Scripture to Read: Luke 3:10–14
Repentance, as we discussed in yesterday’s devotion, leads to bearing God’s fruit. There will always be an action with repentance. So, as God led John to preach to the Jews, we find them asking him what they should do. We read in Luke 3:10–14, “And the crowds were questioning him, saying, ‘Then what shall we do?’ 11 And he would answer and say to them, ‘The man who has two tunics is to share with him who has none; and he who has food is to do likewise.’ 12 And some tax collectors also came to be baptized, and they said to him, ‘Teacher, what shall we do?’ 13 And he said to them, ‘Collect no more than what you have been ordered to.’ 14 Some soldiers were questioning him, saying, ‘And what about us, what shall we do?’ And he said to them, ‘Do not take money from anyone by force, or accuse anyone falsely, and be content with your wages.’” If we’re not careful here, this could come across as a “works-based salvation,” but that is not the point at all. God had John give the people practical ways to show what true repentance looks like. When we turn away from our selfishness and willingly follow our Lord, then we will be kind to others, share our treasures with others, and not take advantage of anyone. God tells us in Micah 6:8, “He has told you, O man, what is good; And what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?” That’s it!
Challenge & Application
What kind of things does repentance lead you to do as evidence that you have truly repented?
What does it look like to do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?
Don’t forget to pray using the A.C.T.S. (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication) method!