Baptism of repentance, being fully immersed in repentance, is how God prepares us for his blessings. The gospel begins at repentance. Release from our own past begins at repentance.John refused to baptize those who came to him saying the right things, looking to the ceremony, if their heart was not already immersed in repentance. It's not the water that changes us, it's the repentance deep inside that does. The water is but a celebration of what already is, an outward statement of an inward victory.
Ultimately, it was those who wanted baptism without true repentance that ended up betraying Jesus. Religion without a heart of repentance turns against God and becomes sin. It is the repentance, that groaning realization and drive deep within our soul, that allows God to bless us. The honesty of our own sinful nature, turning from all that was, all of it... is what allows Jesus' sacrifice to be applied to our past to bring us a new future.
Repentance brings life, opens the door to peace, and through Jesus blood... Washes us clean from our own past.
To hear the words of God, the voice that spoke the entire universe into existence, the voice that makes demons tremble but the storm calms, to "walk and talk with Him in the garden alone", this is the meaning of life. More valuable than the food the sustains life are the words that gave life.
Being alone with our creator, listening, learning, honoring His unspeakable glory should be every Christian's driving force. Prayer time, scripture study alone with the author Himself, being in God's presence is how we find peace and joy in life. The voice that calmed the storm calms our heart when we seek him alone.
Let nothing take priority over time in his presence, listening, being loved. Let nothing interfere, nothing interrupt, for it is that time alone in God's presence that defines life.
The entire town came, after just one day! The entire town. No advertising, no fancy buildings, no marketing, no entertainment, no membership drives, not even so much as an invite! Yet the entire town came in one day.Why? Because Jesus spoke in authority, walked in power and touched people where they needed it most. He met their needs, not their wants. That's the mission of the church... To meet needs by walking in power.Nothing else is necessary if there is power to meet needs.
