Baptism is a physical expression of a change that’s happened in a more unseen way within us.

Scripture is quite clear in its presentation that we must “become” a child of God. John 3:3-7: Jesus insists that we must be “born of water and the Spirit”.

“At that time Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. Just as Jesus was coming up out of the water, he saw heaven being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.” (Mark 1:9-11) In our baptism, we are “born again”, born of “water and the Spirit” and claimed by God as one of His beloved children.

Just as our children’s births were the cause of incredible transformation in our family, the baptism and addition of new people to the church initiates transformation within the church.

According to this Scripture, we are saved through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit – “born of water and the Spirit” – so that we can become heirs of an incredible promise. “If you know that he is righteous, you know that everyone who does what is right has been born of him. See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!” (1 John 2:29 – 3:1)

Baptism is: reflective of the submissive position we must take as we place our faith in Jesus, understanding that it is only by Jesus’ strength that we are raised to new and eternal life. an act of obedience, done in accordance with the commands of Christ. an experience of full immersion in God’s love. an experience of our envelopment in to God’s family.

Sometimes we can feel very unloved and distant from God, less like a child and more like a forgotten acquaintance, can’t we? We expect God’s love to invariably fail us and so, we refuse to fully submit to Him. Can you today, set aside the things you are clinging to, and allow God to drive out fear with His perfect love?

The church is a family, formed out of God’s love; we are brothers and sisters “born of water and the Spirit”. As a family then, the church is to manifest the same kind of love Jesus showed, proving to the world around us that we are followers of Jesus.

May we each know the love of God made available through Jesus; may we submit to God in obedience and fully open ourselves to His embrace. May we each know our place in God’s family; our identity as a beloved child of God. May we as a church begin to act more like a family and less like a group of loosely affiliated acquaintances. May the love we share with each attract the attention of the community around us and may our love for each other spill out from this place.