New Creations in Christ

Psalm 51:1 & 17
Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love;
according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions…
The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart.

Watching people publicly throw off their old life and lay all that they are at the feet of Jesus is an awesome sight to behold.  Baptism never ceases to grab hold of my heart and remind me of the sacrifice Christ made for us on the cross.  My heart is filled to overflowing as His love trickles over from the washing and cleansing of other souls.  Baptism seems to be as much for the body of Christ in witness, as it is for the believer in proclamation.

Psalm 51:2
Wash away all my iniquity
and cleanse me from my sin.

One little boy grabbed the mike to introduce himself, he couldn’t have been more than six years old.  He told those gathered there that he wants to live for Jesus, and then live with Him in heaven.  Faith… Sweet, beautiful faith, coupled with wisdom, clarity, and boldness that only the Spirit can provide.

Psalm 51:6
Surely you desire truth in the inner parts;
you teach me wisdom in the inmost place.

A man, still in his Sunday best, stepped into the pool with his young daughter and lovingly held her as she was baptized… Then, he too gave himself away for the grace of the cross.  Joy flooded his drenched face as he was brought up from the water.  Tears flowed from the eyes of other believers with whispers of, “Yes Jesus,” and, “Thank you Jesus.”  Then all broke into cheers and applause as they welcomed him into the family of God.

Psalm 51:7-9

Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean;
wash me, and I will be whiter than snow. 

Let me hear joy and gladness;
let the bones you have crushed rejoice.
Hide your face from my sins and blot out all my iniquity.

This man had been saved that very day, being born again through repentance and faith.  Then he publicly professed his new faith through a brief testimony and baptism, soaking his “dry clean only” clothes in front of complete strangers without a second thought.  The overwhelming love of Christ that was poured out on Him through the Holy Spirit became his focus and direction while he simultaneously became a new creation, throwing off the old life and entering the new.

Psalm 51:14-15
Save me from bloodguilt,
O God, the God who saves me,
and my tongue will sing of your righteousness.
O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth will declare your praise.

Isn’t God amazing?!  Isn’t He good?!  Even more, He blessed those there with the privilege of witnessing such a gift, such love, and change in the lives and hearts of new brothers and sisters that only He is capable of! Hallelujah!

Psalm 51: 10-12
Create in me a pure heart, O God,
and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
Do not cast me from your presence
or take your Holy Spirit from me.
Restore to me the joy of your salvation
and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.

I am reminded of those beautiful words penned by Frances R. Havergal ~

“Take my life, and let it be consecrated, Lord, to Thee.
Take my moments and my days; let them flow in ceaseless praise.
Take my hands, and let them move at the impulse of Thy love.
Take my feet, and let them be swift and beautiful for Thee.
Take my voice, and let me sing always, only, for my King.
Take my lips, and let them be filled with messages from Thee.
Take my silver and my gold; not a mite would I withhold.
Take my intellect, and use every power as Thou shalt choose.
Take my will, and make it Thine; it shall be no longer mine.
Take my heart, it is Thine own; it shall be Thy royal throne.
Take my love, my Lord, I pour at Thy feet its treasure store.
Take myself, and I will be ever, only, all for Thee.”

May your heart be renewed today in the height, depth, and breadth of God’s love for you.  He is ABLE!

All Bible references taken from the New International Version.

Photography by Samantha Rigelsky

{Originally published 4/2012}

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