LifeLink Devotions

Monday, October 2, 2023

One of my most treasured memories of pastoral ministry is outdoor baptisms. I recall one Saturday afternoon standing on the banks of the Chippewa River with three people who were prepared to declare the joy of their salvation. Each testimony of salvation was unique and deeply moving as one by one they spoke to us the words of faith in Jesus Christ as the only hope for man’s soul. There were tears in their eyes as there were in the eyes of the audience that stood with them.

Each one then came down into the river with me, and a declaration of truth was made over their lives as they prepared to be immersed under the water. “This baptism does not save you. This water cannot wash away your sins. No act of man can, except the act of death on a cross by the Son of Man. This baptism is a public testimony of your faith in the saving power of Jesus Christ, who was buried in sin yet conquered the grave by being raised from the dead. This step of obedience to your Savior begins a life of power in the Holy Spirit to be a public witness for Jesus. You are declaring today that the old life of sin has been buried with Christ, and that you are now raised to new life in the risen Lord.”

Then, with their arms folded in front of them, in a symbolic act of surrendering their lives to Jesus, they completely surrendered their strength to me to bury them under the water and bring them back up again. As they were leaned backwards into the water, the words of Scripture were spoken over them: “You are buried with Christ in the likeness of His death.” Complete immersion representing complete burial of the old life. Then, as they were raised up out of the water, more Scripture was spoken: “So you are raised to newness of life.” Up from the symbolic grave of sin and death they arose to live for the rest of their lives as representatives of Jesus Christ.

I NEVER grow tired of seeing people make a public commitment to follow Jesus. They know they are not worthy. They know that they were in sin destined for eternal death. Yet without money or works of any kind, they were redeemed by the blood of Jesus Christ on the cross. Jesus is the full purchase price for the sin of man and is the only payment acceptable by the Father – Jehovah God. There is nothing we bring to Him as an offering. There is no exchange of anything of value, for we have nothing of value to offer God. In His eternal love for those created in His image but separated from Him by sin, He sent His One and Only Son to pay the price for our sin – death. Then, to validate the payment, God raised Jesus from the dead and sin was conquered for eternity for all who will come to Jesus for salvation.

Isaiah 52:3  “For this is what the LORD says: ‘You were sold for nothing, and without money you will be redeemed.’”

“Oh happy day, happy day, You washed my sin away. Oh happy day, happy day, I’ll never be the same; Forever I am changed.

And it’s FREE!

Never get tired of celebrating your salvation!

Pastor John