Thoughts in Worship

Message Magazine's Online Devotional for Thursday, May 18, 2017

Audio Link:

“And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him: And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” (Matthew 3:16–17).

I’ve got incredible news: you are accepted into the family of God. You please God!

Here’s the thing: most people do not realize how much of a blessing Jesus is to all humanity. As we said the other day, we have all sinned. Without Jesus in our lives, we are doomed to die and stay that way eternally. We are children of darkness. But if we accept His gift of love and power to live righteously, we are welcomed into His family. How?

Picture the scene. Jesus approaches the site where John is baptizing people who believe in God. John sees Him, extols His honor and merits, and reluctantly accepts Jesus’ request for baptism. As Jesus comes up out of the water, the stamp of the Father’s approval and power of the Spirit are manifest for all to witness. Jesus further represents the human race in the courts of heaven. For all who keep faith in Him, Jesus was baptized. This, and all other righteous acts are spiritually transferred to the character accounts of all who believe in Him. We become God’s children when we are baptized by the water and the Spirit. That’s the short version of the story. There’s so much more to say, but I will stop there.

Not only do we become God’s children when we accept Jesus, but the Father rejoices over us as much as He did over Christ, as He announced to everybody He was His Son who pleased the Father well. If you have acceptance issues, banish those thoughts. If those who claim to be friends reject you, your parents threw you away, or the in-crowd locks you out, do not worry. Though they all forsake you, your heavenly Father will never forsake you. Here’s what the Bible says: “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.” (Ephesians 1:3–6).

So, if you want to be accepted into the family of eternal God, accept His invitation through Christ. If you want to please Him, Allow His Spirit to transform your life like refreshing waters cleanse that which was soiled. God loves you. Believe it and ask Him to show you how to love Him in return.—L. David Harris (www.DavidWritesaLot.com)