Immersed in Jesus

When a person immerses himself in something, he totally surrounds himself with it.  He spends time thinking about it and making plans around it.  It occupies his mind, utilizes his energy and expends his resources.

 People can immerse themselves in many different things.  Some are immersed in hobbies, recreation or sports such as hunting, fishing, college football, baseball, golf, racing, collecting, or gardening.  Others are immersed in their work or school.  Some are immersed in their children or grandchildren.  When a person is seriously sick, it is easy to become immersed with health concerns.

 As Christians, "we were all baptized into one body" (1 Corinthians 12:13).  Most of us understand that the word "baptized" means "immersed."  But what we may not have thought much about is the connection between being immersed in water and being immersed in Jesus.  The apostle Paul puts it this way in Galatians 3:27: "For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ."  Those of us who have been "baptized into Christ" are to have put Him on like a garment.  We are to be covered up with Him -- immersed in Him.

 By itself, immersion in water does nothing to change a person's life.  But when that immersion is the beginning of being overwhelmed with Jesus Christ, lives are truly changed.  Baptism into Christ results in a person being raised to "walk in newness of life" (Romans 6:4).  "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation" (2 Corinthians 5:17).  This new life is one that is immersed in Jesus. 

 Every sinner needs to be immersed in water for the remission of sins (Acts 2:38; 22:16).  But every one who is immersed in water is thus obligated to live a new life immersed in Jesus.  Are you immersed in Him?  "But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts" (Romans 13:14). 

 - by Steve Klein