VOICE OF TRUTH FOR TODAY
Change
When John the Baptist saw Jesus coming toward him, he declared,
“Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29, NIV).
This was not a casual statement. It was a revelation.
Crowds had gathered at the Jordan River, confessing their sins and being baptized. Matthew tells us John’s message was clear: “Turn to God and change the way you think and act, because the kingdom of heaven is near” (Matthew 3:2, GW).
Change begins in the mind.
When we turn to God, our thinking begins to align with His truth. And when our thinking changes, our actions follow. Baptism became the outward declaration of an inward transformation — a public acknowledgment that something permanent had taken place.
The word “baptize” carries the idea of immersion, even “pickling” — a process that produces lasting change. In the Old Testament, sin was temporarily covered through sacrifice. But Jesus, the Lamb of God, did not simply cover sin — He removed it.
That truth reshapes everything.
Do I forget that Jesus has taken away my sin? Do I strive in my own strength, discouraged by repeated failure? The work of salvation is already accomplished. Redemption is not something I earn — it is something I receive by faith.
Romans 4:17 reminds us that God “gives life to the dead and calls into existence things that do not exist.” He recreates what was broken. He renews what was lost.
John the Baptist recognized who stood before him.
Do we?
Lord, renew our minds. Align our thoughts with Yours. Let the truth of who You are transform how we live today.
—
Excerpt from Voice of Truth Magazine
“Musings on the Book of John” by Connie Hecker