Scripture to Read: Luke 3:7–9
God had Luke record what John was preaching to the Jews of his day. We read in Luke 3:7–9, “So he began saying to the crowds who were going out to be baptized by him, ‘You brood of vipers, who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? 8 Therefore bear fruits in keeping with repentance, and do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham for our father,’ for I say to you that from these stones God is able to raise up children to Abraham. 9 Indeed the axe is already laid at the root of the trees; so every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.’” God had chosen John to be the forerunner for Christ. John was definitely not timid or shy, and he had no problem calling it like he saw it. He called the people who were coming out to hear him a “brood of vipers.” John told all of them that they were children of snakes or offspring of evil. John pointed out to them that they all had a sin nature and that because of it they were separated from God. John also challenged them to “bear fruits in keeping with repentance.” True repentance will always lead to producing God’s fruit in our lives (Galatians 5:22–23). Many Jews thought that being descendants of Abraham guaranteed them a right relationship with God. God used John to quickly destroy their false beliefs. Only through our Messiah, Jesus our Lord, can anyone be made right with God the Father.
Challenge & Application
Because everyone has a sin nature, why is repentance a must for anyone to be made right with God?
Why will true repentance always produce God’s fruit in the lives of those who repent?
Don’t forget to pray using the A.C.T.S. (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication) method!