Baptized for the Dead

In a famous picture painted by Michelangelo on the Sistine Chapel in Rome there is a depiction of God reaching out His finger to touch the reclining form of Adam. The first man also holds his hand outstretched towards God. It is a famous picture and for many it is a powerful representation of God's creative and connecting power with humanity. The picture is quite dramatic, but does God always touch us in this fashion. In describing the power of God's touch Jesus says "The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit." John 3:8 This is a more subtle representation of God's touch. But it is no less powerful. In fact the creative power demonstrated by God's restorative power in reclaiming the life of the soul is just as much a testimony to his omnipotence. But it is perhaps this method of interaction that speaks more to God's desire to love each member...

We stand on the shoulders of giants, but we forget to kneel in the shadow of humble servants. How many of us have forgotten the lowly and humble of heart in our lives? There have always been people that walk the earth with modesty. Do we know these people? Do we strive to emulate the simple stories that are woven through our lives and the history of God's people. Growing up I was often attracted to characters in the bible like Moses, Samson and David. Their gallant leadership or their amazing abilities spoke to my childlike wonder. But I am afraid that I did not see their true greatness. Moses was called the meekest man on earth. Samson, while proud in the prime of his life surrendered himself ultimately in humility. David was a conqueror of giants and tens of thousands of Philistine enemies, yet God calls him a man after his own heart. In retrospection perhaps David was given this title because of his compassion and humility as he sought not to elevate his own interests, but wait ...

For those of us who actually attempt to let go of worldly interests there is often an attempt to stand alone amongst life's difficulties. However we do not have the power alone to resist the devil. Our constant source of strength must be the Lord. In the same way that Christ did not rely on his own strength but surrendered to the Father so too we must make a complete surrender to Christ. It is his choices to do right that will enable us to overcome. Literally the old self must die and the new creation born of God must be allowed to live without the fetters of the habits that we have nourished. God gives us a new nature when we surrender to him, but the habits formed in our old life are still there. God does not take away the tendency to sin, because in this life he cannot. Yet we can resist sin through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. By allowing the Holy Spirit to keep alive the new nature that was given to us when we first believed we can put to death the habits that are left o...