Matthew: Part 1Sample

In Matthew 3, we are introduced to a camel-hair wearing, locust eating man named John the Baptist. 

John the Baptist went around telling people, “Repent of your sins and turn to God.” Repent means to change direction or change your mind. What John meant was, stop doing life your way. Live life God’s way.

Now what’s even crazier here is that John wasn’t just talking to really bad people. No! He actually called out the religious people.

You see, these religious people thought they were good with God because they came from the right family. John told them that’s not how it works. Following God isn’t just something you say or something you’re born into. It’s something you choose that completely changes your entire life. 

Following Jesus should change how you treat your parents, siblings, and friends. It changes how you deal with your anger, what you watch and listen to, what kind of jokes you laugh at, what words you use, and even how you spend your time and money.

Following Jesus changes everything.

Maybe you grew up in a “Christian” family. I have news for you—that doesn’t make you a Christian. 

You have to choose it for yourself. You have to decide to follow Jesus—to stop doing things your way and do them God’s way.

So, are you doing life your way or God’s way? Does the way you treat others, the words you use, and the way you live your life show that you’re a Jesus follower? 

If we’re honest, all of us have areas where we can grow in this. Think about one area where you are still following your way and repent. Change your mind. Make a decision right now to say, “I’m not doing it my way anymore, but God’s way.”

Pray and ask God to help you with that.