Chapter 2 of Colossians is the one that explains what happens when we follow the Lord in the waters of baptism. Our hearts are "circumcised" - our sinful nature is cut away from our hearts and we are set free to follow him as a new creation - filled with the life and power of God, who raised Christ from the dead. We have victory over sin because of the cross - Jesus paid for that sin and we are now free to walk with Him and in Him. Wow, sounds great - so why do we still deal with sin in our lives even though we have been baptized??? The answer is, we shouldn't if we really believe that we have reaceived all He has promised in those waters. Our problem is that we don't believe so we don't receive. This chapter goes on to say we let people condemn us and we begin to follow their rules instead of God's. Look at verse 20 "You have died with Christ, and he has set your free, from the spiritual powers of this world. So why do you keep on following the rules of the world, such as don't do this and don't do that?" I think we let people guide us instead of the Holy Spirit. The way we live our lives is important but it has to be for the right reason. We live in freedom from sin to follow the Lord. If we really believe we are free then we have to walk in that freedom. Easier said than done??? Don't make it so hard - just believe and receive. Accept the gift of salvation like child accepts a gift. No questions asked, just receive and believe it is for your good.
I meet so many people who say "I'm not ready for baptism or I'm not ready to give my life to God." I ask them why and they say "because I know I will have to change the way I am living right now." So I ask them what will they have to change and the answers very but most of the time they talk about not wanting to quit smoking yet or listening to the wrong music or watching the wrong kind of TV, etc. Funny, but they know these things aren't good and they produce bad fruit in their lives, but they aren't ready to "be free" from those things and just live a great, clean life for God!!! We will choose bondage over freedom. Why? Because we are comfortable and we don't like a challange or change. Well, God is calling you into freedom - receive it, believe it and walk in it. It's great!!! Freedom from fear - trust in God! What is the cost? Just give up worrying! Trust!
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“Let your roots grow down into Him and draw up nourishment from him, so you will grow in faith, strong and vigorous in the truth you were taught.” (Verse 7) Some trees have only shallow roots with no tap root whither during the dry times and fall over when strong winds come. But strong trees have a root system that is as deep and wide as the tree is tall and wide. Watering transplanted trees requires deep watering, without drowning the tree, not shallow surface watering. By doing so, the tree develops deep roots giving the tree the ability to tap into water deep down during times of draught, as well as a strong anchor during wind and storms...like yesterday’s winds!!! The same is true for us. We cannot just “surface water” our spiritual growth, i.e. only coming to Sunday service – that’s a good start. However, we need to read and study the Word of God and spend time in fellowship with God daily so we can be watered and washed by the Word of God, bringing nourishment and growth, allowing God and His Word to anchor our life.
Remember the pictures in biology or science classes of the muscles of the human body? The muscles hold our frame together. Verse 19 says, “For we are joined together in his body, by his strong sinews, and we grow only as we get our nourishment and strength from God.” (Verse 19) We are part of His body and are joined together like the muscles. He is our strength. Apart from God and His Word, we are weaklings.
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