When we have dedicated our lives to God and received salvation through Christ, we are instructed to follow the example Jesus set, and be baptized in water. Colossians 2:12 says that when we are baptized, our old life is buried with Christ, but we are also resurrected to a new life in him. As our feature verse states, we are united with him in baptism, and furthermore, we have put on Christ. While watching the baptisms this past Sunday, we saw many who proudly shared their faith, literally for the whole world to see.

It was particularly touching to see all the young people who gave their salvation testimonies being baptized, putting on Christ for all to see. There was no self-pride in their witness as they so willingly shared the miracle of salvation and life through Christ. A powerful testimony was given by a mother who said she gave her wayward son back to God, because if she tried to deal with everything, it would drive her crazy. She placed him in God’s hands to do the work that needs to be done. That is a strong faith.

Other awesome testimonies came from those who had been bound in addictions and have since been set free through Christ, after many years, even though many of them felt unworthy of his love. There were stories of those who had been raised in Christian homes and attended church all their lives, but made wrong decisions and strayed from God, but the prompting of the Holy Spirit led them back to Him. Many of those being baptized had friends who invited them to church or who simply showed them Christ through their words and actions.

Think about that for a moment. God can bring new life to anyone who is willing to surrender to Him. It doesn’t matter where you come from, whether you’ve been exposed to His message all your life and strayed or are just now learning of Him. It matters not if you have ridiculed and mocked Him or have renounced His name, He wants a relationship with you. He offers a new beginning. That’s our amazing God.

Dear Heavenly Father,

You are an awesome God who has never given up on me. I want to be one with You, Lord, and proudly wear Christ for the world to see. Help me to be ever mindful of You and Your promptings, so that others may see You in me and be drawn to a relationship with You. I dedicate all of me to You, use me as You will. In the name of Jesus, I pray. Amen.

What is your testimony? Have you put on Christ as you would put on new clothes? If you have not given your life to Christ, submit to His call now, confess and repent of (turn from) your sins. Then follow the next step and become united with Christ in water baptism. You will be empowered to share your testimony for all to see, so that others may come to know Christ through your witness.