Water Baptism
My mother was always encouraging my siblings and I to keep the faith. She would always remind us who God was, and what God did for us by giving us His one and only son. At every meal or gathering, she never neglected to pray and give thanks. Growing up, she would get us to church every Sunday, no matter how far it was. She is a devout Woman of God, who never wavers from her faith. Back in 2006, my mother asked me if I wanted to get baptized. I knew this was something that I eventually wanted to do, but I always waited because I knew I was living an unholy life. I wanted to be perfect before I gave my life to Christ, or at last more holy than I was unholy. I wanted to be worthy of the baptism, and sure I could go without sinning. I had always heard the phrase, come as you are, but it never quite registered. Finally, I reluctantly agree to the baptism.
I was baptized, along with my sister and her husband, and my brother. We were baptized in a newly built local church, by our uncle, who was the pastor of that church. (This was 4 years before I gave my life to Christ in 2010.) As I stepped in the water, he asked me a few questions. I don't recall exactly what he said, but they were along the lines of, do you believe Christ was born, crucified, and resurrected? Do you receive Jesus as your Savior? I remember saying Yes to all the questions, as I was trying to hold back tears. I was not successful, and a stream of tears began to roll down my cheeks. At that moment, I understood what Jesus' death meant for me, and I received it. I acknowledged my sins, and need to be baptized, and down flowed tears of repentance. It was as if my spirit had been waiting for this moment. After I was baptized, I felt clean. I felt joy, and I felt relief.
At the time of my baptism, my husband and I had been separated, and we were trying to work things out. I believed God used this moment to help me see my need for Christ, and I am glad He did. I was out of my usual environment, and living back with my mother, who was always praying for me. I am thankful to God that my husband had never tried to stop me from believing in God. He was very accepting of my faith and would even attend church with me sometimes. I am also thankful for my mother, and her persistence in prayer and encouragement. I know our decision to be baptized that day made her very happy.
(Eventually, my husband and I got back together, and I was even able to convince my husband to get baptized. Please make sure your husband desires to get baptized, do not convince him like I did. I will talk about this more in another post or Facebook LIVE video).
I had always believed in Jesus Christ, even as a child. However, my life at that time didn't show it. Now looking back, I realized that I didn't have to be perfect to be baptized. God was not looking for perfect; He was looking for repentance--acknowledgement of my need for a Savior. Though I was reluctant, I genuinely and sincerely said yes when my uncle asked me those questions, as I truly believed Jesus died for my sins.
Even after being baptized, nothing outwardly changed. I was still sinful, not living life much differently at all. I maybe had gone to church a few more times, but I didn't feel different on the outside. By myself, I did not have the will power to live a holy life, and I didn't understand the things of God at all. I knew some Bible stories, but I didn't know Jesus, and I didn't have a personal relationship with him. However, I believe in God's perfect timing, and that it all happened the way God wanted it to because He who begins a good work, is faithful to finish it to completion until the coming of Christ (Philippians 1:6).
My encouragement to you is to come as you are. That means that you don't have to be perfect to give your life to Christ. You don't have to perfect to get baptized. If you've acknowledged your need for a Savior, turn to God. He loves us and accepts us for who we are. If we wait until we are perfect to come to Christ, we will never come because we will never be perfect. It is God who changes us, and enables us to live righteously. It is God who gives us the power to say no to sin, and become like Christ. Don't be disappointed if you've been baptized, and are not living a different life to what you were before the baptism (we will cover this more in the next blog post). It is a lifelong process. Don't give up; trust in God!!! Acts 22:16 says what are you waiting for? Get up, be baptized and wash your sins away, calling on his name. You spirit understands God and all the things of God. Seek God and let Him lead you in your journey. It is not too late.
Let us Pray.
Heavenly Father,
Thank you for this message and the work you have done in all of our lives. We give you praise Oh Mighty God. Lord, some of us have accepted you, and some have even gotten baptized, yet our life looks no different than it did before. Some of us have walked away from the faith because we relied on our own willpower to change. Father, it is not Your will that we live this way; however, You are the One who helps us. Please help the outwardly change occur, by working from within. Give us wisdom, knowledge, and understanding, and the desire to read Your Word. Send us brothers and sisters in Christ who can help us along this journey. Lead us to godly sermons and pastors who are grounded in Your Word. You know what we need Lord, and we trust You to provide. Protect the readers from the lies of the enemy, and let the readers no longer feel guilt, shame, and condemnation. Give them courage and boldness to come to You. Show them Your truth. You are forgiving, merciful, full of grace, kind, patient, and loving. All power, dominion, praise, and honor belongs to You. Thank You Father. In Jesus' name, amen.
Prayerfully,
Pam
