Just don’t eat the bugs

Matthew 3:1-3 In those days John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea, 2 and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!” 3 For this is he who was spoken of by the prophet Isaiah, saying: “The voice of one crying in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord; Make His paths straight.’ “

I never really cared what people thought; in the days before Christ it lead to a life of freedom in sin, deep in sin, and speaking my mind came easy. In these days after Christ, I have come to realize that same character trait, He is using for good. I have the freedom to understand that I only answer to Jesus eternally, and I will answer for all I say, do, and think; even those same things in omission, where I was too scared of what I might say or do, for fear of what others might think. Sadly, many of us, including many pastors, mold our life around what others think of us. It weakens our faith and it causes many to stumble. Many a pastor will answer to God about why their sermons were so watered down with a soft gospel. You must ask yourself if your preacher ever talks about Hell, the place God made for the evil to reside for eternity. You must ask yourself is it really Good News, if you don’t have a true understanding of the bad news.

John the Baptist, in Jesus’ words, was the greatest man who ever lived. He came to prepare us to hear of the coming Lord Jesus. His message was very simple to a sinful society; repent, turn from your sin, and live your lives free from sin in faith in God. It was not only to the sinner, but a message to the religious. It was a message for all those people that thought they earned their salvation through their works; Sunday church attendance will not get you into heaven. Heaven is found in the heart, a heart softened by God first, many times through trials, and how you respond will determine your eternal destiny. All those questions that arise about God and eternity, that is God with his plow tilling the soil of your soul. You can be the most prideful Pharisee of your family, Bible knowledge full, and in church every Sunday, then one day you get whacked on the head with the reality of the Gospel; you can’t earn it without that humble heart that understands Jesus did it all. John 14:6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. 3:16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. 17 For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.

I don’t mind, and consider it a humble honor, to be called by God to preach repentance to those in my circle of influence. I have no problem pointing out sin, because my list of sins is extensive, and I can show you the freedom from them now. God has likely built a similar testimony in you; you have a life before and after Christ if you truly know him as your savior. Be bold in your faith; care not what others think, but only what Jesus thinks. He died for you, to save you from sin, just as he did those people that are before you every day. How much would you have to hate them to not share that Good News with them. Be like John today, a prophet in the wilderness, crying our for repentance; just don’t eat the bugs.