8 Produce fruit in keeping with repentance. And do not begin to say to yourselves, 'We have Abraham as our father.' For I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham.
These words spoken by John the Baptist to those who were coming to him to be baptized carried quite a punch! Filled with the Holy Spirit from the womb on, John spoke truth to those that heard him. His desire was for them to know that the act of baptism did not save them – it was only to be symbolic of an inward change. Repentance that John preached (as well as Jesus and Paul and others) was a changed life - a life that manifested fruit to a hurting world. Quite frankly, a verbal assent of faith without accompanying fruit (behavior) is dead. James tells us: 26 As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead. James 2:26 (NIV)
John goes on to say that we are not to convince ourselves that we are God’s children because of what family we were born into. How much control did we have over that anyway? He was telling the Jews that even though born into His chosen people, that did not mean they were automatically people of faith. It is an individual repentance and acceptance of what Christ did for us on the cross – God’s provision for our salvation. We must not be deluded about this either. Just because we were born into a Christian home does not make us a Christian anymore than sitting in a garage makes us a car! It is indeed a blessing to come from a Christian home BUT one must make the decision for his or herself individually. It is between that person and God. The Bible states:22 This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. Romans 3:22-24 (NIV)
Paul further states: 18 You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness. Romans 6:18 (NIV)
We are to be slaves of righteousness. Unfortunately, when we become believers our sin nature still remains. Like Paul states in Romans 7 – evil is right there with us! He goes on to say: 5 Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that nature desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. 6 The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace; 7 the sinful mind is hostile to God. It does not submit to God's law, nor can it do so. 8 Those controlled by the sinful nature cannot please God. Romans 8:5-8 (NIV)
Indeed it is a battle until we go home to be with the Lord for only then will we be made perfect (one of my favorite words!) Until that day, we continue to wage war against the sinful nature remaining within us and strive to live in accordance to the Spirit. What in the world does that mean? A few applications could be: . Pray to be filled with the Spirit. This is not a just a onetime request! While the Holy Spirit never leaves a true believer, we can shrink the Spirit within us by our own poor choices making us appear carnal.. Pray for wisdom and clarity of God’s will in our choices!. Repent quickly when convicted by the Spirit which means turning from the sin to embrace righteousness and truth.. Set our hearts and minds on things above – not on earthly things.. Keep our eyes fixed on Jesus – “the author and perfecter of our faith”. 15 Be very careful, then, how you live--not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is. Eph 5:15-17 (NIV)