Evidence of a Changed Life
After my weekly conference call, I had another session with my trainer at the fitness center. He is doing a good job consistently challenging my weaknesses. The rest of my day was spent on some office work, a little work outside and preparation for an HOA Board meeting tonight.
So far my gardening effort this summer has produced, two cucumbers, two yellow squash, two ears of corn and some small green peppers. I don’t think I want to calculate the time, and expense represented in that “harvest” so far. I think next year, I will become a regular at the “Farmer’s Market.”
BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY…. “The people asked John, “Then what should we do?” John answered, “If you have two shirts, share with the person who does not have one. If you have food, share that also.” Even tax collectors came to John to be baptized. They said to him, “Teacher, what should we do?” John said to them, “Don’t take more taxes from people than you have been ordered to take.” The soldiers asked John, “What about us? What should we do?” John said to them, “Don’t force people to give you money, and don’t lie about them. Be satisfied with the pay you get.” Luke 3:10-14 NCV
What would it have been like to be standing on the banks of the Jordan with the John the Baptist preaching? He certainly would not fit into “modern” society and he was an anomaly for his day. We read that “as people came to be baptized” John called them a “brood of vipers!” Not a real welcoming approach to what we refer to in church life as an “altar call.”
But what we see behind John’s words was a challenge to be sincere and to change. “Don’t just go through the motions, just don’t take false comfort in the fact that Abraham is your father” was his message. Instead he called people to demonstrate repentance (that was at the heart of baptism) with true change.
It is out of this context that John tells each group what change looks like for them. Of course, his advice is not exclusive to those groups, but it is focused on the issues that each group could identify with.
John tells “the people” (the normal citizens of the day), don’t just focus on yourself, but be willing to help others. In a word we could call it “compassion.” Share with people in need. Don’t be content to have plenty when others have nothing and you are able to help. Later Paul would admonish believers, “Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too.” (Philippians 2:4 NLT)
To the “tax collectors”, John says, “Don’t cheat, be honest.“ The tax collectors of the day were notorious mobsters. They padded their pockets by collecting excess revenue. I’m sure they were the ones who made famous the response, “how much do you have?” to the question, “what do we owe?” We see this reflected in the narrative when it says, “even tax collectors came to be baptized..” You can almost hear the gasps and murmurs over the corridor of time.
To the “soldiers” John said, “Don’t take bribes, don’t’ lie, don’t complain.” Next to the tax collectors the Roman military had to be the most feared by the people. The local governor would easily take the word of a solider over a citizen and that relationship made bribery and coercion natural twins. Then I find it interesting when he says, “be content with your wages.” As a former legislator, I take a degree of comfort in knowing that “government” workers have never been satisfied with their pay!
To each of these groups, John’s instructions and the evidence of a “changed life” he pointed out, would set them apart from others. For some they would be going against that which was culturally acceptable, giving preference to pleasing God first and foremost. People not living just for themselves. Tax collectors not ripping people off. Soldiers being honest and content. That would have certainly made people notice.
The same is true for us today. Followers of Christ are called to standard that pleases the Lord and not just what is acceptable to the present culture. When we do, it is not because we “are better” it it because we have been changed. Changed for the “good.”
Peter writes that this “changed life” lived out among people does stand out and provides an opportunity to share our “reason for hope.” “…in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect…”
(1 Peter 3:15 ESV)