Preach On, Brother John

Confess your sins and repent for that is the only way you can flee from the wrath or anger that is to come. In addition to this “bear fruits worthy of repentance”. There are two parts to repentance; turning from your sin and turning toward your God. There will be evidence of a change in your heart and a change in your life. The old will vanish and the new will appear.

“And even now the ax is laid to the root of the trees. Therefore, every tree which does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire” (Luke 3:9).

Confession of sin and a changed life go together. The Pharisees and Sadducees really did not want to change the thinking or their ways. They thought change was for others and not for them. These religious leaders thought they had it made because Abraham was their father. This is like saying that we do not have to repent and give our lives to Christ because our earthly father did and that should cover us. It just does not work that way.

The Kingdom of Heaven is near and if we do not confess, repent, and bear fruit, it may be too late and we will be cast into the fire.

The people asked, “What shall we do then?”

John said, “He who has two tunics, let him give to him who has none; and he who has food, let him do likewise” (Luke 3:11).

Those of us who have clothes handing in the closet need to get them out and give them to individuals or to organizations like the Salvation Army, Goodwill, or the Rescue Mission. There are so many people who have a need for wearing apparel. Good shoes that we no longer want or wear should be given to those who are barefooted. Games, books, knickknacks, bedding, and other things we no longer use need to be given to those who could use them.

This wealthy United States in which we live has many people who are hungry, homeless, and lonely. It really makes me sad when I go into a restaurant and see the amount of food that is wasted because it cannot be given to someone else. It breaks my heart to see homeless people, God’s children; living on the streets and eating out of the garbage cans and trash bins. There are many people in living facilities who have no visitors, either because they have no family or the family has chosen to forget them.

John told the people, “He who has two tunics, let him give to him who has none; and he who has food, let him do likewise” (Luke 3:11). We need to be giving instead of being greedy. We need to show our faith by our actions.

The tax collectors asked, “What shall we do?”

John said, “Collect no more that what is appointed for you” (Luke 3:13).

Dishonesty and cheating has become a way of life for some people. There are many who cheat on the income tax returns. Many workers cheat their employer by wasting time. Many small car sales lots sell cars for much more than they are worth. Builders charge high prices for houses, but use inferior materials or cheap products in the construction process.

John said, “Collect no more than what is appointed for you” (Luke 3:13).

The soldiers asked, “And what shall we do?”