How do you know what is right or wrong?  Some say, 'if I feel it is right', others refer to tradition or simply 'what everybody else thinks'.  But the Bible says that truth is revealed by God (Deuteronomy 29:29) so that we may obey Him and receive His blessing. Those who welcome God's truth, are 'in the light'; others remain 'in the dark' (John 3:18-21).  But how can people move from the dark to the light?

Repentance is the first step.  Freely admitting that we are wrong, and God is right.  John’s ministry was to announce that God was coming and that people needed to be clean in their hearts to welcome Him (Matthew 3:2-3).  Baptism was a Jewish way of saying, ‘I am a sinner and I ask God to make me clean’ (Matthew 3:11).  John would only baptise those who admitted they were sinfully rebellious towards God, and wanted to change.  Many came to confess their sins and be baptised (Matthew 3:6).  

Those who refused John's message had no interest in baptism because it was the external mark of their willingness to confess their sin. However, rejecting the truth about themselves also made them incapable of receiving truth from Jesus.  So, while the formerly corrupt tax collectors knew that Jesus was telling the truth, and welcomed it, the self-important religious experts blinded themselves against seeing God's purpose in Christ.  Although some of them pretended to want to be baptised, Jesus knew their hearts.  They did not really want God’s authority over their lives; their religion was a sham (Matthew 3:7-10).

Many people seek guidance but feel they are in a fog.  A good question to ask them is, ‘The last time God spoke to you, did you obey what He said?’ (for a rebellious spirit cannot receive truth).  If the answer is "No!", then tell them that the first step in going forwards is to repent of going backwards against God's will.  Repentance always produces an openness to truth; it is the door to a godly future, a peaceful heart and a sound mind.  People with those qualities stop complaining and arguing, as they live confidently trusting the Lord.  They are like 'stars in the sky as you hold firmly to the word of life' (Philippians 2:14-16).  Engineers or artists, transport or farm workers, construction or manufacturing workers, teachers or bankers - can you think of any work-group which would not be greatly blessed by such people?