Thursday 19 September, 2013

6 What should we say then? Should we keep on sinning so that God’s grace can increase? 2 Not at all! As far as sin is concerned, we are dead. So how can we keep on sinning? 3 All of us were baptized into Christ Jesus. Don’t you know that we were baptized into his death? 4 By being baptized, we were buried with Christ into his death. Christ has been raised from the dead by the Father’s glory. And like Christ we also can live a new life. 5 By being baptized, we have been joined with him in his death. We will certainly also be joined with him in his resurrection. 6 We know that what we used to be was nailed to the cross with him. That happened so our sinful bodies would lose their power. We are no longer slaves of sin. 7 Those who have died have been set free from sin. 8 We died with Christ. So we believe that we will also live with him. 9 We know that Christ was raised from the dead and will never die again. Death doesn’t control him anymore. 10 When he died, he died once and for all time as far as sin is concerned. Now that he lives, he lives as far as God is concerned. 11 In the same way, consider yourselves to be dead as far as sin is concerned. Now that you believe in Christ Jesus, consider yourselves to be alive as far as God is concerned. 12 So don’t let sin rule your body, which is going to die. Don’t obey its evil longings. 13 Don’t give the parts of your body to serve sin. Don’t let them be used to do evil. Instead, give yourselves to God. You have been brought from death to life. Give the parts of your body to him to do what is right. 14 Sin will not be your master. Law does not rule you. God’s grace has set you free.

I was baptised when I was 14 in a backyard swimming pool. The Pastor of my church asked me to read this passage through and understand it before the service. Back then v13 really hit me…

“give yourselves completely to God…

use your whole body as an instrument to do what is right for the glory of God.”

25 years later I can say with all my heart I still want nothing more.

The day I got baptised I stood up and said that I believed Jesus died for me and that this marked the day I would live for Him. The amazing thing was that a visitor to our Church came to watch the service and on hearing my testimony (and the others who were getting baptised that day) decided he wanted to become a Christian as well.

Jesus calls us to be baptised and follow Him. And amazing things happen when we do. Maybe today God is calling you to the deeper commitment of getting baptised.

Written by Boudy Van Noppen