Read: Mark 1:1-8

John the Baptist prepared a way for people to accept Jesus. He was the forerunner for Jesus who boldly spoke about repentance. He spoke “repent for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matt 3:2). As parents, it is our responsibility to prepare a way for our children to know and accept Jesus as their personal Saviour. Pastors need to effectively prepare the way by teaching their congregation the importance of having a repentant heart. If they fail to prepare the way effectively, they will be answerable to God, as those who teach will be judged more strictly (Jas. 3:1).

Unless you cleanse your heart, you cannot invite Jesus. Jesus is our holy God and He cannot stand sin. Jesus insists us to be holy as He is holy, to prepare a way for Him (1 Pet. 1:13-16). We have to ask forgiveness from God, to make us be more like Him and to bear the fruit of the Spirit of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, meekness and self-control (Gal. 5:22-23). Ask God to remove the thoughts of anger, lust, rage, selfish ambition, adultery, idolatry, witchcraft, etc. (Gal. 5:19-21) so that you can bear His character. If you abide in Christ, He would abide in you (John 15:4). When the disciples walked with Jesus, they bore His nature. People understood that these disciples were with Jesus even after His resurrection (Acts 4:13).

The road to a Christian life is not easy. The road is narrow and there are great struggles, but it leads to life (Matt. 7:14). As a Christian, your role is to introduce others to Christ.  By reflecting Christ in your attitudes, you can bring lost souls to Jesus. You cannot be righteous always; your righteousness is like filthy rags. However perfect you try to be, you fail miserably; but Jesus has promised us that though our sins are like scarlet, He will make it white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool (Isa. 1:18). Are you cleansing your heart and preparing a way for the Lord?