The Pharisees were so self-righteous by external measurement that they would make anyone today (including the Pope) look like a third string water boy. When it comes to eternal works we don’t measure up. If you go to Israel today you will see that the elevators on the Sabbath will stop and open at every floor. This is done because even today the Judaizers of the Law will not even push a button in fear of breaking the Sabbath Code. Saying all of that: I find it interesting to read the words of John the Baptist in Matthew 3:7-8—“But when he (John) saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his baptism, he said to them, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? “BEAR FRUIT IN KEEPING WITH REPENTANCE.” Interesting statement, “Bear fruit in keeping with repentance.” This would be a slap in the face to the Pharisees! These men, by their “works” were keepers of the legal code. So for John to say this to these men in context to the “baptism of repentance” could only be describing “belief” in the only Perfect One—Jesus Christ; as repentance. To “Bear Fruit In Keeping With Repentance” is complete reliance on the “work” of the Lamb; not your self-righteous deeds. Do you want to prove you are saved by what you do? Then just believe in the finished work of Jesus and you have repented, you are repenting, and by believing; you will continue repenting! “Even now the axe is laid to the root of the trees. Every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.”—Matthew 3:10
Posted on: Sat, 10 Aug 2013 14:32:29 +0000
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