What benefits does baptism give? It works forgiveness of sins, rescues from death and the devil, and gives eternal salvation to all who believer this, as the words and promises of God declare. Which are these words and promises? Christ our Lord says in the last chapter of Mark, "Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned."
Mark 16:16--whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.
Devotion--You have been baptized. The benefits of baptism have been extended to you, and are now yours, the result of your faith in God's action in Jesus and in your baptism. And yet, you may not see the direct result of those benefits in your day to day life.
Do you ever wonder exactly how it can be that God sees you as one who is completely forgiven? Do you ever wonder where the eternal life that you now have is living inside of you? Maybe questions like these have never crossed your mind. After all, spiritual things seem a lot more abstract to see, or to take hold of.
From this standpoint, our baptized life isn't one that is going to be easily discernible as we live our lives. It never is with spiritual things. And yet, Jesus calls His people the salt of the earth, and the light of the world. In some ways, it would seem, even these spiritual realities will shine through in our lives.
How do the people around you "see" that you are a baptized child of God? Do you believe that there are even ways that other people can "see" that hidden reality? If you were to show someone that you were baptized without being able to directly say it to them, how would you go about revealing your baptism?
Prayer--Dear Lord God, You have made me Your own through the waters of baptism. Even though the benefits of baptism are spiritual, I ask that You would help me to live in such a way that I demonstrate to others that I am Your own child, baptized into Your holy name. Amen.
Mark 16:16--whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.
Devotion--You have been baptized. The benefits of baptism have been extended to you, and are now yours, the result of your faith in God's action in Jesus and in your baptism. And yet, you may not see the direct result of those benefits in your day to day life.
Do you ever wonder exactly how it can be that God sees you as one who is completely forgiven? Do you ever wonder where the eternal life that you now have is living inside of you? Maybe questions like these have never crossed your mind. After all, spiritual things seem a lot more abstract to see, or to take hold of.
From this standpoint, our baptized life isn't one that is going to be easily discernible as we live our lives. It never is with spiritual things. And yet, Jesus calls His people the salt of the earth, and the light of the world. In some ways, it would seem, even these spiritual realities will shine through in our lives.
How do the people around you "see" that you are a baptized child of God? Do you believe that there are even ways that other people can "see" that hidden reality? If you were to show someone that you were baptized without being able to directly say it to them, how would you go about revealing your baptism?
Prayer--Dear Lord God, You have made me Your own through the waters of baptism. Even though the benefits of baptism are spiritual, I ask that You would help me to live in such a way that I demonstrate to others that I am Your own child, baptized into Your holy name. Amen.
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