PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: Matthew 3

What do you sense the Lord saying to you in this passage?

“Produce fruit in keeping with repentance.” (Matthew 3:8)
The people confessed their sins, what did these religious leaders do?
Somehow Jesus knew that for them it was a religious show.
He knew they were not actually wanting to change.
They were devoted to God and God’s Law, yet something was wrong.
They did not love people, they were abusive and hard on them.
Jesus saw through their religious piety to their cruel selfish hearts.
God does not require religious piety from us (Isaiah 1:12-17, Micah 6:6-8)
To repent is to hate what God hates and to love what God loves.
Being a Jesus follower is more than confessing faith or going to church.
It is a longing for and commitment to justice, mercy and humility.
It is a doing of justice, mercy and humility, imperfect yet sincere!
Jesus sees through our churchianity to the fruit of our lives.
He sees whether we actually devote ourselves to God’s way of love!
What exactly does he see in me that demonstrates this?
PRAYER
Lord Jesus, you did not come to make us more religious. You came to make us more humble, just and merciful… like you. Set my heart on fire for the things that really matter!