We Must Eat Locusts And Wild Honey To Please God - John The Baptist Series

Paul also penned one of my favourite passages of scripture: this is the Lord decreasing as it were - Philippians 2 v 5-11 Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men, and being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore also God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those who are in heaven, and on earth, and under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. John the Baptist knew the importance of genuine humility and so must we. This is not forcing ourselves unto a humility mould like a marshmallow, but a genuine work of God in each of our hearts.

[7]. Matthew 3 v 2 - “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” John’s preaching involved repentance and action. It meant turning away from sin and turning to faith in Jehovah, and repenting of sin in the waters of baptism in the Jordan. Christian baptism is not the same as John’s baptism. Many of the fundamental Christian words of the bible are being forgotten in our churches, among them, repentance, holiness, surrender, transformation and consecration. It has become politically incorrect to challenge people, or to disturb their own beliefs, no matter how wayward they might be, or to make them uncomfortable about their lack of commitment to the Lord. How many challenges have you heard from preachers, for people to repent from sin and be saved; or to dedicate one’s life to the Lord in a renewed commitment; or for Christians to repent from a carnal lifestyle? You will at the Keswick meetings usually.

John the Baptiser was committed to the message God gave him. He knew his God because he spent time in study and reflection. His locusts and wild honey were provisions from the Lord for his sustenance. The Lord has provided His word for us to sustain us in our desert, for this country is becoming a spiritual desert. Take your own locusts and wild honey. Gather it all first hand from the Lord. Show yourself a student of the word.

ronaldf@aapt.net.au