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MATTHEW 3 (ESV)

¹ In those days John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea, ² “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” ³ For this is he who was spoken of by the prophet Isaiah when he said,

“The voice of one crying in the wilderness:
‘Prepare the way of the Lord;
make his paths straight.’”

⁴ Now John wore a garment of camel’s hair and a leather belt around his waist, and his food was locusts and wild honey. ⁵ Then Jerusalem and all Judea and all the region about the Jordan were going out to him, ⁶ and they were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins.

⁷ But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his baptism, he said to them, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? ⁸ Bear fruit in keeping with repentance. ⁹ And do not presume to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father,’ for I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children for Abraham. ¹⁰ Even now the axe is laid to the root of the trees. Every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.

¹¹ “I baptize you with water for repentance, but he who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. ¹² His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor and gather his wheat into the barn, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.”

REFLECTION

• Before Jesus began His ministry on earth, John the Baptist prepared Judea for His appearance. Religious leaders believed they were saved by righteous living. When John told them to bear fruit in keeping with repentance (v8) he was telling them to change their mind about their need for a saviour and teach others to do the same.
• Salvation is not a fruit bearing event.  When Jesus enters someone’s life by his faith, he does a fundamental transformation of heart and behaviour. Salvation goes hand in hand with actually living it out.  Bearing fruit comes after we’re saved as we influence others through our changed attitude and behaviour, and by implementing the Lord’s plans for our life.
• How many times have you tried to change and only to be back at the same old habits and lifestyle as before? Quit what you’re doing and look at what God is doing inside and out; and choose to rely on the Holy Spirit to transform you.

PRAYER:

The kingdom of heaven is near, and we must repent. Loving Father, I have been baptized into Jesus Christ as Your disciple. I am an unworthy sinner, yet You baptized me with the Holy Spirit and made me holy. Lord, please remind me of Your Holy Spirit, enlighten me, and cleanse me. Align my actions with my identity of being saved. Please prune my branches and leaves so that I can always be connected to You, learn obedience in love, and bear spiritual fruit commensurate with my repentance. Amen!

HYMN:

Holy Spirit Living Breath of God – youtu.be/8nbMfLQd2P4