July 24, 2022— For those of us who have been baptized with the Holy Spirit, we understand and see the world differently. We see it for what it is, and what it could be carries a different meaning. That is because, we are not to conform to the world around us, but to the calling of God. Simply put, that calling is to accept His Son, Jesus Christ and live righteously. This is easier said than done. Jesus Christ gives us the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit guides us in our ways helping us in our weaknesses (Romans 6:26), but Satan tries to stop us from pursuing salvation.
Baptism By Fire
John the Baptist said that he baptizes people unto repentance, but that "He who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire”. (Matthew 3:11). John the Baptist who had the spirit of Elijah (Matthew 11:14, Matthew 17:11, and Luke 1:17) was speaking to Jesus Christ. John the Baptist had testified that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, who baptizes with the Holy Spirit (John 1:33-34).
When you accept Jesus Christ of Nazareth as your savior, you will be baptized “in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.” (Matthew 28:19). The Holy Spirt will guide you in your life, giving you knowledge, wisdom, and understanding in all matters of life. This will ultimately assist you in differentiating between good and evil. Evil comes in the form of sin, tempted by Satan by exploiting your weaknesses. According to the Holy Bible, “the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23).
The good news is that Jesus Christ conquered death by being the ultimate sacrifice. This fulfilled several prophecies in the Old Testament. One in particular is “He will swallow up death forever.” (Isaiah 25:8). Jesus Christ died on the cross, because “God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believe in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16). Through Jesus’s sacrifice (crucifixion), we are freed from not only sin, but the punishment of God’s wrath. Romans 5:9 says, “Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him.” The love of the Lord, our God was only accomplished through His mercy and grace so that sin will not have dominion over us because we are under grace (Romans 6:14).
Serving God
However, while free of the bondage of sin, by accepting Jesus Christ as our savior and repenting from sin, we are now expected to serve God. Romans 6:18 speaks to this, “And having been set free from sin, you became slaves of righteousness.” The Christian lifestyle does not end at baptism, in fact, it just begins because you are made anew, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” (2 Corinthians 5:17). By being renewed in Christ, we are now servants to God. Look at what Paul said, “But now having been set free from sin, and having become slaves of God, you have your fruit to holiness, and the end, everlasting life.” (Romans 6:22). Being a Christian is a difficult journey, and a promise was never made that it would be easy.
Jesus Christ forewarned us that He is sending us as sheep to wolves (Matthew 10:16). He told us what to expect when we believe in Him: persecutions and hatred. This can be a deterrent for many in the Christian walk. However, those that are deterred need to be reminded of this particular verse, “And you will be hated by all for My name’s sake. But he who endures to the end will be saved.” (Matthew 10:22). While the first part of this verse is saddening, the second part should give you faith. For it is God’s love and your faith that led you to accept (or to consider accepting) Jesus Christ as your savior. Hallelujah!
Why God Calls Us
The Holy Bible says God searches our hearts (Psalm 44:21). By searching our hearts, God knows our intents, thoughts and motives. Paul speaks to God searching our hearts in Romans 8:27, “Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God.” (Romans 8:27). Paul expands on this, “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.” (Romans 8:28).
God’s purpose is eternal life, and that you believe and accept Jesus Christ as your savior. By extension, God will use you to assist others in some capacity by using spiritual gifts that you have. You will play a part in God’s plan, each of us as one body in Christ, “For as we have many members in one body, but all members do not have the same function so we being many, are one body in Christ and individually members of one another. Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them.” (Romans 12:4-6).
Accepting Jesus
Are you ready to accept Jesus Christ as your savior? Say this prayer:
God, I confess that Jesus came in the flesh and blood, paid the price for my sins, died on the cross, rose on the third day, ascended to the heavens, and sent the Holy Spirit to help me understand Your ways. For that, I accept Jesus Christ as my savior and Lord, and I welcome the Holy Spirit in my life. In Jesus’s name I pray, amen!
May God bless you in the name of Jesus, and may I welcome you to the Christian family. Amen.
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