Wednesday, July 26, 2023

Imagine standing on the shore of a crystal clear lake. There are two men standing about 10 feet away. One looks like a corpse and makes you want to look away in disgust. The other looks radiant. You then see the first man thrust under the water by the other man. As you watch, the filth and stench wash away. Before your eyes, that man emerges. He is no longer a corpse, but glorious. The contrast could not be more striking.

This is what happens when someone comes to Christ and why baptism is so symbolically significant. Before we come to Christ, we are dead in our sins. We are slaves to our sin nature, and no matter how hard we try, we cannot fix ourselves. Many claim that life without Christ is one of unlimited freedom, but it is a life of absolute slavery. Without Christ, we are dead and enslaved to sin.

The moment someone gives their life to Christ, they put to death their sin nature. They are given a new identity in Christ and are no longer slaves to the rulers of this world. When Christ died on the cross, he defeated the powers and authorities of this dark world. Paul had to remind the Colossian church of this freedom, and it’s a reminder to us today as well. When you give your life to Christ, you put to death your old nature and become new, like Christ.

Colossians 2:13-15
¹³ You were dead because of your sins and because your sinful nature was not yet cut away. Then God made you alive with Christ, for he forgave all our sins. ¹⁴ He canceled the record of the charges against us and took it away by nailing it to the cross. ¹⁵ In this way, he disarmed the spiritual rulers and authorities. He shamed them publicly by his victory over them on the cross.

Baptism is the symbolic completion of this death. When you go into the water, you are publicly declaring that your sin nature was put to death when Christ was nailed to the cross. As you emerge from the water, you declare your new life in Christ. Baptism does not save you, but it shows the world that a change has occurred in your allegiance. It also serves as a powerful reminder to yourself that you are a new creation.

Colossians 2:12
For you were buried with Christ when you were baptized. And with him you were raised to new life because you trusted the mighty power of God, who raised Christ from the dead.

Questions:
Have you ever thought about the significance of baptism? If you are a Christ-follower, have you been baptized?

Next Steps:
If you have not been baptized, ask yourself why not? You can go public with your faith on the first weekend of every month. Check with your campus pastor for details.

If you are baptized, when you feel your old struggles rise up, remember that you are a new creation. You put your old nature to death; Christ is your master now.

Prayer:
Lord, my heart overflows with thankfulness when I think of what you did for me. You provided a way for me to pass from death to life through your sacrifice and resurrection. Thank you for the sacrament of baptism. Thank you for the way it so powerfully shows us and the world what it means to be a follower of you. When I feel my old nature creeping back in, remind me that it is dead. I do not have to obey that master. You are my Lord and Master. Amen.

Series Theme Verse:

Colossians 1:23
But you must continue to believe this truth and stand firmly in it. Don’t drift away from the assurance you received when you heard the Good News. The Good News has been preached all over the world, and I, Paul, have been appointed as God’s servant to proclaim it.