Catechism Section--Baptism Part 3
Ephesians 5:26--that [Jesus] might sanctify [the Church], having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word.
Devotion--Jesus has cleansed the Church, the entire body of all who believe that Jesus died for them, taking away their sins, and that He rose again, and now gives them new life. And in the Bible, the particular way that God tells us that this happens is through the waters of baptism.
Every day, as Christians, we walk around as cleansed, forgiven people who have been given new life. In a way, we have a new outlook on life. No longer is life a hopeless endeavor that ends at death, but our lives have been redeemed and made new. Now the things that we do in this world carry over into eternity, even if we don't fully understand exactly how. And the interactions that we have with our fellow Christians are not just interactions for this life, but will continue on forever in the presence of God and the Lamb, Christ Jesus.
When we receive that eternal inheritance, we will interact with one another perfectly. No sin will stain our relationships. Love will be perfectly lived out. But while we wait for the time when we come into that eternal inheritance, we still have the opportunity to "practice" that life.
You, dear Christian, have been cleansed and sanctified through your baptism. That means that you now have the opportunity to live in forgiveness, in compassion, in love, and in truth with all other people, but especially with your dear brothers and sisters in Christ. No, you don't do that as though it achieves more in God's eyes. That's been fully taken care of through Jesus and your baptism.
You do it, however, for the benefit of each other. Every word of forgiveness that is spoken furthers the will of God, who desires that His disciples go forth and announce forgiveness. Every act of compassion demonstrates the grace of God, who acted on behalf of those who didn't deserve it. Every word of encouragement that is spoken builds up, reflecting the God who acts through His spoken and declared word.
Today, how will you relate to any of your fellow baptized believers as people who have been baptized? What opportunities to forgive, to encourage, or to build up do you have? In what way will you make the most of them? After all, you do this, not so much for God's benefit, but for the benefit of your neighbor.
Ephesians 5:26--that [Jesus] might sanctify [the Church], having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word.
Devotion--Jesus has cleansed the Church, the entire body of all who believe that Jesus died for them, taking away their sins, and that He rose again, and now gives them new life. And in the Bible, the particular way that God tells us that this happens is through the waters of baptism.
Every day, as Christians, we walk around as cleansed, forgiven people who have been given new life. In a way, we have a new outlook on life. No longer is life a hopeless endeavor that ends at death, but our lives have been redeemed and made new. Now the things that we do in this world carry over into eternity, even if we don't fully understand exactly how. And the interactions that we have with our fellow Christians are not just interactions for this life, but will continue on forever in the presence of God and the Lamb, Christ Jesus.
When we receive that eternal inheritance, we will interact with one another perfectly. No sin will stain our relationships. Love will be perfectly lived out. But while we wait for the time when we come into that eternal inheritance, we still have the opportunity to "practice" that life.
You, dear Christian, have been cleansed and sanctified through your baptism. That means that you now have the opportunity to live in forgiveness, in compassion, in love, and in truth with all other people, but especially with your dear brothers and sisters in Christ. No, you don't do that as though it achieves more in God's eyes. That's been fully taken care of through Jesus and your baptism.
You do it, however, for the benefit of each other. Every word of forgiveness that is spoken furthers the will of God, who desires that His disciples go forth and announce forgiveness. Every act of compassion demonstrates the grace of God, who acted on behalf of those who didn't deserve it. Every word of encouragement that is spoken builds up, reflecting the God who acts through His spoken and declared word.
Today, how will you relate to any of your fellow baptized believers as people who have been baptized? What opportunities to forgive, to encourage, or to build up do you have? In what way will you make the most of them? After all, you do this, not so much for God's benefit, but for the benefit of your neighbor.
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