“He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved, but he that believeth not shall be damned.” Mark 16:16. This is one of the most well known verses in the Bible, at least within the Church of Christ. This is an extraordinarily simple and powerful statement from Christ. It leaves absolutely no room for questions or doubt, no supposition or bending of the rules. This passage clearly tells us exactly what we must do to be saved from certain damnation. In chapter 6 of Romans we are told that we are buried with Christ through baptism and raised by the glory of the Father even so we should walk in newness of life.
These verses, along with many others, illustrate the requirement of believing in Christ and being baptized. The other side of this coin is also made quite clear. “The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Rom 6:23 Of course there are many other examples of the bleak future of a sinner. Things such as, weeping and gnashing of teeth, eternal fire, lake of fire burning with brimstone… These things are the reward given unto those who don’t take the first step of baptism. By the way this isn’t a 10, 20 or even 99 year sentence. It’s for all eternity, which Webster defines as time without end. So, with these examples we know we have a choice to make. Seems like a pretty clear and easy choice. With that said I ask, what are you waiting for?
I’m nearly 27 years old. I grew up in a family that has been part of the congregation at Melissa, TX for many decades. My family and congregation have always been devoted to the word and commandments given to us in the Bible. They have all striven daily to lead as righteous a life as possible and to live in a way that is pleasing to God. This being said, most people looking at my age, would probably assume I’ve been a member of the Church for 10 or even 15 years. I’m saddened to say this is not the case. I was baptized only a month ago. The question many would ask, the same question that I’ve been asking since my baptism, is “What was I waiting for”. I’ve come to realize that the answer to this question is extremely simple and obvious. I was in the same boat as the rich man Jesus spoke with in Matt 19:20. Though riches weren’t the worldly thing that I clung to it was much the same for me. I clung to my sinful lifestyle. I knew the word and the requirements, and I even believed them, but I was too stubborn and weak to take heed and change.
The solution to my problem is given in many places and in many ways, one being “Wherefore if thy hand or thy foot offend thee, cut them off and cast them from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life halt of maimed, rather than having two hands and two feet to be cast into everlasting fire.” Matt 18:8 I take this to mean, if some aspect of your life is holding you back cast off this aspect. I know that the life I was leading, the things that I found “enjoyable” were leading me down the road to Hell. Therefore I have cut off and cast away the hand that offended me. And what’s more, by doing away with these things, and surrounding myself with my Christian family, my life is much more enjoyable. I’ve found that the things that lead down the wrong road aren’t all that great anyway, whereas the love of family and my congregation are the best experience of my life. I’ve also come to realize that the reason for this is simple. These things are only possible because of the love of God and through the ministry and sacrifice of Christ. Without that we have nothing. So, by being baptized and starting down the road to Heaven, we give up nothing and stand to gain everything. Now I ask, what are you waiting for?
Christ said “Watch ye therefore: for ye know not when the master of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at the cockcrowing, or in the morning: Lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping.” Mark 13:35-36 I slept for a long time. Years past that which my alarm clock started buzzing. I knew the ramifications of my actions and the consequences that would have come, had the master of the house returned to find me sleeping. I thank God that I woke in time. It’s a terrible thought that I still often have... “had the master returned or had I died before I was baptized, my fate would have been sealed. I would have had a one way ticket to Hell.” This isn’t to say that I automatically received a one way ticket to heaven by being baptized. Baptism is the beginning of the road to heaven. There are many off ramps and many distractions from Satan that seek to lure us off this road. “See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, redeeming the time because the days are evil.” Eph 5:15-16 We know that we must be wary of all evil around us, lest we lose our way. The message I intend to convey is this: nothing in the world is worth our immortal soul. The steps required to reach Heaven are simple and quite enjoyable, but time is fleeting and our chances to take these steps are numbered. So I leave you with one simple question. What are you waiting for? “And behold I come quickly; and my reward with me, to give every man according to his work shall be.” Rev 22:12. Don’t be caught sleeping, when the master of the house returns with his reward because you won’t like the place where you wake up.
307 Worley Ave Blue Ridge, TX 75424
