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“I’m going to ride that bike without training wheels. I’m going to learn how to pop a wheelie on it and everything!”
My 6 year old nephew had recently gone to a motocross racing event and found his new purpose in life. He was going to be a BMX rider and be the most amazing one you had ever seen.
“Go for it.”
He looked at me like I had two heads.
“If that’s what you want to do, go for it.”
He still looked confused. “I can?”
“The only one holding you back is yourself.”
Now, I’ll be honest. I was nervous as all get out on the inside. But I wanted him to know there was nothing stopping him from that next big thing. To get your training wheels off is huge! And I knew he could do it!
He’s the bravest little boy I know.
He asked his dad to take off his wheels and he was ready.
And now I have to run to catch up with the little rascal!
Acts 8:36-38
“And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized?
37 And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.
38 And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him.”
Here’s the man God sent Philip to. The eunuch. The man who Philip found reading from Isaiah but not truly understanding it. God had sent Philip to guide him and help him see the truth of those scriptures.
He had already believed in Christ. He had even traveled all the way from Ethiopia to Jerusalem to worship. But he needed help for a deeper understanding of God’s Word.
Here’s what I love about this passage today. It says “as they went on their way.” See, Philip didn’t show him the meaning of that one passage and then walk away. He continued with him. Discipleship is a continual process and Philip remained with him as long as he was needed.
When they came to the water, the eunuch asked, “Is there anything preventing me from being baptized?”
At some point, perhaps this is something that had come up in their conversation and learning. The purpose of baptism. It was the next thing to do as a believer. Jesus Himself was baptized. Clearly, that demonstrates that baptism doesn’t “wash away” sins. Jesus was perfect and sinless. However, it does show submission to the Lord. It’s an outward way of stating, “I believe in you Lord and I am committing my life to following you.”
Notice Philip’s response to his new friend’s question.
“If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest.”
There is nothing holding you back but yourself. Go for it!
What’s holding you back?
Maybe…
God’s called you to follow Him, what’s holding you back?
God has called you to show those around you that you’ve committed your life to Christ by being baptized. What’s stopping you?
God has called you to a mission trip, to a new church, to a Bible study, to serve in a position at church… what’s keeping you from doing it?
The only one holding you back is yourself.
If you want to know more about how to follow Jesus through discipleship, go to follow.lifeword.org. Discover a deeper walk with Christ today!
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