Luke 3

How is your bible reading so far.  I hope you got started!  If not, it is ok… just start reading from today.  Encourage those around you to read as well.  And see you in tonight’s Bible Study service.

Bible Passage:  Luke 3

Therefore bear fruits worthy of repentance, and do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I say to you that God is able to raise up children to Abraham from these stones

Luke 3:8

I do not know about you, but once again, the Word of God continues to amaze me.  I am once again humbled and in fear of what came out strongly to me as I read today’s passage.

On the first day of our bible reading, I talked about how Luke’s example showed me the proper attitude I should have towards doing God’s work.  Then in Luke 2, I was shown that while lots of activity is good, it can be bad when we have no place for Jesus in our heart and do not devote sufficient time for prayer and meditation on the Word of God.

Today’s lesson for me is just as good – if not very important.

When John the Baptist was baptizing the crowds, he gave a very stern warning that we should “bear fruits worthy of repentance”.  In fact, it was not just a warning, but a demand that we should have evidence or fruits of repentance.

For those of us who are contented with our current faith status, the next couple of verses gives us cause for alarm…

and do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I say to you that God is able to raise up children to Abraham from these stones. ⁹ And even now the ax is laid to the root of the trees. Therefore every tree which does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.”

Luke 3:8-9

Do not think that just because we are in the true church we are ok.  There is a need for us to bear good fruits to show that we are sincere in our repentance and obedience to God.  The Israelites were complacent, thinking that since they are the chosen race of God, they have every right to God’s salvation.

But John knew that they had to be willing to go much further and show consistent positive actions (fruit in keeping with repentance).

Three things were mentioned by John the Baptist to show that one bears this fruit of repentance.

• The first was to have a heart of compassion that resulted in action.   We have to really care for the poor (“share coats, share food” – v.11) and not just talk about it or dream about it.
• The second was to have a Godly concept of power.   We must never abuse our power (“don’t collect more money than required”, “do not extort”, “don’t accuse falsely” – v.13-14).
• And the third was to learn to be content and not greedy (“be content with your pay” v.14).

Have we given thought to bearing fruits worthy of repentance?

We may want to do more for God this year.  We may even give loads of time to God in prayer and reading the word of God.

But there is one more very important thing to do…

John’s call echoes that of Prophet Micah when he said…

He has shown you, O man, what is good;
And what does the LORD require of you
But to do justly,
To love mercy,
And to walk humbly with your God?

Micah 6:8

Let not our faith be one in just thoughts and prayers.  Actions must accompany it for faith without works is dead.  And actions are not just about doing work.  It includes actions of repentance.

Prophet Isaiah reminds me that I need to considermy ways and turn back to God so that He will have mercy on me…

Let the wicked forsake his way
and the evil man his thoughts.
Let him turn to the LORD, and he will have mercy on him,
and to our God, for he will freely pardon.

Isaiah 55:7

May God continue to show us His thoughts and ways as we continue reading the Bible together.