Luke then records the direct message of John to the people concerning the necessity of repentance for salvation, “Brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Therefore bear fruits worthy of repentance, and do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father’” (3:7-8a). John points to a future and final judgment where all who refuse to repent and believe will stand before God and receive everlasting punishment for their sins. Some thought that their ancestry (being Abraham’s descendants) alone would provide automatic entrance into the kingdom of God; however, John proclaimed that true repentance leading to good works revealed those who were going to enter the kingdom of God. This is why John says, “Therefore every tree which does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire” (3:9). True repentance and faith will always lead to good works and ultimately to eternal life.
When those who were listening to John’s message were convinced of their own sinfulness before God they inquired concerning their next step, “What shall we then do?” (3:10); in other words, how do we give evidence of sincere repentance? John responded to the crowd (3:11), the tax collectors (3:12-13), and the soldiers (3:14) by telling them to change their sinful ways. Instead of demonstrating a lifestyle in obedience to the ways of the world, they were now to live life with love for God and love for others. Many people wondered whether John was the promised Messiah or not, but he quickly declared, “I indeed baptize you with water; but One mightier than I is coming, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to loose. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire” (3:16). Furthermore, John also declared that the coming Messiah would bring “His winnowing fan [tool for separating grain from chaff]… in His hand, and He will thoroughly clean out His threshing floor, and gather the wheat into His barn; but the chaff He will burn with unquenchable fire” (3:17). These words reveal that the coming Messiah will be able to separate those who are truly repentant from those who are not.
John continued to preach his message of repentance, even confronting the sexual sins of King Herod (3:18-19; Matthew 14:3-4); however, John’s message of repentance eventually landed him in prison (3:20). John is a great example of someone who refused to compromise and was willing to confront people regarding their sin, in order to call them to repent as well as change. In a culture which ignores the commands of God, Christians are demanded to demonstrate a lifestyle of obedience to God and challenge others to do the same; after all, forgiveness and hope has been offered freely to all who will repent and believe.
Dear God, may I follow in Your ways and urge others to do the same.
