Activist Opposing Self-Indulgence

Well, that’s what John the Baptist was: an anti self-indulgence activist. But he was one of a kind…an organization of one. John’s life mission was reform. He reform goal? Reveal to people the depth of self-indulgence in their lives…and call them to turn from sin.

In today’s culture, activism is an emotionally charged word. An activist expends at times extreme “efforts to promote, impede, direct or intervene in social change toward a perceived greater good.” (Copied from the Web).

John the Baptist was a Jewish activist. He never blocked traffic. He never threw rocks at police. He did not burn buildings…never held protest signs. He was a spiritual activist. The social change John sought was in the human soul. John’s passionate powerful teaching called people to examine their eternal souls…he taught repentance.

He was a colorful figure. Clothes of camel hair, living in the wilderness, eating locusts for breakfast-no one else did that. People went to the wilderness just to see this unusual charismatic man. But his dress, diet and behavior were not a clever act. John showed in words and actions his protest against self-indulgence…the root of our sins.

Surprised? Were people self-indulgent over 2,023 years ago? Absolutely. And self-indulgent behavior is what you and I seek by our very nature. Self-indulgence almost always leads us to sin.

We do not hear the word repent used today. Can you recall the last time someone told you to repent? John the Activist called people to a radical life change.

Perhaps his message sounded a bit like this:

Repent! Turn from your life of self-indulgent sin! Why? Your soul is eternal. Heaven and hell ARE REAL. Jesus will soon return to this earth! Repent! You sin! Life is not all about you! On your knees! Ask God to forgive you! Do it!

He will forgive you.

The thoughts you’ve been reading were formed from these words Matthew wrote about John:

 “John’s clothes were made of camel’s hair, and he had a leather belt around his waist. His food was locusts and wild honey. People went out to him from Jerusalem and all Judea and the whole region of the Jordan. Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River.”

Matthew 3:4-6

John the Baptist was an activist. His nonconformist approach to life did not turn people away. They came from the capital of Israel and everywhere. Two words explain the great reach of John the Baptist’s teaching: all and whole... “All Judea, the whole region!”

So, Just passing on John’s message today:

Repent!  We are to turn from our life of self-indulgence and sin. Jesus is coming again. This is no myth or fairy tale. And my friend, the time is much nearer now than when John preached.