7 John said to the crowds coming out to be baptized by him, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? 8 Produce fruit in keeping with repentance. And do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham. 9 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.”

Observation: Luke makes it abundantly clear in stating “the coming wrath,” that God expects us to give him our best. Perhaps Luke is making a reference to the destruction of Jerusalem, which occurred in A.D. 70, but I feel sure he is also speaking of the final judgment. If we are not willing to give God our best, God will exact justice.

Application: Not only is it is my responsibility to God to be intentional about becoming a mature Christian; it is my responsibility to God to become a Spiritual Father to others. Only mature plants, mature animals and mature disciples of Christ can reproduce themselves.

We have faith communities full of people who have been Christians for 40 years, yet not “producing fruit in keeping with repentance”. Many congregations go year-after-year with no new professions of faith. This is because we have faith communities full of people who are not intentional about becoming mature Christians or reproducing mature Christians. They have been satisfied to be one year old Christians, 40 times.

Prayer: Lord, forgive me for not being more faithful in exercising the spiritual disciplines I need to become a mature Christian. Remind me, when I fail to maintain a broken heart for those who do not know your love, your mercy and your grace.

Guide me in your ways so that I may become a Spiritual Father to others. Grant me the staying power to see my Spiritual Children grow to maturity and become Spiritual Mothers and Fathers themselves.

Help me to (re)produce spiritual fruit in keeping with repentance.

In Christ name I pray and for His sake, Amen