The Baptism of Water

If I asked you, “What are we washing off with the Baptism of water? What had been added to us that needed to be washed away?”

You would answer correctly, “What was added in the garden! The deadly knowledge of good and evil!”

Yes. We’d all agree, evil must be washed away.

But can I ask you to consider that the knowledge of good must also be washed away?

John the Baptist cried to the so-called goodness experts, “And do not think you can say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham. The ax is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.” Matthew 3:9

The ax to all faux goodness had come! This exquisite blade discerns between the two sources of all behavior, the knowledge of good and evil and the Tree of Life:

The knowledge of good and evil promised to make us like gods but instead produced shame. It’s bullying drove us to cover-up an awareness too bare, too lacking.  “And he said, “Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree that I commanded you not to eat from?” Genesis 3:11

Or, another source,

The Tree of Life, Christ, Who also stood in the garden we didn’t choose. But now, we can choose Him. He proclaims to those washed by His blood of their knowledge of good and evil, “You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” John 15

Good isn’t something we inherit or can put our minds to becoming.

Good isn’t something we do, act, or are told we are by others.

Goodness is sourced from the Source! Source is everything in this new kingdom!   

True and good fruit springs from the Life of Christ within, naturally, organically, from the One Who gave life by giving His.  “This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him.” 1John 4:9

Dearest Beloved, doing good outside of the Spirit’s living leading is as deadly as doing evil.

When this is settled within, you will find no goodness burnout. You will find “His yoke is easy and His burden is light.” Matt 11:30

Rejoice!

Binsey