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Thursday, June 19,
2008
A
Permanent Change
Romans 6:4-7 Therefore we are
buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up
from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in
newness of life. (5) For if we have been planted together in the likeness
of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: (6) Knowing
this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be
destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. (7) For he that is dead
is freed from sin. (KJV)
When our Lord does something
or asks something of us it is for our benefit, a change that will be long
lasting. While mankind and their doctrines fall short and bring short term
solutions to eternal issues. Like for instance the old law, it could never
take away sin but rather just covered it up, like a cheap deodorant. The
living waters cleanse us from all sin, doesn’t just cover it up, but rather
it cleans it up and removes it from us. So which realm are walking in today
and which law do you hold to; a spiritual law of faith that brings new life
to the believer or the letter of the old law which is dead and keeps those
that are following it dead as well?
Acts 1:4-5 And, being
assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart
from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye
have heard of me. (5) For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be
baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence. (KJV)
John the Baptist was
considered one of the greatest prophets, yet he was still under the old law
and limited by the carnal rituals of it. Even though our Lord separates the
two baptisms in the above verses, encouraging the disciples that a better
one was on the way, I am amazed today at how many grasp and cling to the
old rather than take hold of the new life that is available in Christ. Here
is a tidbit and something to chew on; you know if you hold someone under
water long enough it cuts off the source of life and results in physical
death. Now if we take a different look at baptism from a spiritual aspect
we can see a similar pattern, if one immerses themselves in the living
spiritual waters, which is what baptism truly means and what Paul is
teaching, then that too will result in death to an area of our flesh that
has been hindering our walk with the Lord. Could it really be that simple
people; when you really stop and pray and ask the Lord, you may find out
that mankind and his limited carnal thinking is the one that made it so
complicated and confusing. The Lord made His word simple, so simple in fact
that man doesn’t comprehend it, they distort the scriptures to make it fit
into their way of thinking. The Lord said the words that He spoke are Spirit
and they are life. So are you able to see the spiritual meaning of the word
of God that will bring new life within you or are you like so many that
hold to outward dead rituals which end up watering down the true meaning?
Hebrews 9:8-14 The Holy Ghost
this signifying, that the way into the holiest of all was not yet made
manifest, while as the first tabernacle was yet standing: (9) Which was a
figure for the time then present, in which were offered both gifts and
sacrifices, that could not make him that did the service perfect, as
pertaining to the conscience; (10) Which stood only in meats and drinks,
and divers washings, and carnal ordinances, imposed on them until the time
of reformation. (11) But Christ being come an high priest of good things to
come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that
is to say, not of this building; (12) Neither by the blood of goats and
calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having
obtained eternal redemption for us. (13) For if the blood of bulls and of
goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to
the purifying of the flesh: (14) How much more shall the blood of Christ,
who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge
your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? (KJV)
If you so desire you can go
back to the beginning of Hebrews Chapter 9 and read it in its entirety, I
just wanted to highlight a few points today. The things in the Old Testament
were a figure, a representation or symbol of something new that would take
place in the spiritual realm. The question being asked today is ‘have you
taken your place where you belong which is in the Spirit as well so that
you can see the true meaning and intent of the word of God for yourself’?
It’s just as idiotic to think that the blood of goats and of calves, or any
other ritual from the old law is going to bring you any closer to the Lord
than what the blood of Christ has done to make a permanent way into His
realm. And it is just as much of a waste of time, let alone missing the
mark and the true meaning of God’s word, to think that pouring water or
dunking someone in it is going to make one more spiritual when verse 10
says these things were imposed until the time of reformation, a time that
ended once the Lord paid the price for His people. You want the old law,
then why stop at water baptism, how about building alters in your back yard
and offering sacrifices? Oh guys, instead of a super bowl party how about a
circumcision one instead? Hey wait a minute, where are you guys going?
Sound silly and ridiculous? Not anymore ridiculous than way you try to
serve a spiritual God with carnal ordinances. Since when do you get to pick
and choose which ones you are going to institute? You want to purge a
conscience from dead works, then you best get some living waters in there
if you wish to achieve this, otherwise you are just all wet.
--Bible Study Magazine,
James Montgomery Boice (May, 1989)
907 baptizo- to overwhelm Not to be confused
with 0911, bapto. The clearest example that shows the meaning of baptizo is
a text from the Greek poet and physician Nicander, who lived about 200 B.
C. It is a recipe for making pickles and is helpful because it uses both
words. Nicander says that in order to make a pickle, the vegetable should
first be `dipped' (bapto) into boiling water and then `baptized' (baptizo)
in the vinegar solution. Both verbs concern the immersing of vegetables in
a solution. But the first is temporary. The second, the act of baptizing
the vegetable, produces a permanent change. When used in the New Testament,
this word more often refers to our union and identification with Christ
than to our water baptism. For example, Mark 16:16. `He that believes and
is baptized shall be saved'. Christ is saying that mere intellectual assent
is not enough. There must be a union with him, a real change, like the
vegetable to the pickle!
Take some time and pray about
where you truly stand with the Lord, or should I say if you are truly
standing with Him. The things of this realm are referred to as temporal,
temporary, while the things of God are referred to as eternal. If you
desire a change, to walk in a new life which is in Christ, then you will
need to operate in the realm of the Spirit in order to make the permanent
change. Get out of the old people and get into the new. God bless and keep
the faith.
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