In Him Only

As we continue our messages from Matthew’s gospel, let’s turn now to chapter three and examine what the Holy Spirit is saying to us today. Beginning with verse one:

Now in those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea, saying, Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” For this is the one referred to by Isaiah the prophet when he said, “The voice of one crying in the wilderness, ‘Make ready the way of the Lord, make His paths straight!’” Now John himself had a garment of camel’s hair and a leather belt around his waist; and his food was locusts and wild honey. Then Jerusalem was going out to him, and all Judea and all the district around the Jordan; and they were being baptized by him in the Jordan River, as they confessed their sins. But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming for baptism, he said to them, “You brood of vipers, who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Therefore bear fruit in keeping with repentance; and do not suppose that you can say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham for our father’; for I say to you that from these stones God is able to raise up children to Abraham.

There’s a lot we can unpack in this short text of scripture, but for the sake of brevity, I’ll focus only on two points: What does it mean to repent? And, what does it mean to make God's paths straight?

So, first, repentance. John proclaimed to all who would listen: Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” When John – indeed, when Jesus and all the writers of the New Testament proclaimed repentance – they used the Greek word, ‘metanoia.’ The word literally means to have a transformative change of heart. To walk in a completely new direction. To take on a totally new lifestyle. It means to think and act differently than before the transformative change.

This biblical definition of ‘metanoia’ is too often not the repentance some in the pews and even the pulpits think of as repentance. Metanoia is not simply saying sorry, or feeling remorse or regret for sin. Metanoia is best defined as John proclaimed it on the shores of the Jordan as he called to the religious clergy coming to him for baptism: “Therefore bear fruit in keeping with repentance; and do not suppose that you can say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham for our father’; for I say to you that from these stones God is able to raise up children to Abraham.

Zaccheus the tax collector is a good illustration of what it means to demonstrate that our metanoia – our transformative change of heart, direction, and lifestyly – is genuine. By the way, let me remind you that tax collectors were Jews who worked for the Roman government. They were hated by their fellow Jews, who considered them traitors.

Here is the vignetter from Luke 19: Jesus and His disciples were making their way through Jericho. As they passed through, Zaccheus climbed a tree along the route so he could get a better view. Jesus passed under the branches, stopped, looked up, and said: “Make haste and come down, for today I must stay at your house.”

I don’t think Zaccheus was expecting that. I can see him in my mind’s eye scurring down the tree, and as he and the Lord made their way to the house, Zaccheus said to Him, “Look, Lord, I give half of my goods to the poor; and if I have taken anything from anyone by false accusation, I restore fourfold.”

Now THAT is what metanoia looks like. A transformation. A change of thinking. A reversal of how you used to live. A fixing what can be fixed. A reconciling what can still be reconciled.

And so the question you land I ought to routinely ask ourselves, “Are we different today than we were when we first met Christ?” I don’t mean are we wiser from our life-experiences. Are we more patient because life has taught us to be patient, or kinder, or gentler. But I mean are we different because we have matured in our relationship with Christ as we have walked with Him in prayer and study of the scriptures and fellowship with others of like faith? Are we daily striving to “not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of [our] mind, so that [we] may discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God”? (Romans 12:1-2, Holman CSB)

If not – if we are NOT striving every DAY to be transformed by the renewing of our minds, then be VERY CERTAIN of this: we are in serious danger of drifting away from our Savior. And so the writer to the Hebrews warned: “We must, therefore, pay even more attention to what we have heard, so that we will not drift away.” (Hebrews 2:1); And in the next chapter, this warning: “Take care, brethren, that there not be in any one of you an evil, unbelieving heart that falls away from the living God. But encourage one another day after day, as long as it is still called “Today,” so that none of you will be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. For we have become partakers of Christ, if we hold fast the beginning of our assurance firm until the end.” (Hebrews 3:12-14)

So, John’s first message was of repentance. His second follows closely behind: “Prepare ye the way of the Lord.”

John’s readers would have understood the reference to the 40^th chapter of Isaiah’s prophecy. That would have understood the reason for making a road smooth for a visiting king. They’d know about filling in ruts in the dirt roads formed by previous carriages and horse-travel and of removing obstructions such as large rocks, trees and tree limbs.

But John had something more eternal in mind when he spoke about preparing the way for King Jesus. I think he is speaking of the filling in ruts removal of obstructions in our lives that keep the Messiah outside ourselves. In other words, John was telling his listeners to remove sin, unbelief, and worldly affections. That is why he was baptizing them – a form of Jewish cleansing and the beginning of the conversion process so the Messiah would have ready access to their hearts.

Let’s look again at the Zaccheus scenario of a few moments ago. Did you notice Jesus invited HIMSELF to the man’s house? And He wanted to go to his how – NOW?

