Please Bury Me!

A dear friend whose life changed remarkably after we baptized him told me months later, “I left the old me at the bottom of the pool. I hated that person.”

Baptism really is a death, burial and resurrection. What we are saying when we choose to be baptized is, “I’m tired of living for myself. I’m dying to let Christ live in me. Please bury me!”

“We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.” Romans 6:4

As powerful as baptism can be, there is nothing holy or magical about the baptismal water. If it was, we could just spray everyone down with it and live in a perfect world. Wouldn’t that be wonderful?

The power to live a new life is not found in the water. The power is in the person of the Holy Spirit. “I baptize you with water for repentance, but he who is coming after me, is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.” Matthew 3:11.

This verse says it best.

“Walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.“ Galatians‬ ‭5‬:‭16‬ ‭

Did you catch that? When the Holy Spirit is in control, it is impossible to be controlled by sin. The two are incompatible! The key is letting Him have control.

Do you long like me to walk in the power of the Holy Spirit, always hearing His voice, continually being led by Him to love others like Christ loves us?

If so, it will mean being best friends with the Holy Spirit. It will mean saying “yes” to His promptings and “no” to your selfish desires. Will it hurt? Yes. Dying does. The good news is that by dying you will truly live. A life more abundant!

“You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you.” Acts 1:8

“If you cling to your life, you will lose it; but if you give up your life for me, you will find it.” Matthew 10:39