Keeping in Repentance

⁷ But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to where he was baptizing, he said to them: “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? ⁸ Produce fruit in keeping with repentance. ⁹ And do not think you can say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham. ¹⁰ The ax is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.

Matthew 3:7-10

John the baptist is preaches to the Pharisees and Sadducees to repent. Of all the sects, the Pharisees would be able to keep the law by performing all the necessary tasks to be deemed righteous in Gods eyes. Their association with being the children of Abraham had given them status as God's chosen hence they firmly believed that they would be saved. John speaks of the fruit keeping with repentance, which is not associate with salvation, but with the sanctification (being made more Christ-like) by the Holy Spirit. The Pharisees and Sadducees firmly believed that their deeds, association, and bloodline deemed them righteous in the eyes of God. God sees the heart not the empty motions.

I realize, the more I learn and know God, the great the rift is between God and I. Coming to God's presence, I feel it necessary to come in repentance. I wish this were so in all circumstances, but I forget at times how holy God is. I get so consumed in my daily activities, my relationships, and even ministry that I forget to know God at that intimate level. If I'm not approaching God in repentance then I definitely am not being sanctified by the Holy Spirit. 

God forgive me for not coming to you in repentance. Forgive me for not having joy when it comes to helping Rosa with her video. Help me not to grumbling and losing patience, but to remember to have your characteristics to do things with patience and love. I pray Jesus that you would help me to better control myself when I do get frustrated, but also help me to better control myself in lust as well. Allow me to be sanctified. You are a Holy God, and I am not worthy to approach you, but you showed me grace through your blood. 

In Jesus Name
Amen