Forever Home in the Eternal Family of God

Daily Encouragement for the Family of God by Kenton Cheek

26 March 2025

Reading From Luke 3

“John said to the crowds coming out to be baptized by him, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? Produce fruit in keeping with repentance. And do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham. The ax is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.”

“What should we do then?” the crowd asked.

John answered, “Anyone who has two shirts should share with the one who has none, and anyone who has food should do the same.”

Even tax collectors came to be baptized. “Teacher,” they asked, “what should we do?”

“Don’t collect any more than you are required to,” he told them.

Then some soldiers asked him, “And what should we do?”

He replied, “Don’t extort money and don’t accuse people falsely—be content with your pay.”

—Luke 3:7-14

     The teachings of John the Baptist are deep.  Many of his fellow Jews thought that being descended from Abraham and an outward appearance of obeying the Law of Moses was enough to justify them before God, but he knew that a definite change of heart brought on by faith, repentance and trust in the Messiah coming after him is what makes people right with God.  Such a change bears good spiritual fruit which can be found in a new lifestyle marked by genuine compassion and holiness.

     Great wisdom is found in John’s advice to those who were coming to be baptized by him.  Sharing extra clothing and food with those in need, earning an honest living, and being content with what earnings rather than taking advantage of others to feed our greed; these are godly, healthy expressions of love that are so desperately needed in our modern context.  Faith without works is dead; our love for God is proven genuine by how we treat others and steward the resources He has entrusted to us.

“Heavenly Father, the messages You gave to us through John the Baptist are so relevant in every age, including our own.  Thank You for these timeless truths and for blessing us with the strength and wisdom we need to make these practices a part of our daily lives.  We love You Lord.  In the Name of Jesus Christ I pray these things.  Amen.”

What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.

But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.”

Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds.

—James 2:14-18