What Then Shall We Do?

John the Baptist preached to the people who came to be baptized. He told them to repent and not rely on their heritage to save them.

"Don't say to yourselves, 'We have Abraham for our father.' For I say to you that from these stones God is able to raise up children to Abraham."

Many people believed they were saved simply because they belonged to a special people. The Messiah was to come into the world through them. God himself had revealed himself to them. They were God's chosen people.

John was warning them not to rely on the fact that Abraham was their forefather. This fact could not save them. God could have turned stones into people if he wanted to. He didn't need them.

As the people listened to this, some came to John and asked, "Then what shall we do?"

John told them to do things that would help others. He told them to share their clothes and food. He told the tax collectors not to take more money than they were allowed. He told the soldiers not to steal from people, commit perjury or complain about their wages.

If we help others, that will not save us either. But John was talking about the fruits of the Spirit. "Bear fruits in keeping with repentance," he said. This fruit will grow in us if we allow God to live in us and through us. It is the life we live with God and with people that show our true repentance.