How Do We Know Where to Begin?
Our journey through the Holy Land with Jesus continues. Over the past couple of weeks, we discussed who Jesus is and His transfiguration.
Today we find ourselves on the bank of the Jordan River. This is an important place historically. It is the river that Israel crossed to enter the land God had given them. It’s also the place where Jesus was baptized, where Heaven opened up, the Holy Spirit came down and rested on Him, and God said, “This is my Son whom I dearly love, and am well pleased.”
This left no doubt about who Jesus was.
Transformation is a thorough or dramatic change in form or appearance. Baptism is a transformative action. In Romans 12:2, we are called to not conform to the world, but be transformed by the renewing of our minds so we can determine what God’s will is.
Consecration is a commitment of our lives and our time to a specific purpose, service, or goal. It is the act of being set apart and dedicated to God. This is what Jesus did at the river when He was baptized. Consecration is surrender.
This is what Jesus did. He surrendered for you and for me.
We spend so much time and energy trying to earn our own way to Heaven. But we don’t have to work our way in. Jesus has already done the work for us.
Because of what He did, all we have to do is accept this gift.
Working FOR approval is SLAVERY.
Working FROM approval is FREEDOM
Our journey to heaven begins with accepting the gift and then committing ourselves to being dedicated to God.