Repentance & Baptism

Featured Image: Congregation rejoicing in baptism of new believers: Photo by Vince Fleming on Unsplash Bakersfield, CA United States

Night Cafe Generated Image: meadow hike

Repentance is a process

Coming to Christ doesn’t mean that you will cease to struggle with sin. God transforms our nature in a process that continues from the moment of conversion to when He delivers us before Him (death/return of Christ).

Got Questions summarizes:

“In summary, repentance is a change of mind. But the full biblical understanding of repentance goes beyond that. In relationship to salvation, repentance is a change of mind from an embrace of sin to rejection of sin and from rejection of Christ to faith in Christ. Such repentance is something only God can enable (John 6:44; Acts 11:18; 2 Timothy 2:25). Therefore, true biblical repentance will always result in a change of behavior.”

Source: https://www.gotquestions.org/repentance-change-mind-turn-sin.html

Consider the terms “not instantly,” “inevitably,” and “progressively.” God works in our lives to make us more like Christ. How does God accomplish this work? Paul explains his struggle with sin (Romans 7) and Holy Spirit’s role in helping us: Romans 8:5-11 Berean Standard Bible

5Those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh; but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. 6The mind of the flesh is death, but the mind of the Spirit is life and peace, 7because the mind of the flesh is hostile to God: It does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so. 8Those controlled by the flesh cannot please God.

9You, however, are controlled not by the flesh, but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ. 10But if Christ is in you, your body is dead because of sin, yet your spirit is alive because of righteousness. 11And if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit, who lives in you.

Holy Spirit gives us life through Jesus Christ! When we walk with Holy Spirit, He leads us away from sin (rebellion) and into life with God. Holy Spirit is God’s Presence that empowers us to live with, for, and through God!

Repentance happens as we turn our minds and hearts away from sin and toward God’s marvelous grace. It’s His Righteousness and Mercy that calls us to come forward to be made anew!

Photo by Vince Fleming on Unsplash North Coast Church, North Santa Fe Avenue, Vista, CA, USA

Baptism is a reflection of inner transformation/new life

Does baptism wipe your sins away? This is a belief based on a literal interpretation of Acts 2:38 and a particular Greek word “eis” taken out of context. For a detailed explanation:

https://www.gotquestions.org/baptism-Acts-2-38.html

Baptism is a beautiful symbol of new life in Christ! Baptism is an act of faith and obedience, but not a magical act. What does baptism mean? I highlight the key components:

Christian baptism is the means by which a person makes a public profession of faith and discipleship.

In the waters of baptism, a person says, wordlessly, “I confess faith in Christ; Jesus has cleansed my soul from sin, and I now have a new life of sanctification.”

Christian baptism illustrates, in dramatic style, the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ.

At the same time, it also illustrates our death to sin and new life in Christ. As the sinner confesses the Lord Jesus, he dies to sin (Romans 6:11) and is raised to a brand-new life (Colossians 2:12).

Being submerged in the water represents death to sin, and emerging from the water represents the cleansed, holy life that follows salvation.

Source: https://www.gotquestions.org/Christian-baptism.html

Photo by Jochen van Wylick on Unsplash: Father delights in his young son.

True Freedom: Adopted Children of God

Freedom from the law of sin and death comes as God adopts us. God brings us into new spiritual life as His children. Paul explains in Galatians 4:

Sons and Heirs

1What I am saying is that as long as the heir is a child, he is no different from a slave, although he is the owner of everything. 2He is subject to guardians and trustees until the date set by his father.

3So also, when we were children, we were enslaved under the basic principles of the world. 4But when the time had fully come, God sent His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, 5to redeem those under the law, that we might receive our adoption as sons. 6And because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying out, “Abba, Father!” 7So you are no longer a slave, but a son; and since you are a son, you are also an heir through God.

Paul explains how we are “grafted in” and “connected to God’s love” in Romans 11 and Romans 8. We are free as God’s Children to walk with Him in faith, grace, and love. Our lives therefore reflect Him as opposed to someone burdened with religious rules and self-righteousness! May you shine forth His grace, truth, hope, as you live out a Gospel centered life!

Photo by Luke Miller on Unsplash