Meditations On God's Word
Are you willing to "resist unto blood striving against sin" as did John the Baptist? (Hebrews 12:4).
Preaching the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins, John, the son of Zacharias the priest, cried out in the wilderness, "Repent ye; for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." (Luke 3:2-3, Matthew 3:2.)
He warned the multitude desiring baptism by him, "Bring forth therefore fruits worthy of repentance." (Luke 3:8.)
So the people asked John, "What shall we do then?" He replied, "He that hath two coats, let him impart to him that hath none; and he that hath meat, let him do likewise." (Luke 3:10-11.)
The publicans wanting to be baptized asked him, "Master, what shall we do?" And John's reply was, "Exact no more than that which is appointed you." (Luke 3:12-13.)
The soldiers demanded of him, "And what shall we do?" And his answer was "Do violence to no man, neither accuse any falsely; and be content with your wages." (Luke 3:14.)
In his last preaching John warned King Herod the Tetrarch, "It is not lawful for thee to have her" -meaning Herodias. She was rightfully the wife of Herod's brother, Philip. For John's trouble in telling the King to repent of his adultery, Herod imprisoned him and later had him beheaded at the request of Herodias and her daughter, the graceful dance artiste. (Matthew 14:1-12. )
Now, John is no longer with us. But Jesus said that repentance and remission of sins are now to be preached in Christ's name among all nations. (Luke 24:47.) Have you felt obligated to tell anyone today what Apostle Peter told hundreds of believers on the day of Pentecost? "Repent, and be baptized everyone of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost?" (Acts 2:38.)
"Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin." (James 4:17.)