7He said therefore to the crowds that came out to be baptized by him, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? 8 Bear fruits in keeping with repentance. And do not begin 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. 9 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.”
John, called “the Baptist” is out in the wilderness baptizing those who come to him. He is living the calling that the Lord has set out for him from before birth. He is living what the Lord has set before him, which is what he is calling others to do. “Repent,” “Bear fruits in keeping with repentance.” We know now what we need to do with our lives in order to live as the Lord has told us, “Bear fruits in keeping with repentance.” Christian, if you ever wonder what the Lord has for you, this is it: “Bear fruits in keeping with repentance.” It is very simple. We will expand on what exactly that means next time, but this point should not be overlooked Christian, “Bear fruits in keeping with repentance.”
For those who grew up in a Christian home or going to Church: now let’s be very very clear here. You will stand in front of God when you die and He will ask why you should be allowed in the Kingdom of Heaven. If you answer is you went to church as a child, you know the truth; or, you grew up in a Christian home, and your parents go to church, you will be very sad to see that this is NOT the way to Heaven. The Jews have already tried this v.8 “Abraham is our father.” “We are Jewish, why wouldn’t God accept us?” they would say. Because, if you are not devoted to God and those whom He has sent then He is not just to allow you to be with Him forever.
For those who go to church on a regular basis: let’s be perfectly clear. You will stand before God when you die and He will ask why you should be allowed to enter the Kingdom of Heaven. If you answer is simply, you go to church every Sunday, you will be very sad when He tells you to go away and that He never knew you. The Jews tried this, also, already when they said “Abraham is our father.” You say you are a part of His bride, His Church; however, if you do not know Him now, you will not fellowship with Him then.
The point is this, no matter where you come from or what your locale is on Sunday, the Lord does not care. v.9 states that 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.” You can do and say what you want to but if your life does not reflect that of a repentant one then you will not be allowed to fellowship with and worship God forever. God can call anyone He wants to His kingdom, v.8.
Understand He does not need us and if we are called it is only by His grace. But, lest you be discouraged, there is a way. God has provided a way. He has told us know to have a relationship with Him. It is His son, Jesus Christ (John 3:16). There is no other way, “Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” This is pretty exclusive. So repent and accept Christ. God is able to forgive us through the death of His son, Romans 8:9-11
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