Matthew 28:19-20--Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.
What is baptism: Baptism is not just plain water, but it is the water included in God's command, and combined with God's Word. Which is that word of God? Christ our Lord says in the last chapter of Matthew, "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit."
Devotional thought--God gives gifts that are very personal to us. In our baptism, we are given the Holy Spirit, the forgiveness of sins, and we are made a new creation through Jesus' resurrection. These gifts are for each of us personally when we are baptized, and they never depart from us.
The thing is, God doesn't give His gifts to simply be kept for ourselves. He gives them as a means to further the sharing of faith and His Word of hope, forgiveness, and salvation. The same goes for your gifts in baptism. Yes, they are yours, and God wants them to be living and active in your life, but He also doesn't want you to simply keep them to yourself.
We see this in Jesus' words above. Go! Make disciples! Teach them what I have said and commanded! Our baptism joins us to the community of faith, but those gifts aren't even intended only for that community. They are intended to be shared with the entire world. That means that God's hope and will and desire is that you find and make the most of the opportunities that He provides you daily to share your baptismal grace, not only sharing it with fellow Christians, but even with those who do not yet believe.
As you live your life, you can do so in a way that declares that you are God's forgiven, chosen person. While I could give you specific things that you could do, the reality is that each of us has different opportunities, different relationships, and therefore, we simply cannot have a blanket, one size fits all approach. Rather, we live as people who have been forgiven, and who are unafraid to ask for forgiveness. We live as people who have been forgiven, and therefore, we look for opportunities to forgive others, and to share with them the source of our forgiveness. We have a new life, and we live in such a way that we actively look for opportunities to share the source of that new life.
How will you recognize the opportunities that God is providing in your life (and yes, they are there)? What strengthening and equipping do you need to recognize these, or to make the most of them? Where will you start? Who will you ask for help if you need it? Who is there that you know of where you can speak that word of forgiveness, ask for forgiveness, or share about your new life? When will you take up Christ's will and teach them what He has said, about His grace, and about what He has done for them?
Prayer: Dear Lord Jesus, help me to recognize that my baptism has given me gifts that I can share in my daily life. Help me to recognize the opportunities you provide, and to make the most of them. Give me strength and courage to ask for help when I need further equipping. Let my life declare Your grace, which You have given to me through my baptism. Amen.
What is baptism: Baptism is not just plain water, but it is the water included in God's command, and combined with God's Word. Which is that word of God? Christ our Lord says in the last chapter of Matthew, "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit."
Devotional thought--God gives gifts that are very personal to us. In our baptism, we are given the Holy Spirit, the forgiveness of sins, and we are made a new creation through Jesus' resurrection. These gifts are for each of us personally when we are baptized, and they never depart from us.
The thing is, God doesn't give His gifts to simply be kept for ourselves. He gives them as a means to further the sharing of faith and His Word of hope, forgiveness, and salvation. The same goes for your gifts in baptism. Yes, they are yours, and God wants them to be living and active in your life, but He also doesn't want you to simply keep them to yourself.
We see this in Jesus' words above. Go! Make disciples! Teach them what I have said and commanded! Our baptism joins us to the community of faith, but those gifts aren't even intended only for that community. They are intended to be shared with the entire world. That means that God's hope and will and desire is that you find and make the most of the opportunities that He provides you daily to share your baptismal grace, not only sharing it with fellow Christians, but even with those who do not yet believe.
As you live your life, you can do so in a way that declares that you are God's forgiven, chosen person. While I could give you specific things that you could do, the reality is that each of us has different opportunities, different relationships, and therefore, we simply cannot have a blanket, one size fits all approach. Rather, we live as people who have been forgiven, and who are unafraid to ask for forgiveness. We live as people who have been forgiven, and therefore, we look for opportunities to forgive others, and to share with them the source of our forgiveness. We have a new life, and we live in such a way that we actively look for opportunities to share the source of that new life.
How will you recognize the opportunities that God is providing in your life (and yes, they are there)? What strengthening and equipping do you need to recognize these, or to make the most of them? Where will you start? Who will you ask for help if you need it? Who is there that you know of where you can speak that word of forgiveness, ask for forgiveness, or share about your new life? When will you take up Christ's will and teach them what He has said, about His grace, and about what He has done for them?
Prayer: Dear Lord Jesus, help me to recognize that my baptism has given me gifts that I can share in my daily life. Help me to recognize the opportunities you provide, and to make the most of them. Give me strength and courage to ask for help when I need further equipping. Let my life declare Your grace, which You have given to me through my baptism. Amen.
No comments:
Post a Comment