The Pursuit - 12 Weeksنموونە

When you put your trust in Jesus, something radical happens: you become brand new. Paul puts it like this in 2 Corinthians 5:17: “Anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!”

That’s not just a poetic way of saying you cleaned up your act or turned over a new leaf. Paul is describing a spiritual reality that takes place the moment you’re saved. Your sins are forgiven. Your guilt and shame are covered. Your identity changes. You are no longer defined by your past mistakes or failures — you are defined by Jesus.

But here’s the thing: we’re forgetful. Even though God has made us new, we often still live like the old us. That’s why baptism is such an important step in your new faith journey. Baptism is God’s gift to help us mark the moment when our old life ended and our new life began. It’s a public declaration that you’ve been washed clean by Christ and raised to live differently.

Think of it like a wedding ceremony. When a couple exchanges vows and rings, it doesn’t make them love each other — it declares and seals a love that already exists. In the same way, baptism doesn’t save you, but it declares before God and others that you now belong to Jesus. It’s an outward symbol of an inward transformation.

This week, we’ll look at baptism from every angle: why it matters, what it means, and how it identifies you with Jesus. But it all starts here, with the truth that through Christ you’ve been made brand new.

Reflection:

If you’ve trusted Jesus, do you see yourself as a brand-new person in him?