Preparation
Required
October
1, 2012
“John.
. . . preached a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins . . .
'Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him. Every valley
shall be filled in, every mountain and hill made low. The crooked roads
shall become straight, the rough ways smooth. And all people will see
God's salvation."
Luke
3:3-6 NIV
John
was baptizing those who repented from their sins which means that those
coming to him were changing their minds about how they were living and
were now choosing to live God’s way.
The Greek word for baptism means to immerse, which symbolizes
being cleansed.
Take
note of the words, “make straight paths for him”.
Our change of heart opens ourselves to God.
It is then that God enters and does the work of salvation which he had
begun on the cross.
John
is making it clear that neither repentance, nor the act of baptism,
“saves” anyone. Your
confession of sin and decision to live differently
do not “convince” God to accept and save you, rather they
open the door of your life so that God can enter and begin his saving
work within you.
Therefore
repentance is not a one-time saving event, rather it is a practice
Christians do well to engage in each day.
When I review my day, get honest about how I lived it or am about
to live it, admit my failures and sins, ask forgiveness, then ask
God’s help in living now in a godly way, I am then opening myself once
again to God’s entering me and going to work to change me into his
image.
Do
you practice a daily review of your life before God?
Hard soil doesn’t receive the rain, prepared soil receives the
rain, lets it do it’s nourishing work which leads to a bountiful
harvest.
Prayer
Lord, thank you for the practice of confession and repentance.
It’s beautiful to be able to get right with you and others
quickly. It’s even
more beautiful that you never give up on me.
Thank you for your grace and forgiveness.
Amen”
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