76 And you, my child, will be called a prophet of the Most High;
for you will go on before the Lord to prepare the way for him, 77 to give his people the knowledge of salvation
through the forgiveness of their sins, 78 because of the tender mercy of our God,
by which the rising sun will come to us from heaven 79 to shine on those living in darkness
and in the shadow of death,
to guide our feet into the path of peace.”
80 And the child grew and became strong in spirit; and he lived in the wilderness until he appeared publicly to Israel.
Sorry last sentence should be: I really appreciate the saying that there's only one kind of person in heaven, forgiven.
77 to give his people the knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins, I was just caught by the concise and profound truth in this verse about salvation. The key to our salvation in Christ starts by receiving the gift of the forgiveness of our sins. Salvation in Christ is not about doing good things to earn our way to be with God, but about having our sins forgiven. Once we receive the forgiveness of our sins, we become new creatures in Christ, spending our life giving away the gift of forgiveness and continuing to receive God's grace in Christ's forgiveness. I really appreciate the saying that there's only what kind of person in heaven, forgiven.
There is a John the Baptist generation composed of young and old who have been growing and becoming strong in spirit, hidden in the wilderness of the world until the time of their public showing.
Repentance is a gift that comes from "the tender mercy of our God." It draws us to Jesus. Lord, help us to have hearts that turn and re-turn to you through humble repentance.