...worthy of that grand Kingdom which the Gospel Hope sets before us. Jesus said, “No one who puts his hand to the plough and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God” Luke 9:62. Having begun, we must never turn back.

We have a solemn lesson from the history of God’s ancient people, Israel. They were called out from the dark bondage of Egypt to march to the land of promise. God led them through the wilderness. This was their testing-time, and many thousands of them failed. When their faith was put to the test, they turned back in their hearts to what they had left behind them. And as a result, they did not reach their goal.

Now read what Paul says about these things in 1 Corinthians 10:1-11. Read also verse 5 of Jude, where he reminds us that “the Lord, having saved the people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed those who did not believe.”

Baptism then, is not all. There is a proverb which says “A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.” But that first step, important as it is, is not the completed journey. Many more steps must be taken.

Baptism is but the first step on the journey to the Kingdom of God. The path lies ever onward and upward. After that first act of faith
“There is a battle to be fought,
An onward race to run,
A crown of glory to be sought,
A victory to be won.”

In Hebrews 6:1 NKJV we read “Therefore leaving the discussion of the elementary principles of Christ,

Let us go on to perfection”
That is a high mark indeed. But it is what we are called upon to aim at in our life in Christ. Christ himself is our pattern. Not only has he “Suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps” 1 Peter 2:21 NKJV, but he daily helps us to walk in that path of obedience he trod. And the Father himself helps us through the Son.

Paul says that in this work of building, “we are God’s fellow workers” 1 Corinthians 3:9. What a partnership this is! How can it fail, unless we ourselves fail?

This great work of building a character well pleasing in God’s sight requires both subtraction and addition. We must subtract – i.e. take away, put off, lay aside – the works of “the old man” of the flesh. “put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and foul talk from your mouth. Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old nature with its practices” Colossians 3:8-9. We must add, or put on, the qualities of “the new man” of the Spirit; in other words, the attributes of Christ, “and have put on the new nature, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator … Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassion, kindness, lowliness, meekness, and patience, forbearing one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.” Colossians 3:10, 12-14.

A word of gentle warning here. This work of being made like Christ in character now, that we might – when he comes – be made “like him” in the glorious nature he now bears, is one which may bring us trial and suffering. This should not cause us any wonder. It has pleased God, “in bringing many sons to glory, should make the pioneer of their salvation...

Perfect through suffering” Hebrews 2:10
The “many sons” cannot well expect to be “made perfect” by any other way than that which God appointed for their “Captain”. Gold is purified by fire. Gems are made beautiful by polishing. The living stones which make up God’s spiritual temple must be hewn into shape. “Jesus Christ himself” is “the cornerstone” of that magnificent building. Every other “stone” must be brought into line.

“Beloved, do not be surprised” wrote Peter “at the fiery ordeal which comes upon you to prove you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice in so far as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed” 1 Peter 4:12-13. We need such a faith as that of Abraham to sustain us through this time of testing. We must, with that eye of faith, always take the long-range view, and never, never despair. We are assured that “in everything” (even those things which may seem very hard to bear) “God works for good with those who love him, who are called according to his purpose” Romans 8:28.
It is wise then, to...

Count the cost
The apostle Paul was a son of God who endured much in the way of sore trial. And this is his summing up: “I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us” Romans 8:18. In another place he writes, “For this slight momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, because we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen; for the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal” 2 Corinthians 4:17-18.

Never forget the searching “profit and loss” question which the Saviour himself placed before men, “For what will it profit a man, if he gains the whole world and forfeits his life?” Matthew 16:26. In other terms: A man, plus the world, minus his life, equals – what? The answer is simple. Work the problem out. In doing so, you will find the only true scale of real values.

In view of all these things, how important it is that, after baptism, we keep the example of Christ ever before our minds. How vital it is that we faithfully remember him in the way he himself commanded. How urgent it is that we make use of those great helps which God has given His people to strengthen and sustain them in their waiting and working for His Kingdom – that is, the daily reading and study of His precious Word and constant approach to His “throne of grace” in prayer, through the great High Priest of His appointing.

Psalm 119:97-99 NKJV,
“Oh, how I love Your law! It is my meditation all the day.
You, through Your commandments, make me wiser than my enemies;
For they are ever with me. I have more understanding than all my teachers,
for Your testimonies are my meditation.”

Also, 2 Timothy 3:16-17, “All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.”
It is part of God’s plan with man that, in this way, there should be going on continually this great work of making ready “a people prepared for the Lord” Luke 1:17 NKJV.

Are you one of them? You are surely interested in God’s plan - otherwise you would not have read to this point. Then why not invest your faith in the promises of God? They cannot fail They are as sure as the rising of tomorrow’s sun.

One final word
The time is short. Our world today stands on the verge of a mighty change. Meanwhile, “the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation” It could mean salvation for you! This is your opportunity! “Now is the acceptable time”.

Only the present is ours. The past is now gone, and the future is not yet. And “What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes” James 4:14.

Then again, “you do not know what a day may bring forth” Proverbs 27:1. We hold our present fleeting life by such a slender thread. Be wise. God gave it to you for a time - and for a purpose. Make full use of it while you have it. Use it as a stepping-stone to greater things. It can lead to life more joyous and more lasting.

Never forget that the sun will go down at last on your day of opportunity.
“Now is the day of salvation” 2 Corinthians 6:2.

Then, “Today, when you hear his voice”, “Seek the LORD while he may be found, call upon him while he is near!” Isaiah 55:6.

Now is the time!