It is not a word that Christians use as much as they once did. I confess, like many modern preachers, I don't use the word a lot, probably not nearly as much as I should.
John the Baptist spoke very harsh words to the Pharisees and Sadducees who came out to see him. You remember how the Gospels describe John and his preaching. He was preaching out in the Judean Desert, saying "Repent for the kingdom of God is at hand."As the crowds responded to his message they confessed their sins and were baptized by John the Baptizer.
But when the Pharisees and Sadducees came, his message changed somewhat. Not doubt he said much more than this, but these are the words that Matthew (and Luke) records:
“You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? Produce fruit in keeping with repentance." Matthew 3:7, 8
What impresses us most on first reading is how harsh and confronting his first words are. I've heard some fiery preachers who sounded very angry with their audience, but I've never heard anything as strong as "you bunch of snakes". John stood in the long line of OT prophets who spoke without fear, the message God gave them.
But notice his comment about repentance. "Produce fruit in keeping with, or reflective of repentance." The NLV puts it this way"Prove by the way you live that you have repented of your sins and turned to God."
The NT meaning of repentance is to "turn from, to make a change of direction; it is a transformation, a turnaround". Unlike some who write about repentance, John is not quoted as saying anything about feeling sorry, or crying tears of repentance. That may often be experienced. But it is not the evidence of repentance.
John calls for evidence of repentance, not emotion. If a person repents - turns, changes direction - it should be evident. Physically speaking, it is obvious to any onlooker when a person or a vehicle changes direction. So we should expect if someone has repented, there will be life change evident. That is what John calls for. He does not want to simply baptize religious people who become a little more religious. He calls for change.
Sometimes we miss that when we talk about "receiving or trusting in Jesus; becoming a follower of Jesus." To be biblical, to be true to John, Jesus, Scripture - we need to explain to people that where there is true faith - true repentance - their is a turning from a self-centered, self led life to a Christ centered, Holy Spirit led life. The evidence may be subtle or it may be dramatic, but we should expect fruit; proof that the person has turned and been changed by the God who responds to faith.
John the Baptist spoke very harsh words to the Pharisees and Sadducees who came out to see him. You remember how the Gospels describe John and his preaching. He was preaching out in the Judean Desert, saying "Repent for the kingdom of God is at hand."As the crowds responded to his message they confessed their sins and were baptized by John the Baptizer.
But when the Pharisees and Sadducees came, his message changed somewhat. Not doubt he said much more than this, but these are the words that Matthew (and Luke) records:
“You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? Produce fruit in keeping with repentance." Matthew 3:7, 8
What impresses us most on first reading is how harsh and confronting his first words are. I've heard some fiery preachers who sounded very angry with their audience, but I've never heard anything as strong as "you bunch of snakes". John stood in the long line of OT prophets who spoke without fear, the message God gave them.
But notice his comment about repentance. "Produce fruit in keeping with, or reflective of repentance." The NLV puts it this way"Prove by the way you live that you have repented of your sins and turned to God."
The NT meaning of repentance is to "turn from, to make a change of direction; it is a transformation, a turnaround". Unlike some who write about repentance, John is not quoted as saying anything about feeling sorry, or crying tears of repentance. That may often be experienced. But it is not the evidence of repentance.
John calls for evidence of repentance, not emotion. If a person repents - turns, changes direction - it should be evident. Physically speaking, it is obvious to any onlooker when a person or a vehicle changes direction. So we should expect if someone has repented, there will be life change evident. That is what John calls for. He does not want to simply baptize religious people who become a little more religious. He calls for change.
Sometimes we miss that when we talk about "receiving or trusting in Jesus; becoming a follower of Jesus." To be biblical, to be true to John, Jesus, Scripture - we need to explain to people that where there is true faith - true repentance - their is a turning from a self-centered, self led life to a Christ centered, Holy Spirit led life. The evidence may be subtle or it may be dramatic, but we should expect fruit; proof that the person has turned and been changed by the God who responds to faith.
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