Is My Life Different?

Daily Reading: Matthew 3

Scripture Focus:  Produce fruit in keeping with repentance. (Matthew 3.8)

Devotional Thought: John the Baptist was a fiery preacher.  When he appeared on the scene, repentant people came from all around.  “Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River.”  The self-righteous also came – not to confess sins and be baptized - but to express superiority and criticize.  John would have nothing of it.  He spoke the truth to them: “You brood of vipers… produce fruit in keeping with repentance!”

Like many of the prophets of the Old Covenant, John’s life modeled his message.  His direction, his demeanor, his dress - even his diet! - spoke a message of repentance.  It was clear: “Don’t get too attached to this world, to its systems and values.  Change your direction so that you can enter into the Kingdom!”

As John’s ministry was preparing the way for Jesus to come, is not ours also?  Must we not prepare the way for Jesus?  So then, should not our message be the same as John’s?  And, if our message is “Produce fruit in keeping with repentance,” should not our lives model that message?  Are we not to have a new direction (that’s what repentance is)?  Should we not display values that contradict the power structures – even the religious ones – of this world?  Should we not hold loosely to the things of earth?  Yes!  The people of the Kingdom are to be different from the “children of darkness.”

How is your life different from those around you?  How is your life now different from your life before you knew Christ? God saves us by his grace.  But, he also enables us to walk in that grace, to live a new life.  Are you willing to do so?

Prayer: Thank you, Lord Jesus, that you died on the cross and rose again from the dead to save me from my sins.  Having received that salvation, help me now to live a new life, a life in keeping with repentance.  Amen.

Psalm of the Day: Psalm 80.1-3

1 Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel, you who lead Joseph like a flock! You who are enthroned upon the cherubim, shine forth.

2 Before Ephraim and Benjamin and Manasseh, stir up your might and come to save us!

3 Restore us, O God; let your face shine, that we may be saved!