don't trust where you came from

Today we read in the One Year Bible from Matthew 3:7-4:11. John is a salty one, isn't he? He rails on the Pharisees who come out to him, presumably to be baptized. And what he says to them is important for us to hear, too.

He says that they shouldn't trust the fact that they're sons of Abraham to save them, but instead they needed to "prove by the way you live that you have repented of your sins and turned to God." Those of you reading this come from all different backgrounds, sure. But many of you grew up in Christian homes, and were raised by Christian parents, who themselves were raised by Christian parents.

But John warns the Pharisees... and us... that just because we come from people who follow God doesn't automatically make US followers of God. We need to demonstrate that we truly turn from our sins and follow Him by what we do.

And what is it that we should be doing? Well, it boils down pretty simply, actually. Rather than spending our entire lives increasing our own pleasure, by buying more stuff, eating more expensive food, finding new sexual pleasures, or any other way of bringing ourselves greater pleasures (which is what the world is all about doing, you might notice. And there's nothing wrong with pleasure. But to seek it above all else is what we want to avoid.) ... we should focus on helping others. There are so many people in the world who need our help. If nothing else, pray for them. But there is so much more that we can do. If you don't know what it is that YOU can do to help, ask Him to show you. He'll help you not only find what to do, but He'll even give you the DESIRE to do it.

God, help us to prove by our lives that we have turned from our sins to follow You.