Guiding the baptized to live according to their calling

Getting water baptism is a symbol of total commitment to the Christian call. Even though becoming a Christian is a voluntary decision, yet once you take it, you are required to get baptized and commit to the call. I wish to share only four points with you that form part of the things a baptized Christian should live up to.

1. Pick your language. The words that we speak tell a lot about us. As a believer, you don’t want people to get confused about your position with Christ when you speak. Ephesians 4:29 says, ‘Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers’.
2. Pick your dress code. Just like the case is for the words we speak, similarly, the way we dress tells a lot about our position with Christ. Many Christians have adopted the worldly standard of Christian dressing while they ignore the holiness voice from the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit speaks but only that which is in line with the recorded Word of God. There are many voices that speak to our hearts; even self-deception is another voice that we often give an ear to. Some voices will sound very nice, soft and friendly yet they are not of the Holy Spirit.
3. Evangelize about the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Every living person should get the invitation to unite with Jesus Christ. The agents for this message are baptized Christians. We live in a diverse society where there are people of different colors, religions and ethnic groups. These are all groups which a Christian believer should make efforts to invite to the grace of salvation through Jesus Christ.
4. Make the Bible your source of strength, information and guidance. I already have mentioned that there are lots of voices that make way into our hearts yet not all of them are of God. The Bible should be our litmus for all the messages we get from within ourselves and from around. It would be terrible for one to do something under the impression that God has instructed him or her yet it is not Him who said it. Let me make an example. I once heard of a pastor who claimed to have divorced his wife because God had told Him so. If we search the scriptures, God cannot instruct a person to opt for a divorce, rather we know our God to encourage forgiveness and love.

The reason a Christian should live according to the calling is because God wants it like that. If we confess to be His followers, we must do what He instructs. Just like Joshua instructed the Eastern tribes of Israel in chapter 22:5, “But be careful to obey all the commands and the instructions that Moses gave to you. Love the Lord your God, walk in His ways, obey His commands, hold firmly to Him, and serve Him will all your heart and all your soul.” God sees a heart that is committed to Him and delights in such people.