WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 17
Luke 3:15-22
Romans 8:1-9

“…Now if any man have not the
Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.”

THE BAPTISM OF JESUS

John the Baptist was aware of who Jesus was -- the Almighty God. John knew his mission was in relation to Jesus. He humbled himself and acknowledged that he was unworthy even to unloose Jesus’ shoe latchet. John warned the people of their sins according to what he saw externally but Jesus would come to judge even the unseen imagination and wickedness of their hearts. “And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell” (Matt 10:28).

Jesus baptizes with the Holy Ghost. He sends the third person of the Trinity as a seal of His saving act. The seal of a person’s salvation is the Holy Spirit. “…Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his” (Rom 8:9). The indwelling Spirit of God will help one to overcome the flesh. Those in whom the Spirit reigns belong to Christ and should no longer serve the flesh. They who are not indwelt by His Spirit have not spiritual life.

Jesus will throughly purge all who come to Him for cleansing and forgiveness of sins. The blood of Jesus Christ cleanseth us from all sins (1 John 1:7). His active obedience reckoned us as righteous and His passive obedience on the cross was the propitiation for all our sins. John’s baptism was not enough, they needed to repent and believe in the Lord Jesus Christ. “…Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God” (John 3:5). Such is the baptism of Jesus, it is spiritual and grants eternal life.

Are you baptized indeed by the Lord Jesus Christ? So many have undergone water baptism but not the baptism of Jesus for they have no personal relationship with Him. You must examine yourself whether you are indwelt by the Spirit of God, for vain is your profession and baptism if it is without true regeneration.

THOUGHT: Am I indwelt by the Holy Spirit?
PRAYER: Father, I thank Thee for the indwelling of Thy Spirit.