In Luke 3:8 John the Baptist admonishes us to “bear fruit worthy of repentance.” That’s a fancy way of telling us we have to make a change in our lives if we want to be saved. Yes, God loves us as we are, if He didn’t why would He reach out to us at all? However, He knows we could be so much better – and if we are honest with ourselves, we know it too!
We encounter change in our world on a daily basis – the channels on our cable system have been rearranged, we have to insert the chip rather than swipe the card at the checkout, and there’s road construction on the way to work. Sometimes change is merely annoying, but often change is hard. Change we don’t have control over can be frustrating, but changing ourselves may be the most difficult thing we are called to do.
Changing our lives by saying “yes” to Christ means giving up control, something that seems almost impossible for humans. How can we let go of being in charge? In his teaching from Luke 3, John the Baptist gives us a glimpse of what Jesus will teach: share your gifts and be good to one another. How hard is that? We don’t always get it right, but we can practice every day until we do. God wants us all back as part of His beloved family, but we have to change our hearts and lives!
Gracious God, thank You for the chance to be redeemed, for loving us so much that You are willing to come after us to bring us back. Help us to change so that everyone may see Your love through us.