September 9, 2016 - The 1st to preach the "new message", the message of repentance and acceptance of the coming Savior ( Jesus Christ ) was John the Baptist. Also, the 1st to preach that to truly be saved is to repent of all sins and effect a true and lasting change in one's life.
John explained that each person would be changed forever and that change would show in the way they lived their daily lives from that day forth. As James, the Brother of Jesus, said; "be yea doers of the Word, not just hearers of the Word". As John preached the Word of God the people came to him saying; "So the people asked him, saying, what shall we do then? He answered and said to them, he who has two tunics, let him give to him who has none; and he who has food, let him do likewise. Then the tax collectors also came to be baptized, and said to him, Teacher, what shall we do? And he said to them, Collect no more than what is appointed for you. Likewise, the soldiers asked him, saying, and what shall we do? So he said to them, Do not intimate anyone or accuse falsely, and be content with your wages." (Luke 3:10-14)
This message from John gives us all a new outlook on life, we realize that the new person should be more benevolent, helping his fellow men, not from commands but from the heart.
Our natural sin nature causes us be born to covet, to be greedy, to hoard, and to ignore the needs of others. When we accept Jesus as Lord and Savior, we begin becoming more like Christ, who is Himself a giver. Our concern for others grows, especially for those in need. We become willing to sacrifice so others will be helped.
Whether tax collector or soldier or ordinary person; John tells us to be truer to Christ and not to take advantage of others or of our position in life.
As your life changed to the extent that others identify you as a believer?
Are you recognized as a giving person?
Do others see you as a fair and honest person?
Can you be trusted with the well-being of others,even if, they are not believers,?
The truly repentant do not look for opportunities to do harm to one another. They seek to do good to all. They don't falsely accuse but speak only the truth. They are content with fair pay for a good days work.
Take some time to reflect upon your life both before you accepted Christ and after. Have there been changes?
Can others see these changes in your daily life? Are there areas in which you have struggled to become a truly changed person? Do you ever worry about ever becoming a truly changed person? If so, there is hope for you then.
The truly repentant are more aware than ever of their shortcomings. And further evidence of true repentance is the understanding that we are constantly changing, more for the better than for the worse...
The world says; take all you can, keep it all, do not share. Do not listen to the world, only when you fully turn away and begin to seek God and His will for your life will you find true contentment.
May God Bless And keep you each day...
