James Duff June 28th 2015 ~ Appointment with God

In the early centuries of Christianity, people were baptised naked. (I hope that got your attention!) Large groups after many months of tutelage would be separated into male and female groups who, together, were fully immersed in a river, lake or sea - baptised into the triune God.Why be baptised naked?  Not only clothes but all jewellery was removed before baptism, so that, when it occurred, people wouldn’t know who was rich and who wasn't.  In ancient times it was those who had much material wealth who were seen as being at the top of the hierarchical social order. The higher you got up the social ladder, the more you were respected. Aren't we glad that times have changed?  (Ha!  That was irony.)  The nakedness of those being baptised made the social structural hierarchical system irrelevant for a time. It was totally radical to have a community where people from all social levels gathered together as one. That was how the early church looked. The idea was to show that no one was out of the reach of Jesus to be reborn, renewed and given new life.  Nude baptism symbolised complete new birth, like a new babe coming into the world with nothing. So it is when Jesus comes to us through the power of the Holy Spirit.  We have nothing and he clothes us.  We have nothing but we are given new life.  We have nothing but he gives us His love.Malcolm and I are currently at the clergy conference in Busselton. It can be encouraging being around other ministers: Encouraging to share stories, struggles and wins in ministries; encouraging to see and hear hundreds of leaders proclaim Jesus as Lord and Saviour. The most encouraging part of the week for me, though, has been to have the chance to listen to God. The older I get, the more I love the precious times of listening to God. Often God convicts me of my own need for his grace in these quiet still times. It is a chance again to accept a renewal of the Holy Spirit to empower me to do the good works that God has for me.  Coming to God with nothing and then listening to him is a discipline that followers of Jesus need to see as critical for a healthy relationship.I am not encouraging you to come nude and be baptised but I would encourage you to take some time this week to be disciplined and come to God in prayer with nothing, to listen to him. You might not feel that you hear anything but, whatever the result, take the time to share the experience with a trusted Christian friend. So grab your diary and make the appointment with God now.  It is the most important relationship you have, so make it the most crucial catch-up this week.God bless you,James