10 And the crowds asked him, “What then shall we do?” 11 And he answered them, “Whoever has two tunics is to share with him who has none, and whoever has food is to do likewise.” 12 Tax collectors also came to be baptized and said to him, “Teacher, what shall we do?” 13 And he said to them, “Collect no more than you are authorized to do.” 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.”
These people sincerely wanted to know: "What then shall we do?" What can we do not to get salvation, but to demonstrate that we really have repented, received His salvation, and are trusting completely in Him? All John had to do was look at these people to see their background. Some had designer clothes and had obviously never missed a meal; if their repentance was real, they would realize all they had been blessed with and share it with those in need. Tax collectors would stop their legal but immoral racket of demanding more than necessary, and restore an atmosphere of honesty. Soldiers would stop being cruel to those they were meant to protect, and demonstrate compassion toward others and contentment with wages. In short, their relationship with God would affect how they looked at and treated others. Has that happened to you? Can you see true generosity, honesty, mercy, and a lack of comparing yourself to others?
These people sincerely wanted to know: "What then shall we do?" What can we do not to get salvation, but to demonstrate that we really have repented, received His salvation, and are trusting completely in Him? All John had to do was look at these people to see their background. Some had designer clothes and had obviously never missed a meal; if their repentance was real, they would realize all they had been blessed with and share it with those in need. Tax collectors would stop their legal but immoral racket of demanding more than necessary, and restore an atmosphere of honesty. Soldiers would stop being cruel to those they were meant to protect, and demonstrate compassion toward others and contentment with wages. In short, their relationship with God would affect how they looked at and treated others. Has that happened to you? Can you see true generosity, honesty, mercy, and a lack of comparing yourself to others?
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