Baby Patience. On November Twenty-Seventh of Two Thousand and Eleven you received the glory of becoming Baptized as a Christian in your parents' Catholic Religion. I was very happy that I got to play a role in your special day. Your older brother, Cody and older sister, Brittni were very happy about being your God-Parents.
There is a very true meaning of Baptism from a Biblical perspective. Without question, the best explanation comes from Romans. In verse 1, "What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? Certainly not! How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it? Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized to His death? Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been united together in the likeness of His death, certainly we also shall be in the likeness of His resurrection." (Romans 6:1-5).
Paul teaches us that the Christian is supposed to go through a similar experience to what Jesus went through in His death, burial, and resurrection. The difference is that Jesus died physically and actually came back to life, and we're to die to our sin, self, and old ways, and then rise again to live a holy life through the power of Jesus.
Baptism is an outward symbol of an inner change and transformation that is supposed to take place beforehand. It is very important to emphasize the fact that this can only be accomplished through the power and strength of Jesus! It is not that we have completely overcome sin before we can be baptized, but we need to repent of our past since and have our mind made up that we want to overcome sin, as we will allow God to give us the victory.
In the same way that Jesus went down into that grave, we go down into the water of Baptism, which represents our death to sin and the burial of our old life. Sin needs to "die" and "pass away" in our life and Jesus will take its place. This doesn't mean that we'll never sin again, because sin has a way of coming back to life, but it DOES mean, like Paul said, "that we should no longer be slaves of sin" and that we should "reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body, that you should obey it in its lusts."
Sin will no longer dominate or control our lives and we will strive to "be holy even as He is holy" (1 Peter), as the Lord works in us "both to will and to do His good pleasure." (Philippians Two:Thirteen).
Baby Patience always remember we are debtors-not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. (Romans).
Therefore remember to always put to death your members which are on the earth-fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desires, covetousness, greed, envy, pride-which is all idolatry.
Even though baptism is very important it doesn't guarantee anyone a trip to Heaven. Salvation comes only through the death and forgiveness of Jesus Christ and there's nothing we can do to earn it. Always remember that judgment is only given to Jesus Christ; never judge anyone or anything throughout your life. Always remember that apologies are not needed; Jesus Christ never sought out for an apology nor did He give an apology in Scripture.
Oftentimes, the outward act of baptism is emphasized, but it's the inward change that we truly need to focus on. The Bible clearly states that we are saved "not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy. He saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost, which is shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior."
Always remember that our own actions simply cannot bring us salvation. But if we are walking with God and seeking to do His will, then why wouldn't we want to be baptized? Peter tells us that baptism is "an answer of a good conscience towards God" which means that it's what God wants us to do since it's one of the important steps we take in the Christian walk.
God bless
Uncle B
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