From "Radical Repentance" (Heavenward Bound, September 2026)
What does it mean to repent?
This issue of HB is devoted to John’s answers to that question, challenging our notion of repentance by examining whether we have borne fruit in keeping with it.
14 Soldiers also asked him, “And we, what shall we do?” And he said to them, “Do not extort money from anyone by threats or by false accusation, and be content with your wages.” (Luke 3.14 ESV)
In order for these Roman soldiers to repent, they first had to understand “might makes right” does not fly for disciples of Christ. It was common practice for Roman soldiers to threaten harm and strongarm people into getting their way. Can you imagine for one second Jesus using His power to get His way? Jesus wouldn’t save His own life by His own will and station, and even said so!
“Do you think that I cannot appeal to my Father, and he will at once send me more than twelve legions of angels?” (Matt. 26.53) It is completely un-Christlike to use one’s power, in whatever sense you want to think about it, to get our way or to profit at another’s expense. Rom. 13.9-10 provides the contrast to “might makes right” in one simple phrase: “Love does no wrong to a neighbor.”
Second, the soldiers are told to refuse to profit by taking advantage of others. What would motivate these soldiers to abuse their power? In short, there was something to be gained from it, whether it be influence, power, or money. They were discontented and saw in their power an avenue for gain! We too are tempted to do all sorts of things on the grounds that we will gain some profit from them. We gossip to gain the favor/interest of the one to whom we’re speaking by talking about someone behind their back in an unflattering (and often dishonest) way. We slander to gain favor in comparison to a person. Quarreling and fighting often stems from coveting favor by being the one who is right, or the one who has greater knowledge. Christians must REFUSE to profit in any aspect by the evil treatment of other people. James 4.1-3 will sound familiar in this sense.
Finally, John advises these soldier to “be content with your wages”. There is no need nor desire to turn to evil for profit because the follower of God trusts that God will provide for their needs (1 Tim. 6.8-10). Socially speaking, we do not wrong others for-profit because our gain is not measured by social standing, but by Christ-likeness (Eph. 4.31-32). Repentance by humbly trusting in God’s power and providence provides the one thing neither power or profiting off of other people can give: Peace.
The Hebrew writer put it this way: “Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” 6 So we can confidently say, “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?” (Heb. 13.5-6).
Kyle Sanders
Kyle has been preaching since 2016 in Chiefland, Florida and Clinton, Mississippi before coming to work with the Jamestown church of Christ in 2021. Before preaching, he spent several years as a high school mathematics teacher in Indiana, Kentucky, and Florida. Kyle is a teacher at heart and brings his love of studying and interacting with students into his preaching and teaching efforts. He and his wife, a native Hoosier, have been blessed with five children, two dogs, a full house and zero leftovers.