“as it is written in the book of the words of the prophet Isaiah: A voice of one crying out in the wilderness: Prepare the way for the Lord; make his paths straight! Every valley will be filled, and every mountain and hill will be made low; the crooked will become straight, the rough ways smooth, and everyone will see the salvation of God. He then said to the crowds who came out to be baptized by him, “Brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? Therefore produce fruit consistent with repentance. And don’t start saying to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father,’ for I tell you that God is able to raise up children for Abraham from these stones. The ax is already at the root of the trees. Therefore, every tree that doesn’t produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.” “What then should we do?” the crowds were asking him.” Luke 3:4-10 CSB https://bible.com/bible/1713/luk.3.4-10.CSB

Do you desire the return of the Lord Jesus? When He returns, He will establish His forever kingdom upon the new earth where all those but only those who have loved Him will live forever with Him. Is this your hope? What fruit then have you produced in keeping with your repentance? This is your offering to God as evidence of your love for God. Did you attend Church? That is good, but like the sons of Abraham, membership in a Church is not good fruit that will keep you from being tossed into the fire. Participating in the body of Christ, the Church, to worship the King, and receive instruction to serve the King, then going and seeking and saving the lost for the King with the people of God is fruit that will last and is the purpose of your Church membership. The kingdom’s message is to repent and believe, then go and obey. If we remain in our trespasses and sins for which Christ died, we are a brood of vipers whose lives demonstrate a lack of repentance, faith, and commitment. Repentance is turning away from those things for which Christ died. Faith is turning toward Jesus, Whose work on the cross is sufficient to pay the penalty for all our sins. Belief in His resurrection is our hope and assurance for life forever. Going into the world to make disciples is our purpose for remaining on earth instead of being taken immediately into heaven. Obeying Jesus by teaching others to do the same is preparing all of us for that day when He returns, and we hear Him say well done, good and faithful servant, enter into the joy of your Master. Forever!