John the Baptist is sometimes characterized as a prototypical “turn or burn” preacher who enjoyed chewing people out in the name of God.
I’m sure that he was, in fact, quite disappointed by the way so many people were living during the time of his 1st Century ministry.
What’s impressive about his ministry, though, is that he helped so many others living inappropriate lives to become disappointed with themselves.
It was that realization of personal error and spiritual need that prompted large numbers of people to seek him out in remote areas along the Jordan River.
And it was that humble acknowledgment of spiritual need that prompted John to sometimes change his tone from indictment over to instruction.
Read closely the following section from Luke 3 that reveals John’s desire for simple, sincere change in the hearts of those listening to him:
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“What should we do then?” the crowd asked.
“John answered, ‘Anyone who has two shirts should share with the one who has none, and anyone who has food should do the same.’
“Even tax collectors came to be baptized. ‘Teacher,’ they asked, ‘what should we do?’
“Don’t collect any more than you are required to,” he told them.
“Then some soldiers asked him, ‘And what should we do?’
“He replied, ‘Don’t extort money and don’t accuse people falsely—be content with your pay.’” (3:10-14)
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Many people in our circles of influence think that being right with God is a matter of remembering complex theological concepts and rituals.
Hopefully, you don’t embrace such a perspective.
Yes, we are to grow weekly in our knowledge of the Bible and our level of personal intimacy with the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
And we need to be able to explain to others the reason we believe as we do.
Unless we live as people surrendered to the Lord, though, our ability to conceptualize and verbalize our faith will appear as facades of faith.
The fact is that our walk has to match our talk.
That’s why John said what he did in the above verses.
Dear friends, don’t complicate your faith by thinking it is measured by intellectual sophistication.
John the Baptist was a highly studied member of Essene sect of ancient Judaism. He knew the scriptures frontwards and backwards.
Yet, when asked how one can show a changed heart, he told people to share with those in need, don’t steal at your job, don’t coerce people, don’t lie about them and don’t complain about your pay.
I don’t need a seminary degree to understand these instructions.
I just need an obedient heart.
Let’s join together to do what John said.
We ‘ll help others.
And we’ll honor God.
As always, I love you
Martin
