If you were to ask John the Baptist what the biggest threat to saving faith in Israel was during his time, he would no doubt reply and say that the biggest hindrance to saving faith in his day was that people had a lot of good works but very little repentance.
His opening sermon was “Repent!” because the Saviour was near (Matt 3:2-3).
Many came to hear him preach. They all confessed their sins and were saved (Matt 3:5-6).
But then two different groups of people came—individuals who were a lot more moral than the masses who normally came. They were theologians and Bible scholars who had perfected their use of God’s Word for their own success and superiority. In their own eyes they had no need for repentance, and since repentance was John’s only message, we must conclude that they came to John out of some form of curiosity or, more likely, perhaps to deliver some opinion or judgement on John’s meals, methods, and message.
John, as a faithful preacher, having invited many to repentance, turns in judgement on those who had so many good works, but no repentance. Though they were outstandingly moral and famous for their good works, their good works were self-made fruit, not fruit “in keeping with repentance” (Matt 3:7-8).
They were holding on to their family legacy of faith (Matt 3:9), but were about to be condemned to hell when the Saviour arrived (Matt 3:10-12).
Ask yourself today, not “Am I doing good works?”, but “Are my good works a result of repentance?”
Seek not only to try harder at being good, but seek first to confess your sins, and then to do works that are truly righteous.