Sorry I haven't posted anything for a few days... I got kind of stuck on the last part of chapter 2. If any of you have any thoughts on that passage, please leave some comments. Maybe that's what I should do when I don't feel like I'm getting anywhere. Next time I get stuck, I'll see if God is revealing something to you guys instead!
But moving on to chapter 3, we see the beginning of John the Baptist's ministry: a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. I think we might all be familiar with the repentance preaching, but then Luke tells us a bit more of what John preached.
"Produce fruit," he says, "in keeping with repentance." So after you come up from the water, it's not over.
"But I've got my ticket -- I'm in the family."
But faith without works is dead. There's no fruit on the tree.
Notice the contrast in the analogies John uses. Children of Abraham can come from the rocks, but God wants fruit-producing trees, not dead rocks. John is telling us there is a responsibility that comes with repentance and forgiveness. He even gets specific about it when talking to various groups: the average person should share their resources, the tax collectors should be honest, and the soldiers shouldn't use their strength for dishonest gain and should be content with their financial situation.
If he were talking to you, what kind of fruit would he suggest you show?
Thursday, March 13, 2008
Fruit Trees
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2 comments:
I absolutely love this chapter in Luke. I think that he would suggest to me that I needed to spread the good news of the gospel. I need to be grateful for the many blessings in my life without any complaints. I should volunteer more...should share my resources.
What does he mean in verse 9; where he is talking about cutting and burning the trees that do not produce fruit?
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