Everyone Starts in the Same Place

In today's scripture, John challenges the religious leaders with the reality that everyone has walked away from God and needs His mercy. Today, we want to focus on the fact that our path back to God always begins with repentance. Let’s start with a simple prayer, and I encourage you to make it your prayer as we go through today's devotion:

Lord, I come to You with a humble heart and desire to be close to You. I know I mess up and fall short daily, and I am asking You to change my heart, my attitude, and my actions. Forgive me for my ways and help me invite the Holy Spirit to work in me, transforming me and changing my ways to Yours. I am forever grateful for Your love and forgiveness. In Jesus' name I pray, amen.

Matthew 3:7-10 (NLT)
⁷ But when he saw many Pharisees and Sadducees coming to watch him baptize, he denounced them. “You brood of snakes!” he exclaimed. “Who warned you to flee the coming wrath? ⁸ Prove by the way you live that you have repented of your sins and turned to God. ⁹ Don’t just say to each other, ‘We’re safe, for we are descendants of Abraham.’ That means nothing, for I tell you, God can create children of Abraham from these very stones. ¹⁰ Even now the ax of God’s judgment is poised, ready to sever the roots of the trees. Yes, every tree that does not produce good fruit will be chopped down and thrown into the fire.

Talk about a warning of God's wrath! John the Baptist was not backing down to the religious elite. Without mincing words, he clearly warns those clinging to their lineage as their automatic entrance into the eternal kingdom. Not going to happen, he said. The only way to enter into His Kingdom was by way of repentance; not genealogy, not good works, not a false belief or deluded hearts. He spoke the truth; it's all right there! The same still goes for us today. It doesn't matter our titles, the applause we have earned, the accolades we have achieved. Let's use this as a wake-up call and an awakening today. To be clear, like John the Baptist asks: Will you repent? Will you change your ways?

Know that God takes no delight in any man's ruin; it is His desire for us to change. He warns us that there is a wrath to come, and it is of great concern for each of us to flee from its impending doom. We have all been there; between hardened hearts, self-confidence, and false security, sitting in church on Sunday mornings, doing all the things Christians do, saying all the right things, listening to the messages, and reading scripture. But God knows our hearts down to the inner core. Repentance is rooted in our hearts and indicates a complete change of life direction. One's thoughts, feelings, and actions are utterly altered with true repentance. Repent and take ownership of your sins. Ask God for forgiveness and help in turning toward Him always!

It is foolish to lull ourselves to sleep or flatter ourselves with a false sense of security when we resist repentance. The more willing we are to own up to our sins, the more willing God is to forgive us. We have to come clean; as God promises us, He will clean our records. It will be a continual process, as God remains fully aware of what is in our hearts, what we say within ourselves, and what we depend on for our salvation. We cannot let our deluded hearts mislead us!

Sit in His presence and ask God to open your eyes and heart and to change your mind…

Go to Him with a humble heart and repent from ways that are not of Him…

I pray that the presence of the Spirit will bring you clarity and strength to repent and that your surrender to God’s will and ways will be blessed!