Been through the water... congrats on your new Birthday, Ruth!

“For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourself with Christ.” (Galatians 3: 26-29).  

You have new cloths to cover you Ruth. So proud your moving forward with Christ.

If you are wanting to be baptized, and are not moving forward because you feel you aren’t good enough, or someone is making you feel that way, remember you could NEVER be good enough, Jesus became good enough for you. It’s already been done, in the book of John when He was dying on the cross and said, “It is finished.” (John 19:30).

Baptism is an outward symbol, of an inner change. It is done by complete submersion like Jesus did, following His example in all we do. How we live our life to glorify Him, is how we show our thankfulness for all He’s done.

The best meaning to me about baptism, is found in Romans 6:1-13, “What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that Grace may abound? Certainly not!” 

(verse 1).

Down with your old life, and up in a new. To walk, as it says in verse 4, “in the newness of life,” we can only do this through the power, and strength of Jesus Christ working in us. This doesn’t mean that we’ll never sin again, because sin has a way of creeping its way back into our life. It does mean “we should no longer be slaves to sin.” (verse 6).

I believe that is why a lot of people who are Christians, do not take a step forward to be baptized because they are not ready to die to self.  Or just don’t understand it’s meaning.  I believe those who choose to take this step of baptism, understand and have searched God’s word for its meaning, and have their minds made up to “die to self”, and what breaks God's heart, should break ours.

Baptism is not the ticket into heaven. Remember the thief on the cross had no time to be good, or turn his life around, he just acknowledged Jesus for who He is. Baptism is a meaningless ceremony, unless true conversion comes first. Confessing we are sinners, and knowing the only way to be forgiven is acknowledging that nothing but the blood of Jesus can wash our sins away. Because of our love for Christ, we should want to take the steps forward that pleases God as Jesus did.

There is probably many people in heaven who haven’t been baptized because they didn’t have the opportunity, or they didn’t understand it.

If you are walking with God, and seeking to do His will, why wouldn’t you want to be baptized? Is it because you are not ready to die to self? Really think about it. Is it you who lives, or Christ who lives in you? 

"I have been crucified with Christ... The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me." (Galations2:20).

Grace and peace to you

Kim