That Settles It!

 

It is time to settle it.

A physical act is a way to show what we really mean inside.  A hug, a kiss, a gentle touch, a smile.  That is the way God made us.  Even with worship, every single time that worship is expressed in the Bible, it is shown with a physical act such as bowing down, lifting hands, kneeling down, or openly singing praise.  Similarly, partaking of bread and the cup expresses our communion with God, our literal being in Him and He being in us. God has created or given us physical acts to express and verify our inner choices. 

So it follows that in opening our heart to repent and believe, there would be physical steps to both express this decision and to be a reminder that it is settled.  It is called baptism.  The Greek word "baptizo" means to be physical dipped into something, such a dyeing a piece of clothing.  The person is immersed or brought into this new reality and is permanently changed.

Romans 6 gives us a description of what happens to a believer through baptism: "we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life."  It continues with a reassuring step of faith, "For if we have been united together in the likeness of His death, certainly we also shall be in the likeness of His resurrection."  The physical act of going under the water shows we have "died and are buried" with Him by faith, and as we come up out of the water, we identify that the Spirit of God has raised us up to new life.  It is a reference point that helps us settle this truth of being united with what Jesus has done.  From this point on we are told (Rom 6:11) to reckon or consider yourselves to be "dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord."

Jesus instructed us to "believe and be baptized."  It is a command, which each person has to choose to obey; no one can do it for you.  You may have been dedicated to God as a baby, but when you come of age you are called on to obey the command of your own free choice.  The Word of God is always addressed to your will, such as choose life.  In 1 Peter 3:21 baptism is defined "not the removal of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ."  Just as Jesus was baptized by John to fulfill righteousness, we also fulfill righteousness or simply become right with God, when we choose to obey what God has asked and are baptized.

Many people, even after accepting Jesus as savior, still have struggles giving in to the desires of the flesh.  This foundation step of baptism is not just a religious act, it is a concrete act that settles in our hearts this truth of being united with Jesus in His death, burial, and resurrection to new life.  Anytime we obey God, there is a release of new life, because God gives grace to the humble, to those who receive the Word with meekness and obey.  

If you are "trying" to make a choice, but easily are overcome by the same fleshly thought or temptation, it is time to settle the foundation.  You need the power of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ as your foundation stone, and your choice to obey the command to be baptized, releases the power of God to make that victory real in your experience.  Baptism, or obeying God in a physical act, allows your heart and mind to know it is done, and you can always depend on that truth to overcome the lies of the flesh and the devil.  So settle it and walk on to maturity in victory!