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LUKE - Christ, the Savior of the World
A Bible Study Course on the Gospel of Christ according to Luke

PART 2 - THE PREPARATION FOR THE WORK OF CHRIST IN PUBLIC (Luke 3:1 - 4:13) - DEMONSTRATING AND PREACHING REPENTANCE

1. The Acts of John the Baptist (Luke 3:1-20)


LUKE 3:7-14
7 He said therefore to the multitudes who went out to be baptized by him, “You offspring of vipers, who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? 8 Bring forth therefore fruits worthy of repentance, and don’t begin to say among yourselves, ‘We have Abraham for our father;’ for I tell you that God is able to raise up children to Abraham from these stones! 9 Even now the axe also lies at the root of the trees. Every tree therefore that doesn’t bring forth good fruit is cut down, and thrown into the fire.” 10 The multitudes asked him, “What then must we do?” 11 He answered them, “He who has two coats, let him give to him who has none. He who has food, let him do likewise.” 12 Tax collectors also came to be baptized, and they said to him, “Teacher, what must we do?” 13 He said to them, “Collect no more than that which is appointed to you.” 14 Soldiers also asked him, saying, “What about us? What must we do?” He said to them, “Extort from no one by violence, neither accuse anyone wrongfully. Be content with your wages.”

Whoever belongs to a noble family is proud of his origins. The people of the Old Testament called themselves the Children of Abraham, thinking that they could be justified by his blessings, and strengthened by his spirit. However, John called those who came to him from the whole region a “brood of vipers”, meaning those misled by the devil who caused humans to doubt the love of God. This separation from him in obstinate pride meant that men, poisoned by hypocrisy and self-conceit, would not return to their source. What are you, my dear brother? Are you a repenting sinner, or an evil hypocrite? Which spirit reigns in you: pride, or humility?

Woe to the faiths, religions, and churches, which teach their followers that fanaticism, prayers, fasting, and their own works justify those who are pious. Whoever builds himself on his own worthiness falls in the last judgment, for we are all idle and even criminal in the eyes of the Holy One. The Day of Judgment is certainly coming, when the Holy Lord uncovers all your faults. The hour of his wrath is at hand, as all faithful prophets testified (Malachi 4:1-5). Then you will stand ashamed without excuse, for your heart is a nest of vipers, full of evil thoughts and bad memories.

Do not think that your imagined repentance or the sorrows of your soul satisfy God, for the eternal Judge not only requires your feelings, wishes, and prayers; but a complete change which produces good works. God in compassion to you is prepared to change your entire life, knowing that you are unable to reform yourself. Then, do not think that the Lord will overlook your faults, for no prophet, even Abraham himself, will save you.

John said, addressing the people of the covenant, “God has no need of you, or of your services, for he can raise to himself many children out of the stones in this wilderness. If you do not repent, and turn to him in complete penitence you will be destroyed. Whoever hardens his heart toward the call of God makes his heart like stone; but he who listens to the word of the Creator receives a new heart and a divine power. Thank God who changes many, and renews millions around the world.

The nation that does not turn to God is like a barren tree whose owner is standing beside it with his axe in his raised hand ready to cut down the useless tree. What good fruits does God find in you and your nation? Will the cutting axe fall on you, or will it be withheld because the Highest sees you are prepared to repent, and he knows your longing for purity and truth?

Many of John’s hearers truly repented, confessed their sins openly, and underwent the baptism of forgiveness as a token of God’s condemnation on them. The Baptist said to those who were brokenhearted, “Love is fulfillment of the law. If you love God, then distribute your clothes, give to the poor, share your bread and money with them, provide work for them, and give the poor in your class extra lessons freely. If you have to ask for money in the name of your company, or to sell goods and trade, do not ask for more than is required. Content yourself with the minimum so that you may not fall into the pride of riches.” The Baptist told the soldiers who defended their country not to be violent or accuse people falsely, but to live in contentment. John he forerunner did not call them to leave their jobs in order to serve Christ in the desolate wilderness, but sent them to their different jobs and commanded them to practice love, truthfulness, and humility so that they might prepare the way of the Lord in their practical life.

PRAYER: Lord, you know if I am the child of your Spirit, or the child of the wicked viper. Please forgive me my pride, and cure me of self-conceit and hypocrisy. I confess all my sins before you, and ask you to overcome my lusts, so that I may live contentedly, with humility and holiness in the power of your word.

QUESTION 32: Why did John call men, “the children of the devil”? What are the true fruits that are worthy of repentance?

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