Salvation

Salvation

Here is a sample of John’s preaching to the crowds that came for baptism: “You brood of snakes! Who warned you to flee God’s coming judgment? Prove by the way you live that you have really turned from your sins and turned to God. Don’t just say, ‘We’re safe—we’re the descendants of Abraham.’ That proves nothing. God can change these stones here into children of Abraham.”

Luke 3:7-8

In John the Baptist’s task of preparing the way for Jesus, he went straight to the root issue—he called people to repentance. He taught that there will be a future judgment and warned that the only way to avoid God’s wrath is to turn from sin and trust God. To repent is to have a change of mind or attitude that includes a reversal of previous thinking or conduct. John told the people that God wasn’t impressed with their religious profession if their lives didn’t produce fruit. They needed to know there would be a judgment before they could receive God’s grace.

John’s job was to “make straight in the wilderness a highway for our God” (Isaiah 40:3, NIV). In ancient times, roads were built whenever a king traveled. His subjects built highways so his chariot would not get stuck in the mud or sand. Just as those subjects prepared roads for their king, John was preparing the way for Jesus by preaching that all people needed salvation.

John reminded the people of his day that salvation wasn’t inherited as a result of being descendants of Abraham. Likewise, it’s important for us to teach our children that their salvation is not inherited from us. Rather, it is a result of their repentance—a change in mind or attitude going the opposite direction from sin and destruction. And when the posture of our children’s hearts leans toward repentance, their lives will show evidence of changed minds and attitudes.

Father,

Thank you that repentance produces fruit in our lives. May we point our children toward you so they will experience personal repentance and salvation through a relationship with you and will produce fruit for your kingdom. Amen.