God Over Appearance -- Baptism: Not The Removal of Dirt

The third plague in Exodus reminds us that outward cleanliness means nothing if inwardly we are impure. Like the ancient Egyptians, the cleansing of our hearts is not achieved through removing external dirt, but through the transformative work of Christ's blood. It is his sacrifice on the cross that offers us true cleansing.

The Power of Christ's Blood: 

But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.

1 John 1:7 

It is through Christ’s shed blood that we find forgiveness, reconciliation with God, and the promise of eternal life. The cleansing power of Christ's blood surpasses any outward act or ritual, washing away the stains of sin.

Baptism: A Public Display of Inward Transformation: 

While baptism is a meaningful act, it is important to understand its role in the context of inward transformation. Baptism serves as a public display, a visible symbol of the inner change that has already taken place through faith in Christ. It is a public declaration of our identification with Christ’s death and resurrection.

The True Significance of Baptism: 

Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.

Romans 6:3-4

Baptism is a symbolic representation of our union with Christ, dying to our old sinful nature, and being raised to new life in him. Baptism does not bring about the transformation itself; rather, it serves as a public testimony to the transformation that has already occurred in our hearts through faith in Christ.

Living out Our Transformed Identity: 

As believers, we are called to live out the reality of our inward transformation. Our lives should reflect the change that Christ has brought about within us. Baptism serves as a reminder of this transformation, urging us to walk in obedience, love, and holiness. We are called to bear the fruits of the Spirit and be a light in the world, displaying the power of Christ's blood through our actions and attitudes.

Outward expressions mean nothing if there is no heart transformation. Our outward expressions should simply be an overflow of God’s work within our hearts, not a cover-up for the evil that we are fostering. 

Conclusion: 

The ancient Egyptians believed cleanliness could cover the vile practices of their religion. As believers, we know the removal of outward dirt does us no good if our hearts remain unchanged. It is the transformative power of Christ's blood that cleanses us from sin and offers us new life. Baptism, while a significant act, is a public display of the inward transformation that has already taken place through faith in Christ.

As we embrace the reality of Christ's sacrifice and the symbolic act of baptism, may we live out our transformed identity in Christ. Let our lives be a testimony to the power of His blood, displaying his love, grace, and holiness in all we do. May our inward transformation be evident in our words, actions, and relationships, as we strive to reflect the image of our Savior to a world in need.

Remember, true cleansing comes from within, through faith in Christ alone. Let us continually seek his transformative work in our lives and walk in the fullness of our new identity in him.