Whatever you do, work at it with
all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know
that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward.
Colossians 3:23-24 (NIV)
*** *** *** ***
Healthy families have family pride; members are not
ashamed to be recognized as a part of the family. Sadly, I’ve met many
believers who’ve never publicly identified themselves as Jesus
commanded – by being baptized.
Baptism is not some optional ritual to be delayed or
postponed. It signifies your inclusion in God’s family. It publicly
announces to the world, “I am not ashamed to be a part of God’s
family.”
Jesus commanded this beautiful act for all in his
family: “Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the
name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” (Matthew
28:19 NIV).
For years I wondered why Jesus’ Great Commission
gives the same prominence to baptism as it does to the great tasks of
evangelism and edification. Why is baptism so important? Because it
symbolizes the second purpose of your life: incorporation into the
fellowship of God’s eternal family.
Your baptism declares your faith, shares Christ’s
burial and resurrection, symbolizes your death to your old life, and
announces your new life in Christ. It is also a celebration of your
inclusion in God’s family.
Your baptism is a physical picture of a spiritual
truth. It represents what happened the moment God brought you into his
family: “Some of us are Jews, some are Gentiles, some are slaves, and
some are free. But we have all been baptized into Christ’s body by one
Spirit, and we have all received the same Spirit” (1 Corinthians 12:13
NLT).
Baptism doesn’t make you a member of God’s family;
only faith in Christ does that; baptism shows you are part of God’s
family. Like a wedding ring, it is a visible reminder of an inward
commitment made in your heart.
It is an act of initiation, not something you put off
until you are spiritually mature. The only biblical condition is that
you believe.
The Bible says, “Jesus and the people he makes holy
all belong to the same family. That is why he isn’t ashamed to call
them his brothers and sisters” (Hebrews 2:11 CEV).
Let that amazing truth sink in!
Because Jesus makes you holy, God is proud of you.
Being included in God’s family is the highest honor, the greatest
privilege you and I will ever receive. Nothing else comes close. Why
not pause right now and thank God that he included you?
“Praise God for the privilege of being in Christ’s family and being called by his wonderful name!” (1 Peter 4:16 LB).
