Luke 3:16 John intervened: “I’m baptizing you here in the river. The main character in this drama, to whom I’m a mere stagehand, will ignite the kingdom life, a fire, the Holy Spirit within you, changing you from the inside out.” (The Message Bible)
The above verse is in response to people asking John the Baptist if he was the Messiah. John was telling people to change their behavior- repentance he called it. But he realized that a change of behavior would only go so far if it was accompanied by a change of attitude. The old joke goes, “How many Presbyterians does it take to change a lightbulb?” The answer is, “Only one, but the lightbulb has to want to change.” Our actions are important but they are usually more of a reflection of our desires than they are an influence for our desires. Real change comes from the inside out and that is what John said the Messiah would provide. Do you want a change in your deepest desires? Really?
Logan Memorial Presbyterian Church 