But when he saw many Pharisees and Sadducees coming to watch him baptize, he denounced them. “You brood of snakes!” he exclaimed. “Who warned you of the coming wrath? Prove by the way you live that you have repented of your sins and turned to God. Don’t just say to each other, ‘We’re safe, for we are descendants of Abraham.’ – Matthew 3: 7-9

When I took a course on how to share the Gospel earlier this year, I got a very clear explanation of the significance of baptism.

And that is, it’s an external expression of the spiritual change that takes place within the heart of a believer.

But if there’s no real spiritual change on the inside, the baptism is no different from taking a dip in the pool.

This is the message that John the Baptist tried to drive home to the Pharisees when they came to get baptized.

When he saw them coming, he basically said, “Why did y’all even waste time coming down here? You’re not even trying to do better!”

And indeed, they were very hard-hearted.

In the words of Toni Morrison, “They were not strong, only aggressive. They were not free, merely licensed. They were not compassionate, only polite. They were not good, but well-behaved.”

They knew the law, but the love of Christ was nowhere to be found within them.

The only thing we can learn from those guys is how NOT to serve God.

When new people come into our lives, the evidence of our belief in Christ should be all over us.

• In the way we treat others
• In the way we respond to situations
• In our compassion
• In our understanding
• In our devotion to others

My behavior shouldn’t make people say, “I don’t know why she goes to church every Sunday. She’s not learning anything…”

But the good thing is that as long as we are disciplined to study the Word and spend time with God everyday, the Holy Spirit will work within us and guide us along the path of Christ-like living.

So much so, that before we even speak, people will see and feel love of Christ glowing within our hearts.

Be blessed,

Alexia

Prayer: God, if my heart is not in line with the love of your Son Jesus, please give me a tune up so that I can live in accordance with your way. Help me to be a good tree that only bears good fruit. And make it so that my words and actions will always reflect that I am an ambassador for your Kingdom. In Jesus’ Name, I pray, Amen.