Jesus was the plan before the foundation of the world (Ephesians 1:4). God worked out the plan of salvation through the ages (Genesis 3:15; Matthew 1:16; Genesis 12:3; Galatians 3:8). When we discuss our salvation, we must acknowledge that God has been working out a plan for a long time, and He has done the heavy lifting.
There is no plan, there is no solution, there is not even a chance without the work of God.
When presented with these facts, many of the people in the New Testament asked a similar question: “What shall we do?” (Acts 2:37; cf. 9:6; 10:4; 13:42; 16:30). They understood that the overwhelming work of God demanded a response on their part.
Today, if we agree that God has made salvation possible, and we agree that it demands a response on our part, let us ask the same question the people in Acts asked: “What shall we do?”
Consider this.
Hearing the word of God is a lot of work. We must clear our schedule, find some alone time, and read. Hearing takes work.
Belief is a lot of work. Humbling ourselves to the point where we can be taught is hard. Changing what we have thought for years, or what our family has thought for generations, is tough! Belief takes work.
Is repentance hard? Ask the person who is addicted to sin. Changing our behavior after five, ten, or even fifty years is hard. Repentance takes work!
Confession can be challenging. Confessing Jesus in a crowd may put us out of our comfort zone. Confessing Jesus with our words and by the way we live in our workplace and with our family can be new and difficult. Confession takes work!
Although each step of the process requires us to work, most of us understand our role in our salvation. However, even though the majority of conversions in Acts specifically mention baptism, some people object to baptism, calling it a work.
Did you know that only one verse calls baptism a work? This verse does not say that it is our work, but “the powerful working of God” (Colossians 2:12).
Baptism is the most passive part of our conversion. In baptism we give up control, both physically and spiritually, and let someone immerse us in water while God does the work. This is a divine precedent for the rest of our Christian walk: We will need God and other people.
Yes, God has done the heavy lifting. But His hard work demands a response from us. In light of what God has done, what will you do?
“Now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord.” – Acts 22:16
