Lessons from Matthew 3: Message of Salvation
In the second segment of the lessons from Matthew 3, we were introduced to John the Baptist and his message. That message of salvation still calls sinful people to confession, repentance, and active obedience.
Does this describe you?
Are you obeying His teachings, resisting temptation, confessing and repenting, actively serving and helping others, and sharing your faith? This is the call and ministry of all who have received these truths for themselves.
Just as a tree is expected to bear good fruit, so are God’s people. Every bad fruit or evil deed that is not in alignment with God and His will, will be removed. Those people not belonging to God will not only be removed but they and their evil deeds will be thrown in the fire. This is the fire of permanent destruction and eternal separation from God and the people of God.
Wow! What a message! What a messenger! John withheld no truth. And he did so courageously and powerfully in the strength and might of the Lord God.
Like the religious leaders of John’s day, it is not enough to simply be born into a Christian family, or go to church, or participate in a Bible study. Someday you have to take God’s words and their meaning to heart and confess that you truly are a sinner and are in need of His saving grace.
Then you get up from where you are at and you live your life in Him as He desires, not as you see fit.
You see, the way you have been living hasn’t been working, has it?! To continue in your way will only bring more misery and loneliness. It will only continue to leave you empty and wanting for something else. But to gain life in Christ is to be filled daily with His love, with His goodness, and His provision!
Everything else will leave you wanting.
2 Corinthians 5:17 describes you as a new creation; “…the old has gone, the new is here!”
It is at this time of confession and repentance that God sets His seal of approval on you and your life (John 6:27). 2 Corinthians 1:21-22 says, “Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us, set His seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.”
And so for those of you who have heard this message and responded positively to God’s call on your life, Ephesians 1:13-14 says,
“And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory!”
For those of you who have confessed Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord, like those in scripture you must continually come before Him and confess your daily sin and be cleansed and renewed in mind, body, and spirit.
The good news of the gospel is that once we have been saved, we never lose our salvation.
God has signed, sealed, and delivered us for all eternity!
Terri Hamman
Faith & Fitness Coach