24^th January 2025

Alex Buabeng-Korsah

THEME: BELIEF MUST BEHAVE

THEME SCRIPTURE: “Therefore bear fruits worthy of repentance, and do not begin to say to yourselves, 'We have Abraham as our father.' For I say to you that God is able to raise up children to Abraham from these stones. And even now the ax is laid to the root of the trees. Therefore every tree which does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire." Luke 3:8-9 NKJV

PREPARATORY QUESTIONS

1.  Is it worth believing and yet there is no change in our attitude?

2. What does it mean to truly believe?

A small boy was playing on the floor near the radio, which was broadcasting a religious service. As the voice of the minister intoned the words of the Apostles’ Creed—“I believe in God . . .”—the small boy, without looking up or even pausing in his play, added, “So do I,” and carried on—as if nothing had happened. Obviously familiar with the ritual and at ease with the concept of God, the boy had no difficulty stating his belief. But his statement, which was no doubt true, was strangely empty—it was more reflexive than reflective.

In his quest to bring revival to the people of his days, John the Baptist preached fiercely against being a professing believer of God, and yet our lives are fruitless.

The Jews at that time were proud to be Abraham's children. They felt special and favored among all the people on the face of the earth. Though unique and chosen, their attitudes and behaviors were not special or different. They were bitter, vindictive, proud, and corrupt as every other man on the face of the earth.

Precious one, it is not enough to believe. Belief must also behave accordingly.

John warned them ominously, “Every tree that does not produce good fruit will be chopped down and thrown into the fire” (Luke 3:9). It is one thing to be a believing Christian and another thing to bear fruits of righteousness. Until Christians today start bearing fruits of righteousness, they are unprofitable. Even the devil believes in God. Even now, the axe is laid at the root of the tree, to hewn down all fruitless trees. O, our God, may we be profitable. The people of his days heeded John's warning and asked, "What shall we do?" The simple answer was this: "Repent!." Change your course. Turn from your wicked ways to serve the living God.

The proof of repentance, beloved, is recognized in the way we treat others afterwards. Truly forgiven people are thoroughly repentant and deeply changed people.

Yeah, when we truly repent from our ways, we are unable to continue in the sin of our past, and neither will we remain under the guilt of it. When we are truly repented, we will desist from our old nature to embrace Christ's nature such that the sinner will hate his old sins and love the people he used to hate. The wealthy will become generous, the proud will become humble, the fierce will become gentle, the contentious will become peaceful, the corrupt will become honest and the merciless will become merciful. True belief behaves appropriately. Let's behave if we have believed in Him whom the Father has sent.

God bless you more.

FURTHER READING:  Luke 3:1-14

Call to Salvation: Today is your day if you have not received salvation by turning over your life to Jesus Christ. Click here to do so.

QUESTION TO HELP YOU MEDITATE ON THE WORD

1. Have you truly believed, and are you bearing fruits of righteousness?

PRAYER

Eternal Father, Christ has been made to be sin for me so that I have become the righteousness of God in Him. I affirm today that my ways are conforming to God's ways, producing fruits of righteousness day by day. The reality of Christ is being seen me from today going forward, in Jesus' precious name. Hallelujah!

One-Year Bible Reading Plan

Genesis 42-43; Psalm 24; Matthew 24