8 Produce fruit in KEEPING (Demonstrate genuine change) with repentance. Matthew 3
The little word ‘KEEP’ is in common use in our language today and it is also found many times in scripture. In the verse above, John the Baptist demanded that the religious people of the day demonstrated that their repentance was genuine and not just a form of words. The Believer’s actions should also line up with our words.
Some of the common meanings of ‘Keep’ in use today are insightful.
– continue to follow, a path or course; honour or fulfil, keep our promise
– the strongest or central tower of a castle, acting as a final refuge
Ultimately we need the Lord to help us and keep us, but we must set our hearts to follow Him. The Old Covenant was Law based and was external, but the New Covenant is internal, based upon God’s love for us, through Christ’s sacrifice.
Some of the many scriptures in the Gospels which speak of things we should KEEP in Christ.
Watchfulness
35 ‘Be dressed ready for service and KEEP YOUR LAMPS BURNING, 36 like servants waiting for their master to return from a wedding banquet, so that when he comes and knocks they can immediately open the door for him. Luke 12
42 ‘Therefore KEEP WATCH, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come. Matthew 24
13 ‘Therefore KEEP WATCH, because you do not know the day or the hour. Matthew 25
The Gospels exhort us to be alert and watchful in our time here in this world, things can change suddenly and we need to be aware when change is happening. God gave Israel prophets in the Old Testament to warn them and the Church has still has the prophets in our midst. However, all believers have the Spirit of God within to help and guide us, so we can all discern things around us as we walk with the Lord in our daily lives.
24 “‘“THE LORD BLESS YOU
AND KEEP YOU;
25 the Lord make his face shine on you
and be gracious to you;
26 the Lord turn his face toward you
and give you peace.”’
27 “So they will put my name on the Israelites, and I will bless them.” Numbers 6
God didn’t leave it up to the priests what words they must use to confer blessing upon the Israelites, He gave them the beautiful words they should speak over His people. Those words began with a promise TO BLESS AND KEEP HIS PEOPLE IN EVERY SITUATION, despite the plots of their enemies. Amen
May the Lord Bless and Keep us today. Immanuel, God is with us.