Journey with me as we reflect on the divine promises of Baptism. How much does a King love His people when He says, “Punish not my people; let me be punished for their sins instead!”

Jesus is the Crucified King who willed to be punished for our sins in order to give all who will believe in Him the gifts of salvation and sanctification. The holy, royal blood of Jesus was shed to redeem us and bless us–His people, His Church, His Bride.

Jesus the High Priest and leader of all Christians calls His Pilgrim Bride to come to Him for renewal and transformation through His infinite and unconditional love and sacrifice.

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.” John 3:16-18

Baptism is the formal beginning of our spiritual journey with Jesus Christ where we are cleansed of our sins, filled with His Holy Spirit and blessed to be His followers.

“And now what are you waiting for? Get up, be baptized and wash your sins away, calling on his name.” JESUS! Acts 22:16

“Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.” Mark 16:16

Recall the Baptism of Jesus

“Now when all the people were baptized, Jesus was also baptized, and while He was praying, heaven was opened, and the Holy Spirit descended upon Him in bodily form like a dove, and a voice came out of heaven, “You are My beloved Son, in You I am well-pleased.” Luke 3:21-22

We are called by Our King Jesus to build His Kingdom on earth. We are His royal subjects born to serve and love Him as we love and serve one another.

How often do you think of the great privilege and honour that has been bestowed upon all of us in Baptism?

When we are baptized as children, our parents promise God to raise us in the faith. Baptism is a life long promise that requires that we keep witnessing to the love of Jesus.

Baptism is an integral part of God’s plan of salvation.

Jesus said, “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28:19-20

Jesus promises to never abandon us. The only thing that can separate us from God is sin. “It’s your sins that have cut you off from God. Because of your sins, he has turned away and will not listen anymore.” Isaiah 59:2

To demonstrate our love to Jesus let us look closely at our lives and repent of our sins and ask for God’s forgiveness.

Hear God saying to you: “I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness. I will build you up again…” Jeremiah 31:3-4

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word is not in us.” 1 John 1:9-10

Faith and spirituality is by its very nature a process that is ongoing. The Christian Faith is a relationship with Jesus where we are continuously transformed by the depth of His love. In this journey we can encounter some setbacks if we give in to temptation and we can also enjoy privileged moments of inspiration where we connect with Jesus in a deeper way through the power of the Holy Spirit.

My prayer for you this very day is that this little reflection will open your heart to one key thought and it is this:

IN BAPTISM WE ARE BAPTIZED INTO THE ROYALTY AND HOLINESS OF JESUS CHRIST

The question we each need to consider is:

ARE WE LIVING A HOLY LIFE?

A holy life is a life lived in harmony with God’s Will where everything gives Him glory.

Let us each ask ourselves:

Are our words and our deeds and our prayers reflective of the great dignity bestowed upon us in Baptism?

Only a dignified life reflects the holiness and royalty of Our Saviour and King Jesus Christ.

Let us each consider the words we speak?

Are they giving glory to Jesus Christ?

Are we guilty of negative sarcasm, gossip or slander? Do our words build people up or put them down?

Would Jesus approve of the things we do and the choices we make?

Even the way we dress should please God. There is a lot of fashion I think Jesus would not approve of because it’s too revealing.

Being a royal, dignified follower of Jesus requires continuous reflection.

For the last decade I have taken time every day to reflect on the Passion of Christ. As I see Our Saviour Jesus Christ being tortured for our salvation I realize how AWESOME GOD IS! As I look into the Crucified face of Jesus I see in His eyes how much He loves us and every day as I take a very solemn and very privileged walk to Calvary, to the place of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, I fall in love, deeply and eternally with Our Lord Jesus.

If you want to conquer temptation, fall in love with Jesus! And if you want to fall in love with Jesus then never let a day go by without remembering the Passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ.

Lose sight of the price of our salvation and you might lose sight of the immensity of Jesus Christ’s love for you.

Don’t let that happen!

Believe in the power of our united prayers. Come and be part of THE MERCY MOVEMENT. We are Christians all over the world that are stopping every day @ the Time Jesus died for us, 3pm, in our local time zones, to remember the Passion of Christ and pray for all souls! Jesus died for all souls. He wants to bring everyone home, to our eternal home, Paradise.

“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.” 1 Peter 2:9