Freedom is Good News Part 52

A few weeks ago I experienced the passing of a good friend and brother in Christ.  I felt sadness in my heart.  Not necessarily for the one who died but for the one who was left behind.  Our friend Mary has lost her husband.  And so out from that sadness came three articles on what Paul had to say about rejoicing.  I do hope you enjoyed those three articles because I needed to look at, once again, the reality of rejoicing, even in the face of grief.

This week it’s a different story.  A long time friend will undergo the waters of baptism and begin to turn his life over to the Savior.  Do you know what happens in the heavenly realm when one repents?  “…there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” (Luke 15:10)  I will partake in this upcoming baptism and I will remind the one being baptized, just what is taking place around God’s throne at that moment!  The angels of God are rejoicing!!

But do you know what is interesting about this event?  The bible likens baptism to death!  In Romans 6:1-4 we read, “What shall we say, then?  Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase?  By no means!  We died to sin; how can we live in it any longer?  Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death?  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.”

The difference here is that no one is left behind.  Almost everyone who will witness this event has already experienced the saving grace of Jesus Christ and will rejoice with the angels in heaven.  Another aspect of this “death by baptism” is that our friend will become our brother in the body of Christ.  And thirdly, as Paul says, this sinner will be raised up out of the waters to a new life.  A little later Paul says this, “The death He died (Christ), he died to sin once for all but the life He lives, He lives to God.  In the same way count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus.”  (Rom. 6:10-11)

When I think of “good news” (a.k.a. the gospel) I have to put this upcoming event near the top of things that are worthy of rejoicing over.  There are many nice things in this world that may capture our attention, but this one is unique.  Paul, in his letter to the Colossians 3:1-4 says: “If then you have been raised with Christ seek those things which are above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God.  Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.  For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.  When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you will appear with Him in glory.”  Baptism leads to something more than the empty glory that this world shines in our eyes.  Baptism leads to eternal life and the glory that is beyond our understanding and far beyond any thing this world has to offer.

And that my friends, is true good news!!