The book of Mark started with the story of John the Baptist. God called him to preach the baptism of repentance so that when the Lord Jesus Christ comes, their hearts would be ready to accept Him. Mark 1:4 says, "And so John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins." The baptism of repentance means that John the Baptist encouraged the people to turn away from their sins and be water baptized as a symbol of their commitment to turn away from their sins. Those who chose to repent and be water baptized were forgiven of their sins. However, they still needed to believe in Jesus when Jesus would reveal Himself as the Lord and Savior. Everything that John the Baptist had done was to prepare people's hearts to receive Jesus as their Lord and Savior.
John the Baptist said these words to the people, "After me comes the one more powerful than I, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. I baptize you with water, but He (Jesus) will baptize you with the Holy Spirit." One of the lessons we can learn from John the Baptist is that he is dedicated to fulfilling what God has called him to do. No matter how he became popular with people, he knew that he was only preparing people's hearts to believe in the Lord Jesus Christ. Another lesson that we can learn is the importance of turning away from our sins, which is called repentance. To repent from our sins is very important for the forgiveness of our sins. If we are unwilling to turn from our sin, our hearts are still rebelling against God. God wants us to be sincere to change and become the people God wants us to be.
As believers of our Lord Jesus, we need to repent of our sins. Let us confess our secret sins to God and ask for forgiveness and turn away from them. We cannot live a double life. We cannot live for the world and God. Let us completely live for God and enjoy His forgiveness and a new life in Him.
Ask yourself these questions: Why did John the Baptist come? What was His message? Am I willing to confess my sins to God, ask for forgiveness, and repent from them?
Write down all the worries you face today and lift them up to God.
Prayer:
Father in Heaven, thank you for teaching me about John the Baptist this morning. I confess my sin to you. Please forgive me for the sins that I have done, and repent from them. Please help me surrender my whole heart to you so that I may experience the freedom and joy I have in you. In your name Jesus, I pray. Amen.
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