MATTHEW 3:8-10
A patient who went through a heart-bypass surgery had this to say: “I cut down on portions and I do not eat fried food any more. I eat a lot of fruit and fresh food. I do not even buy things like biscuits. I think that is the secret; if they are not in the house, you cannot eat them.”
Medical studies have shown that even though people who have had heart-bypass surgery are told that they must change their lifestyle or die, about ninety percent do not change. It seems that most people would rather die than change.
Just as doctors preach a physical message of change to prevent death, John the Baptist came preaching a spiritual message of change. He was preparing the way for the coming of the Messiah, Jesus.
Repentance means to change one’s mind and attitude about God, which ultimately changes a person’s actions and decisions. Those who repent and accept Christ’s provision of forgiveness from their sins through His death on the cross will escape spiritual death (John 3:16). Repentance involves confessing sin with godly sorrow, and afterwards forsaking sin.
Today, the Lord is still calling us to repent and then to respond with the “fruits meet for repentance” (Matthew 3:8).
* Lord may we hate sin enough to turn from it, in Jesus’ name. Amen.