I mean, the guy didn’t have a chance to rush home first, pick up the dirty laundry, hide the dirty dishes, and sweep up the dust bunnies in the corners. No, when he opened the door and Jesus entered, the Lord would have seen it all.

What would you do if you knew Jesus was coming right now to dinner at your place? He is, you know. Every day, day after day, Jesus knocks on your door, waiting to come in – again and again. What is that text in Revelation 3:20? “Behold,” I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with Me.”

What condition would King Jesus find in your house as He knocks every day on your heart’s door? What dirty laundry lies crumpled in the corners? How many dirty dishes? How many dust bunnies in the crevices of your life?

Let me give you just one shocking example of what Jesus is finding in much of His church today. According to a 2018 report in Charisma News, pornography is ravaging its way through churches. The report found 68 percent of church-going men and over 50 percent of PASTORS view pornography on a regular basis! Of young Christian adults 18-24 years old, 76 percent actively search for pornography. Thirty-three percent of women aged 25-and-under search for pornography at least once a month. Only 13 percent of self-identified Christian women say they never watch pornography. Put another way, 87 percent of Christian women have watched pornography.

What’s my point? You and I must be extraordinarily vigilant to stand against sin – ALL sin in our own lives, not just sexual sin. If we are not preparing our hearts for the Lord, be warned: As St. Paul wrote to the Christians at Corinth: “A little leaven leavens the whole lump of dough?” (1 Corinthians 5:6)

What are we watching and reading? Would we do so if Jesus were physically sitting next to us? That might be a good rule of thumb by which to decide what is proper for us and what is not.

That is why repentance is fundamental, it is central to preparing the way of the Lord to enter our hearts and our homes. There is reason the Lord Jesus – knowing our sin nature and our bent toward sin – there is reason the Lord warned us: “Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it. For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it.” (Matthew 7:13-14)

And a few verses later He continues: “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter. Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness.’ (7:21-23)

The two texts I just read from Matthew’s gospel ought to frighten every person in the pew and in the pulpit to do daily as John warned those on the bank of the Jordan to do: Repent. Bring forth evidence of our repentance. And prepare the way of the Lord to enter again and again into our life.

It ought to arrest our attention and shake us out of slumber to make sure we are still walking on the narrow road and toward the small gate – and that we have not drifted inadvertently and unconsciously onto the broad road and toward the wide gate. And so the writer to the Hebrews enjoins us: “Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith.” (Hebrews 12:1-2). And St. Paul urges the Christians at Colossae: “Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God . . . [and] consider the members of your earthly body as dead to immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed . . . anger, wrath, malice, slander, and abusive speech.” (Colossians 3).

John called his listeners in the first century and his readers in the 21^st century to repent, to demonstrate by their lives their true repentance, and to prepare the way for the Lord to dwell in their lives.

It is likely that some there on the Jordan asked John, “Why do all that? Why repent? Why prepare our way for the Lord?” Just as surely there are those today who ask the same questions. In other words, what are the benefits to repentance and walking with Christ?

In the short time remaining today, let’s look at some of those benefits:

First: Repentance before Christ Jesus give us absolute assurance of

eternal life. We can KNOW that we KNOW that when we take our last

breath that you will open your eyes to see the smiling face of your Savior.

Why is that? The apostle John tells us in his first epistle: “No one who is

born of God practices sin, because His seed abides in him; and he cannot

sin, because he is born of God. By this the children of God and the children

of the devil are obvious: anyone who does not practice righteousness is not

of God.” (1 John 3:9-10a) And St. Paul tells us: “The mind set on

the flesh is hostile toward God; for it does not subject itself to the law of

God, for it is not even able to do so. (Romans 8:7)

What is inherent in these two texts is the point that those who are NOT children of God through faith in Jesus have no desire to repent and prepare their hearts for Christ to dwell. And so, if YOU desire to repent of your sins, then that itself is evidence that you are a child of God.

And what are some of the other benefits of repentance to Christ Jesus?

You are no longer under God's condemnation. Many of you have memorized this text, so here it is again: “Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” (Romans 8:1) And since you are no longer under God's condemnation and judgment for your past sins, this text now also applies to you: “Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Romans 5:1)

Think of it! Because of your ongoing repentance and your continual preparation of your heart for Christ to dwell, you are a child of God, you are no longer under His condemnation, and you can have peace of heart and spirit, and soul knowing that God is NOT MAD at you. There is nothing to be mad at you about because He has forgiven you of everything you have ever brought to His feet in confession and repentance.

Not mad at you. Oh, I have known so many Christians who have labored under the totally unnecessary weight of guilt, sure in their hearts that God is always angry with them, that He is always standing at His throne just waiting for them to mess up again.

Show me one verse taken in context with in the entire Bible from Genesis to Revelation where that terrible idea can be supported. You will not find it.

