Matthew 3:8-12 (KJV)
Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance:
And think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham.
And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: therefore every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.
I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:
Whose fan is in his hand, and he will throughly purge his floor, and gather his wheat into the garner; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.
Rocks and trees; wind and fire.
I remember reading a book many years ago on developing a holy imagination. One must have the ability to think in types and pictures to grasp much of the meaning of the Word of God. It is not that the Bible is to be taken allegorically. It is to be interpreted literally, using a historical-grammatical interpretation, just as we would a letter from a friend or loved one.
But there are things in the Bible meant to be hidden from those who choose not to see.
And there are things in the Bible meant to be revealed by the Holy Spirit of God only when one is genuinely ready to receive them.
Our text is speaking of a true relationship with God.
Christianity is not about rites, rituals, or religious acts. The terrifying reality (our God is a consuming fire) is that there is no "one-and-done" ordinance we perform to secure our place in heaven.
Christianity is about life. It is about fruit. It is about who you are—or rather, who you have become—after you have met the Lord.
Religious activity without that life is as dead as a rock.
Unless the life flowing through it is of God, it is good for nothing but the fire pit.
An assembly of professing believers can then be likened to a field of wheat. At some point it will be threshed. That which is genuinely saved will be gathered into the Lord's presence. The rest will blow away—but not into nothingness. It will be carried into unquenchable fire.
Religion is nothing to trifle with. Heaven or hell is on the line.
John was not willing to pacify the crowds with good words and religious celebration. He wanted them to know the Lord and warned them of the consequences of not knowing Him.
#RepentanceAndFruit #FaithThatProduces #JohnTheBaptistPreachedIt #ReligionOrRelationship #HeavenOrHellDecision
The Baptist's Warning We Need to Hear Today: Are You Producing Fruit—or Practicing Religion?
What do you think? Is Christianity primarily about religious activity, or is it about a life changed by Christ that produces spiritual fruit?
Leave a comment below and share your thoughts. I'd love to hear from you.
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