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You brood of Vipers

August 19th, 2023

When John the Baptist saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to where he was baptizing, he shouted at them:

“But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his baptism, he said to them, “Brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Therefore bear fruits worthy of repentance,”

Matthew 3:7-8

I began writing this blog as a response to Jonathan Edwards’ famous sermon, “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God.” Was Edwards right in saying that sinners are evil and wicked? He believed that those who do bad things on Earth are already feeling some of the pain of Hell. He thought that just because they’re not physically in Hell, doesn’t mean that God isn’t angry with them.

But is the modern way of thinking right in feeling sorry for people who do wrong because they can’t help themselves? After praying and seeking God’s wisdom, I think both points of view might have some truth, but John the Baptist and Jesus seem to agree more with Jonathan Edwards.

John the Baptist and Jesus Teach the Same Thing

John the Baptist is often seen as the harsh guy who came before Jesus, who is seen as more gentle and accepting. People often think John was too harsh, so they ignore him. But we’ll see that Jesus talks the same way as John.

Even Jesus, who people nowadays see as someone who included and accepted everyone, says things in Matthew 12:33-37 that sound strange to us today. He called the Pharisees a brood of vipers (literally the sons of snakes), calling them children of the devil.

“Make a tree good, and its fruit will be good. Or make a tree bad, and its fruit will be bad. You can tell what a tree is like by its fruit. You bunch of snakes, how can you who are evil say anything good? What you say comes from what’s in your heart. A good person says good things because of the good in them, and an evil person says bad things because of the evil in them. But remember, one day you’ll have to answer for every useless word you’ve spoken. Your words will either prove you right or show that you’re guilty.“

Matthew 12:33-37

When I read this, it sounds strange, but Jesus and John calling the Pharisees children of snakes and evil seems to agree with what Jonathan Edwards taught.

Make This Personal

The important thing is, I don’t care so much about what the Pharisees did. This message is personal and applies to all of us.

It makes me look at myself to make sure I’m on the right path and not one of the vipers.
From that time on Jesus began to preach, “Repent”

August 1st, 2023

Grasping the True Essence of Jesus’ Message in Matthew 4:17

When we look into the Bible, specifically Matthew 4:17, it says, “From that time on Jesus began to preach, ‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.’” This sentence seems simple and easy to grasp, but many times, we skim through it without digging deeper into its actual meaning. More importantly, we tend to miss the profound understanding that a 1st Century Jew would have from this verse.

Understanding Repentance

The word “Repent” is generally explained by our pastors as making a U-turn or changing the path we’re on. While this isn’t entirely wrong, it doesn’t fully encapsulate the concept Jesus was trying to impart to his listeners.

The people listening to Jesus’ teachings had a clear understanding of what he was implying when he urged them to repent. In the Jewish context, repentance was a call to return to the path of right living. It was an invitation to align oneself with God’s righteousness.

In the eyes of a 1st Century Jew, repentance wasn’t just a vague idea of change. It meant to instantly commit to a complete, sincere obedience to all the duties they knew they had. Simply put, it was a call to obey God and follow His laws.<h2>The Two-Part Process of Repentance</h2>

The act of repentance, in the teachings of Jesus, addresses two important relationships in our lives: 1.) our relationship with God, and 2.) our relationship with our fellow human beings.

When it comes to sins against God, repentance can be accomplished through confession and real obedience to all of God’s known will. It’s about accepting our faults, seeking forgiveness, and making a concerted effort to live in harmony with God’s expectations.

On the other hand, when it comes to sins against our fellow men and women, repentance involves seeking forgiveness from those we have wronged and trying to make things right. This process may involve admitting our mistakes, apologizing sincerely, and taking appropriate actions to mend what was broken.

Embracing Jesus’ Teachings on Repentance

If we aim to truly follow Jesus, it’s crucial that we understand His teachings on repentance. He encourages us not just to turn away from our wrongdoings, but to take proactive steps towards living in line with God’s righteousness and maintaining healthy relationships with others.

Grasping the real meaning of repentance helps us better comprehend Jesus’ message in Matthew 4:17. It’s not merely about altering our direction, but about wholeheartedly returning to a path of right living with God and our fellow human beings. Indeed, the “kingdom of heaven has come near,” and it’s our duty to prepare ourselves through genuine repentance.

See Also: SUBMISSION TO GOD Pt 1. — by Charles G. Finney (gospeltruth.net)

Category: Uncategorized

You brood of Vipers

John the Baptist and Jesus Teach the Same Thing

Make This Personal

From that time on Jesus began to preach, “Repent”