Baptism: Water AND Spirit

"... for John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.” (Acts 1:5)

Sometimes, it feels as though you can never be clean, doesn't it? 

I spent some time looking at this verse, trying to figure it out. We know that John baptized with water -- Jesus says "Truly baptized," which I take to mean John's baptism was right before God, and truly signified cleanliness before God. So why does Jesus make the distinction?

I think this goes back to the beginning. Genesis 2:7 says

And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being.

We are both physical and spiritual beings. God first formed man's physical body, and then breathed His own breath to give him life. So while it makes sense that baptism -- the washing with water -- symbolizes the cleansing of our physical sin, this second baptism carries it a step further. 

When we sin, we sin in the flesh. This point is made in the New Testament on several occasions. And so a physical baptism of water cleanses that sinful flesh. Yet, Jesus also makes the point that sin begins in the heart. 

 “You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder, and whoever murders will be in danger of the judgment.’ But I say to you that whoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment. And whoever says to his brother, ‘Raca!’ shall be in danger of the council. But whoever says, ‘You fool!’ shall be in danger of hell fire....  

“You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart. (Matthew 5:21-22, 27-28)

In other words, it's not enough to be clean on the outside. Instead, Jesus gives us His spirit -- not only to empower us to do His work, but to sanctify us and make us clean before Him. As Paul says in Romans 12:2

And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. 

 Thank God for baptism of both water and spirit. Thank Him that, no matter the strength of our own sin, He can wash it away, from the inside out!

Christians and Sponge Cake

I love sponge cake. Well, I love all cake. But I do like sponge cake a lot. One of the things I like most is how it absorbs the flavor of whatever you put on it, making it something entirely new. Strawberries, for example. Make a strawberry shortcake, with a nice strawberry sauce and whipped cream, and watch as your sponge cake turns red as it soaks in all that flavor.

Man. Now I want strawberry sponge cake.

But there's a point to this. Just as a sponge cake absorbs that flavor and becomes a new treat (and let's face it... as delicious as it is alone, it is a bit plain), people too absorb what's around them. We soak in the flavor of those with whom we surround ourselves. We begin to reflect the culture around us.

Maybe that's why Proverbs 13:20 says "He who walks with wise men will be wise, But the companion of fools will be destroyed."

We are not unchanged, unaffected, by the people around us. We are changed, for the better or worse. This is doubly so when it comes to our spiritual lives. A life touched by Christ cannot be unchanged; we must allow ourselves to soak in His influence through the Spirit, being renewed and changed into something new.

And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. (Romans 12:2)

How are you flavoring your life? With the love and fellowship of fellow believers, learning and growing in Christ? With the renewal of your mind by the movement of the Spirit of God within you? Or by the foolish ways of this world?

Spring Cleaning For The Soul

This week begins Lent, a time of celebration and renewal before we remember the death and resurrection of Christ. Today and tomorrow -- the two days before Ash Wednesday -- are Shrovetide. A time to cleanse the soul. Today, Shrove Monday, particular traditions will enjoy a breakfast of bacon and eggs, maybe clean the house, and meditate on a renewed spirit.

Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. (Romans 12:1-2)

The truth is, we don't need to wait for a particular time of year to renew our minds and souls. In fact, it is an ongoing, daily process. And we don't do it ourselves, but through God's mercy, and by His renewing of our minds. 

Our God is a transformational God. He doesn't simply come in, say you're forgiven, tell you to "go and sin no more," and be on His way. Instead, He gives us a Counselor, in the form of the Holy Spirit, to guide us onto a right path. You and I cannot simply cleanse ourselves once a year and go on with our lives. If we have been truly saved -- if we have truly received the gift of God's Spirit -- we allow Him to change us daily, and to make us into His perfect image.