When God set Israel free from Egypt, they were free, but they had to keep running. Egypt tried to retrieve its slave population. Make no mistake that Hell functions the same way. Israel had to keep running to maintain her freedom.
“Run away from youthful lusts—pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.” 2 Timothy 2:22 Amplified Bible
You cannot run forever. Sooner or later, you will need to rest. Israel ran until she came to the Red Sea, where she stopped but did not rest. Everyone’s had a restless night of the soul when your body lies down, but your spirit is not at peace. Who can rest when their enemy is breaking in the window or racing at them with swords and spears? So, Israel stopped at the Red Sea but did not rest because Egypt was coming to reclaim them. Israel stopped, not out of relief from pressure but because the pressure reached a crisis point. Egypt had Israel pinned between slavery and death. There was nowhere to go but back into slavery or the death of the sea. In such a crisis, faith moves from theory into reality.
Many people run to God when their life gets stormy. They know their life needs to change, so they change their patterns. They visit a church, talk about God, listen to Christian radio, or even read the Bible here and there. But the devil doesn't release his slaves voluntarily. You may have run from the devil, but he is chasing you and will pin you between death or a return to slavery. Which should you choose?
Jesus said, “If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow Me.”
Luke 9:23
The fear of death affects people who haven't fully put their faith in Jesus. The devil has pinned you if you fear death. Jesus said that your death is necessary if you want to follow Him, which is what “take up (your) cross” means. The apostle Paul said,
“I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the lifewhich I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.”
Galatians 2:20 NASB
If we believe Jesus rose from the dead, we will no longer fear death because God will raise us, too.
“But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.” Romans 8:11 NASB
If we hope in Jesus, we are no longer trapped between the water and slavery. We have a choice of escape, which is through the water. Baptism is where we move from theory to reality, from temporary to permanent freedom. If you truly trust Jesus, turn your back to the enemy and walk into the water. God will miraculously raise you to life on the other side, the promised land of freedom.
It's time that get baptized.
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