“What should we do then?” the crowd asked. John answered, “Anyone who has two shirts should share with the one who has none, and anyone who has food should do the same.” Even tax collectors came to be baptized. “Teacher,” they asked, “what should we do?” “Don’t collect any more than you are required to,” he told them. Then some soldiers asked him, “And what should we do?” He replied, “Don’t extort money and don’t accuse people falsely—be content with your pay.”

“What should I do?” This is such a natural question to ask in response to being convicted of sin, and repenting. It could also be asked like this: “What can I do to get right with God?” What was happening in the desert while John was filled with God’s Spirit and people were hearing God’s Word? REVIVAL! This was a repentance and turning to a right relationship with God by many. They were TIRED OF LIVING A LIE! And many of them were willing to lay everything on the table. They asked, “What should we do?” Wealthy tax collectors, powerful soldiers, citizens of every color, shape, and stripe were represented there. And they were repenting of their evil ways and turning wholeheartedly to God. One interesting thing John didn’t say was: “Just do good”. This is a generality with no specific action required. Many take this easy way out of repentance. No, he specifically stated the sins they needed to repent of. When I repent, I need to be specific about my sin, own it, and be specific about the impact it has had on others. I cannot marginalize it, justify it, or point out the sin of others to minimalize it. I must call it out and own it … and turn to righteousness. The tax collector had to stop cheating others on their taxes. The soldier had to stop threatening to bring harm to others; he had to stop extorting money from them. People need to stop hoarding the resources God provided them. Stop ignoring the needs of those around them. And start giving to others out of their excess. They needed to START SERVING OTHERS FIRST. What is it that I need to stop doing to repent and draw close to God?

Lord, thank you for this practical example of drawing close to you through repentance. Has my sin been so pervasive for so long, that I have become comfortable with it? Break me, do surgery on my heart, teach me to seek out truth and righteousness in all areas of my life. Father God, what should I do to draw close to you?