Baptized Into His Death and Resurrection

Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Romans 6:3.
Those who have taken part in the solemn rite of baptism have pledged themselves to seek for those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God; pledged themselves to labor earnestly for the salvation of sinners. God asks those who take His name, How are you using the powers that have been redeemed by the death of My Son? Are you doing all in your power to rise to a greater height in spiritual understanding? Are you adjusting your interest and actions in harmony with the momentous claims of eternity?
Baptism is a most solemn renunciation of the world. Self is by profession dead to a life of sin. The waters cover the candidate, and in the presence of the whole heavenly universe the mutual pledge is made. In the name of the Father, and Son, and the Holy Spirit, man is laid in his watery grave, buried with Christ in baptism, and raised from the water to live the new life of loyalty to God. The three great powers in heaven are witnesses; they are invisible but present.
We have died to the world.… We have been buried in the likeness of Christ’s death and raised in the likeness of His resurrection, and we are to live a new life. Our life is to be bound up with the life of Christ.
In the first chapter of Second Peter is presented the progressive work in the Christian life. The whole chapter is a lesson of deep importance. If man, in acquiring the Christian graces, works on the plan of addition, God has pledged Himself to work in his behalf upon the plan of multiplication. “Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord.” 2 Peter 1:2. The work is laid out before every soul that has acknowledged his faith in Jesus Christ by baptism.
If we are true to our vow, there is opened to us a door of communication with heaven—a door that no human hand or satanic agency can close.
The Faith I Live By p. 146
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Prayer Requests
—- in less than 2 weeks from today I will be traveling for about 7 to 9 hours across states to move to a new location. Please pray Divine protection throughout this journey. Please pray for Divine favor for me and that He will open doors for me and that His will be done in every aspect of my life. Michelle
—-Please pray for Brian, Esther, and the children as they continue driving cross country to visit his family. Pray that God will send His angels to protect and give them a happy journey. Rose
—-an urgent request for our support regarding Leon. The newborn came in this world this morning weighing just 1 lb 2 oz. Doctors says his brain is bleeding and they’re trying to keep him stable. Jenny
—-Asking for prayers for my son’s Father in law, his name is Bennie. He is the kindest man. He has some serious heart and kidney problems. He’s very short of breath and weak. Please pray for healing and that if its God’s will he can live longer to be able to see his first grandchild. Thank you, Becky
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Dear Friends,
Before I retired, I parked about three blocks from work. Not only did I need the exercise, but I didn’t want to pay for parking. As I was walking to the car one winter day, I happened to notice a warmth that surprised me. I stopped to see the source. As I looked around I saw that a brick building was radiating the heat from the sun which had been shining on it earlier in the day. As long as I was beside those warm bricks, I felt warm. That building seemed to chase away the winter’s chilliness.
Just as that brick wall reflected the sun’s heat even after the sun was low in the western sky, so we may reflect Jesus to those we meet if we have the love of Jesus shining in our heart. Do our family, our friends, our work associates, even the strangers we meet for one brief moment see Jesus’ loving character shining through us?
We may receive this precious gift by constantly beholding “Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.” John 1:9 As we behold His great love and sacrifice for us, our heart is filled with love and gratitude to the One Who loves us so. We “are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.” 2 Cor 3:18 Our Dear Saviour tells us, “Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” Matt 5:14-16 “Take heed therefore that the light which is in thee be not darkness. If thy whole body therefore be full of light, having no part dark, the whole shall be full of light, as when the bright shining of a candle doth give thee light.” Luke 11:35,36 Daniel prophesies, “they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever.” Dan 12:3 Solomon exclaims, “the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day. The way of the wicked is as darkness: they know not at what they stumble.” Prov 4:18,19
May we daily reflect the warmth of Jesus’ love as we behold Him in His Holy Word is my prayer.
Rose