Obeying God’s Word Led To His Forgiveness

Not everyone grows with God at the same time! I love the when in Matthew 20:1-16 God explained that some come to Christ earlier than others as He gives example of the Vineyard owner (God) hiring workers periodically throughout the day and giving all the same pay at the end of the day.

Some seek Him and find Him earlier in life than others. Some are last minute and some don’t find Him at all. The more I searched for Christ, I was awakened to the diversity of how others felt about my questioning and changes in thought.

I, like most who come to see His word for what it is, had a passion that I could hardly control! I was what many would say as being on fire for the Lord. Another said my heart was pricked through. I knew I had been onto something and like a treasure, I found Him! My excitement was almost uncontrollable.

I knew in my heart I had to do something! I wanted to share with whoever I spoke with so they would see what I had been searching for a long time. I learned real quick that enthusiasm had to be tamed. So many claimed they loved the Lord, but some would turn their backs and say hateful things to me. I realized quickly how much love for Christ was just a facade for some. Just because others seek stronger and love Him, if it’s not their way, it’s not ok. Sad really!

God allowed me to see what my heart had been looking for. I had an immediate sense of guilt for all the stupid things done as a teenager, for all the things I did out of selfishness, and all the things I said or thought! My guilt was a little overwhelming! I made phone calls and apologized to some. I sent letters and made atonement for my wrong doing.

But how in the world could God forgive a measly ole me? I didn’t do too many bad things like murder or such, but still, I was convicted for what sin I did commit! After I tried to make amends, I felt I should be doing more. Just saying sorry or making things right did not seem right with my relationship to a God.

All He had done for me and I deserved Him? How in the world can God forgive so many? I knew what I had to do! My husband did not understand the severity of my heart and on the day our kids decided to be baptized, he did not even go. I could only pray that what I was experiencing that he too one day would!

In about 20 or more Bible verses, God mentions to baptized for the forgiveness of your sins. In 1 John 1:19, He says, “ If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” Hebrews 10:22 says, “…let us draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.”

Yes! I knew what I was experiencing was nothing more than God at work in my heart! I had to make it right! In John 3:3, Jesus Himself says,”Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.” He further explains that this is a being born of the water and the Spirit.

As soon as Jesus came out of the water from His baptism, God was well pleased and said so! Colossians 2:12 says, “…having been buried with Him in baptism, in which you were also raised with Him through your faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead.” Buried! Not sprinkled. When He came out of the water, not sprinkled. Not a washing of dirt from the body, but a washing of the soul.

I rehearsed and went over and over my past and anything I could think of that I did wrong. I had been going to this Church of Christ and told the preacher I wanted to be baptized! Our daughter approached me before I did and she wanted to as well! She had been reading on her own, as she loves reading and writing.

She knew what God wanted of her too! The day of the Baptisms, myself and the two kids were all Baptized at the same time! We heard God talk to us from past years and He spoke by allowing us to understand. We accepted Christ and after walking up out of the water, I can only tell you that I felt pure!

He said to be Baptized for the forgiveness of sin and I can’t explain the feelings that washed over me! I cried, but it was a laughing cry! It was a total relief! There was such a warm peaceful feeling that my heart felt! Obeying God led us to the heart of Christ, I only wish I had put more emphasis on Christ than I had before!