Just the beginning

I shared in this morning’s message on baptism that those who are unwilling to obey the Lord about baptism in front of the church, who will encourage and be excited for you, will not stand up for Christ in the midst of fellow students at school, friends in the neighborhood, family at reunions or gatherings or any place where there might well be push back about faith.  I shared that baptism is one of the first steps in the process of sanctification or discipleship for the new believer in Christ; in their journey of becoming more like Christ and less like themselves.  I want to pursue this thought a bit further here in this blog.

When a person is not willing to be obedient in baptism, I find they are unwilling to move forward in most other areas of growth in godliness.  Baptism costs an individual nothing except humility before their new family in Christ.  Other areas of growth though many times require us to pry our hands off long held attitudes, actions and ways of thinking that may at first seem to cost us much. Take for instance the issue of loving your neighbor.  Jesus tells us the second greatest commandment (Matthew 19:19) is to love our neighbors as ourselves.  He also extends the boundary of “neighbor” beyond those that border our property (Luke 10:29-37),  This is the parable of the Good Samaritan which ends with this exchange: “So which of these three do you think was neighbor to him who fell among the thieves?” And he said, ‘He who showed mercy on him.’ Then Jesus said to him, ‘Go and do likewise.'”  So, you tell me; which is easier and costs less — baptism or loving your neighbor?

I consider it a greater challenge what Jesus tells us in Matthew 5:43-48: “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet your brethren only, what do you do more than others? Do not even the tax collectors do so? Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.”  Again, I would find it easier to be obedient in the area of baptism than loving and praying for my enemies and those that use me.  Yet this type of Christ-like behavior is what sets Christians apart from the world which seems to only look out for itself.

Following, obeying and becoming more like Christ is not for the faint of heart because we battle the desires within and are buffeted by the enemies of the cross, both physical and spiritual.  I have selected only two instances to show that the process of sanctification — becoming more like Christ and less like ourselves — while beginning with obedience in baptism (easy and little or no cost) grows deeper and more costly as we mature in Christ.  And I haven’t mentioned your calendar, wallet, dreams, leisure time, possessions, the call to share the gospel, etc.  

So whether you haven’t been baptized (the immediate question is, “why not”) or baptized a long time ago, how is your growth in Christian maturity? Becoming more like Christ?  If you need help, come join us in the journey!

Pressing on…

Ron Tipton, Senior Pastor