Weekly Devotional 10-31-16 Hopefully, As The Son So Shall His Father
This morning (10-15-16) I was talking with a friend about his son in whom he is amazed. A few months ago his son came to saving faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. He has seen his son change from a self-centered alcohol-drug abuser to a person who now lives to proclaim the gospel by word and lifestyle. He watched his son, by water baptism, testifying of his faith in Jesus Christ. Baptism by submersion was something totally new to him and as we talked I explained to him that such a baptism identifies a person with the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus. Being a former Catholic his son’s baptism by immersion was something totally new to him. As we talked it was clear that he did not understand the significance of what his son had submitted himself too. I suggested that he join the club (so to speak). He kind of shrugged this suggestion off but it was clear that the change in his son and his son’s baptism by submersion in water has caused, and is causing him to seriously think about his own life. My prayer is that these things lead him to faith in Jesus also.
As we talked, it was clear that he was unashamed to talk about this change in his son’s life but when I turned our discussion toward him he showed embarrassment and unease. There of course may be many reasons for this; having a lack of knowledge about the topic, being convicted but unwilling to surrender his life to Christ, or maybe he was considering what the reactions of his friend’s might be if he were to make such a commitment, even though he knew he should. One thing is sure; at this point he does not have a true saving faith in Christ. Being a former Catholic he may be trusting in but doubting in his own supposed good works. Or he may be trusting in but doubting the claims of that persuasion (the Roman Catholic Church) that being a part of the RCC he is automatically part of the kingdom of God. His embarrassment and unease may come from any one of these things or perhaps all of them. One thing is sure, Satan (the hater of God) is whispering in his ear suggesting and encouraging him away from trusting in the finished work of Jesus, that such a commitment would bring him loss of friends and embarrassment.
I would and do solicit your prayers (you who are born again believers) that the Lord would overcome these obstacles in his life and that he would join his son and become part of the true church, the church of Jesus Christ, His called out assembly.
stevelampman@comcast.net stevelampman.com
Transforming Power; The Work of God on Behalf of Man