And because you can have full assurance that you are a child of God, because you can have equal assurance that you are not under God's condemnation, because you can know that you know God is not mad at you –l because of all these things (and more that I have not mentioned for the sake of time) you can boldly and directly approach God's throne. We have absolutely no need for another to bring us before our Father in heaven. He doesn’t even have a throneroom door for you to knock on for entrance. Just walk in – humbly, of course – and present Him your worship and your petitions. As Scripture again tells us: “Let us therefore approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” (Hebrews 4:16, NRSVCE)

And finally for today, we who live in ongoing repentance and preparation for the Lord to dwell in our hearts, we have the benefit of KNOWING that when we leave these bodies and finally meet Him face to face in glory – we will not stand there with nothing to offer Him for our time on earth.

Peter, writing of the promises of God tells us: “Now . . . in your faith supply moral excellence, and in your moral excellence, knowledge, ⁶and in your knowledge, self-control, and in your self-control, perseverance, and in your perseverance, godliness, ⁷and in your godliness, brotherly kindness, and in your brotherly kindness, love. ⁸For if these qualities [what qualities? Virtue and knowledge and self-control and perseverance and godliness and kindness and love] – if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they render you neither useless nor unfruitful in the true knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (2 Peter 1:5-8)

We could spend a college semester talking about the magnificent and unimpeachable benefits of true repentance, of keeping our hearts prepared for the coming King. A semester, yes, but I hope what we have peeked at this afternoon will be sufficient for you and for me to keep the joy of the Lord always before us. We are more than conquerors over the affairs of life – hard as they have been and hard as they might yet become – we can be more than conquerors through Him who loves us so much that He willingly laid down His life so that you and I could be eternally free.

Once again, may God the Holy Spirit enable us day after day to continually do day after day, Repent. Make ready the way of the Lord. And bear fruit in keeping with repentance.

I’ve posted this essay many times over the years. And because of the irrational responses to the latest SCOTUS decision, I must post it again, for I cannot fathom the devilish – that is the only reasonable word for it – the devilish response of so many mothers who demand – DEMAND – the right to kill their babies in the womb. I cannot wrap my mind around women who amputate their God-designed reflex to nurture and protect their child. Such a psychotic response as we are seeing is nothing less than Satanic in origin and in its perpetuation.

My abortion was a sentinel event in my life. A hideous and defining blight on my past. But – But God's response to my repentance illustrates the magnitude of God’s grace, love, and forgiveness.

That is why, to this day, more than 50 years since I drove my girlfriend to the abortion clinic in NYC, I also say with the apostle Paul, “It is a trustworthy statement, deserving full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, among whom I am foremost of all. ¹⁶Yet for this reason I found mercy, so that in me as the foremost, Jesus Christ might demonstrate His perfect patience as an example for those who would believe in Him for eternal life. (1 Timothy 1:15-16)
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Has it really been more than 50 years since I killed my baby? It seems like only last week. I remember what my girlfriend wore when I drove her to the clinic, where I parked the car, how many dimes I dropped into the parking meter . . . .

1967. Six years before the US Supreme Court legalized abortion in all 50 states. New York was one of a few states in which abortion was legal. I was 17, my girlfriend, 18. Both of us, I told myself, were too young to bear the responsibilities of a baby.

"What do you mean, you're pregnant?" I asked when she returned from the doctor’s office. I knew she expected me to propose marriage.

Instead, I talked her into having an abortion.

It was easy to suggest that alternative. I chose to believe our baby was only a glob of cells growing in her womb. I chose to believe Judith had the right to choose what to do with her own body, and that every baby should be a wanted baby. I embraced every excuse I’d ever heard because each one freed me of my obligation to Judith and to our child. A few months after the abortion, my girlfriend and I went our separate ways.

Today, my son or daughter would be more than fifty years old. Perhaps she would be a teacher. Or a physician. Or a musician. Or a . . . Perhaps I would be a grandfather.

But there is no ‘perhaps.’ I can never turn back the clock and silence the lies and excuses that over-ruled my conscience.

I lived with the ache of what I’d done for many years, until I found solace in Christ’s forgiveness, and hope in Scripture’s promises. Two in particular brought me peace: “If we acknowledge our sins, he is trustworthy and upright, so that he will forgive our sins and will cleanse us from all evil” (1 John 1:9); and, “in [Christ], through his blood, we gain our freedom, the forgiveness of our sins. Such is the richness of the grace which he has showered on us . . .” (Ephesians 1:7, 8). Because of God's promises, I could rest in the assurance that God forgave me for killing my baby, although my terrible sadness lingered.

Oh, what solace that realization provides to this very day; God forgives me.

Reader, Christian or not – let my words please serve as a beacon to God's promises: Nothing we’ve done is beyond God’s forgiveness.

Nothing.

God always forgives the truly penitent. Bring your sins – whatever they are – to the foot of Christ’s bloody cross, and be washed in the blood of the Lamb.