flee the coming wrath? [8] Prove by the way you live that you have repented of your sins and turned to God. Don’t just say to each other, ‘We’re safe, for we are descendants of Abraham.’ That means nothing, for I tell you, God can create children of Abraham from these very stones. [9] Even now the ax of God’s judgment is poised, ready to sever the roots of the trees. Yes, every tree that does not produce good fruit will be chopped down and thrown into the fire.” [10] The crowds asked, “What should we do?” [11] John replied, “If you have two shirts, give one to the poor. If you have food, share it with those who are hungry.” [12] Even corrupt tax collectors came to be baptized and asked, “Teacher, what should we do?” [13] He replied, “Collect no more taxes than the government requires.” [14] “What should we do?” asked some soldiers. John replied, “Don’t extort money or make false accusations. And be content with your pay.” [15] Everyone was expecting the Messiah to come soon, and they were eager to know whether John might be the Messiah. [16] John answered their questions by saying, “I baptize you with water; but someone is coming soon who is greater than I am-so much greater that I’m not even worthy to be his slave and untie the straps of his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire. [17] He is ready to separate the chaff from the wheat with his winnowing fork. Then he will clean up the threshing area, gathering the wheat into his barn but burning the chaff with never-ending fire.” [18] John used many such warnings as he announced the Good News to the people. [19] John also publicly criticized Herod Antipas, the ruler of Galilee, for marrying Herodias, his brother’s wife, and for many other wrongs he had done. [20] So Herod put John in prison, adding this sin to his many others.
A small boy was playing on the floor near the radio, which was broadcasting a religious service. As the voice of the minister intoned the words of the Apostles’ Creed—“I believe in God . . .”—the small boy, without looking up or even pausing in his play, added, ”So do I,” and carried on—as if nothing had happened. Obviously familiar with the ritual and at ease with the concept of God, the boy had no difficulty stating his belief. But his statement, which was no doubt true, was strangely empty—it was more reflexive than reflective.
Such an approach to belief in God is perfectly understandable for a small boy. But similar attitudes are as troublesome as they are common in grown people. Many profess to believe in God, but some say it in such a way that it appears to have little impact on the way they live their lives. Their attention is not deviated from the their toys for a fraction of a second. Surely to believe in God should at least give cause for thought and prompt a pause for reflection.
This was one of the concerns of John the Baptist. He spoke out fiercely against the “nominalism” of the religion of his day. His contemporaries not only believed in God, they believed they were God’s favorites. “We’re safe—we’re the descendants of Abraham,” they claimed. In a sense they were right; God had made a special covenant with Abraham, and they were indeed Abraham’s descendants. But as John pointed out to them, “That proves nothing. God can change these stones here into children of Abraham” (Luke 3:8 NLT). Merely to claim a special relationship with God, giving no evidence by living a life of humble submission to God and trust in him is to qualify for divine judgment. John warned them ominously, “Every tree that does not produce good fruit will be chopped down and thrown into the fire” (Luke 3:9 NLT).
This got the attention of John’s hearers! When they asked what they should do (Luke 3:10 NLT), John explained that they should demonstrate that they had “turned from their sins and turned to God to be forgiven” (Luke 3:3 NLT). They would demonstrate that they were changed by changing the way they treated other people (Luke 3:11-14 NLT).
Truly forgiven sinners are thoroughly repentant and deeply changed people. They do not continue callously in their sin, nor do they embrace carelessly their forgiveness. Instead, they learn to hate the sin they loved, and they start to love the people they despised. The wealthy become generous, the corrupt become honest, the powerful become gentle, the discontented become satisfied, and the merciless become merciful. All this because they truly believe. To paraphrase John, “Let those whose belief does not behave beware!”
Mark 7:6 NIV
[6] He replied, “Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you hypocrites; as it is written: “ ‘These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me.
James 1:22-23 NIV
[22] Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. [23] Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror
Be strong in His Grace and never quit walking the Lords talk!
From an Unworthy servant,
Chris Chloupek
Lead Evangelist