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Matthew 3:8
If you guys have really repented, that is really changed your mind about
your erroneous belief system, then DO SOMETHING to indicate that you have
changed your mind.
You need to SHOW a change of mind by FIRST embracing the right belief
system; believe in the Savior.
Mark 1:15,
Change your mind AND subsequently as an indication (fruits that show
repentance) BELIEVE the gospel.
And then LEARN what it means to follow the new belief system.
At Luke 3:7-18 which parallels Mat. 3:7-12, John gave EXAMPLES of how to
show that you are a follower of the new belief system.
Luke 3:10, "what then shall we do"
v. 11, share.
V. 12-13, be FAIR as tax collectors.
v. 14, Be honest as soldiers.
Obviously this would be after belief in the gospel.
For doing such things as an unbeliever is useless in God's eyes (Is. 64:6).
Jesus taught the same thing in the sermon on the mount, and on other
occasions, but in more detail.
In principle he taught it at Mt. 9:13, "But go and LEARN what this means, I
desire MERCY and not sacrifice."
And at Mat. 23:23, "justice, mercy, faith and the love of God (Lk. 11:42).
ALL of this is PART of the gospel. Thus we have the SUMMARY of teaching the
gospel stated at 3:18, "so with many exhortations he proclaimed the gospel
to them."
And in a summary the ministry of John is stated at Acts 19:4, "John baptized
with the baptism of repentance telling the people to BELIEVE in Him who was
coming later."
The order is
1. change the mind: you must reject your current false belief system (in
that case it was Mosaic legalism).
Today, there is a plethora of false belief systems that must be let go.
CHANGE THE MIND.
2. Believe in Jesus. This produces salvation; the new birth, etc.
3. THEN after salvation, one needs to start LEARNING how God wants us to
live. Summed up by all that is included in good works.
Eph. 2:8-10
"For by grace you have been saved through faith, and THAT (salvation) is not
out from yourselves; it (that salvation) is the gift of God.
Not out from works so that no one should boast.
For we are His workmanship created in Christ Jesus FOR good works, which God
designed before hand that we should walk in them."
That is, after salvation, God's plan is for the believer to DO the things
characteristic of being a child of God.
Eph. 5:8, "you were formerly darkness, now you are light in the Lord. WALK
as children of light.
Eph. 4:1, "walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been
called."
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