Walkin’ Out What You Say You Believe

Now, Butterbean, if’n that there don’t beat all, be ‘a-lettin’ me git ta’ easin’ you right on into this in a real easy way like when ya’ git to seein’ a big ol’ bullfrog ‘a-trying to be ‘a-settlin’ himself down on a lily pad that’s clearly plum two sizes too small for him to be ‘a-sittin’ on. Takin’ time to be ‘a-steppin’ off’n this here ol’ front porch, I was done out by the pond on this mornin’, ‘a-watchin’ a bossy lil’ ol’ blue jay ‘a-tryin’ to be ‘a-tellin’ a whole flock of lil’ ol’ crows jes’ how they done was ‘a-needin’ to be ‘a-flyin’, an’ it done reminded me jes’ how folks sometimes git ta’ talkin’ a mighty big game without ‘a-doin’ much livin’ behind it to be ‘a-backin’ it up. That’s done why John 14:21 lands with such a loud thud heavier than a big ol’ sack o’ feed. “Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me.” Jesus didn’t say the one who’s always ‘a-talkin’ ‘bout lovin’ Him. He said it’s sho’-nuff’ the one who is done ‘a-keepin’ His commands.

Now, by golly an’ be ‘a-rollin’ me in cornmeal, Butterbean, be ‘a-lettin’ me git ta’ askin’ you somethin’ real personal. Are you ‘a-negotiatin’ with God about somethin’ He done already told you to be ‘a-doin’? Maybe you done gave your life to Christ, but you  ain’t done nothin’ ‘bout ‘a-takin’ that there next step of obedience, called baptism. And listen here, baptism don’t save you. If’n water could be washin’ away sin, half o’ all them there catfish in Texas would already be ‘a-practicin’ their sainthood by now. Salvation done only comes through Jesus Christ alone. That there thief on the cross never made it to a baptistry, yet Jesus done welcomed him right to home in paradise.

Baptism ain’t salvation. It’s one o’ them there declarations; you know, one o’ them there big ol’ stand‑up-and-say-so moments. It’s you ‘a-standin’ up and ‘a-sayin’, “I done belong to Jesus.” When you done go under that there water, it done stands for the death of your old self. When you done come up, it’s a real picture of your new life in Christ. It’s jes’ like one o’ them there weddin’ rings. The ring don’t make you married, but it sho’-nuff is ‘a lettin’ the whole world be ‘a-knowin’ jes’ who you done belong to. Jesus Himself was done baptized in Matthew 3:15 to show us that it sho’-nuff’ mattered.

So, Buttercup, are you ‘a-standin’ on the edge of obedience, ‘a-waitin’ for a real good sign, a feelin’, or a choir of angels to be ‘a-showin’ up with a banjo? God already done gave the command. Baptism don’t save you, but it’s a real big an’ important step in ‘a-walkin’ out your faith with real boldness and joy.

Father, be ‘a-helpin’ me to be obeyin’ You even when my lil’ ol’ nerves git ta’ flutterin’ like a lil’ ol’ chicken hen ‘a-runnin’ ‘round in a hailstorm. Be ‘a-givin’ me the courage to be ‘a-takin’ them there steps You done asked of me. Thank You for savin’ me, changin’ me, and callin’ me to walk in newness of life You’ve done been preparin’ for me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Now, I’ll be ‘a-tellin you plain, Butterbean. You gotta’ be ‘a-rememberin’ this here as you done git to steppin’ off’n this here front porch and right on into your day. Faith that don’t never, ever step out is like an ol’ porch swing that ain’t got no chains on it. It done looks real nice, but it ain’t ‘a-goin’ nowhere. You’ve got to be ‘a-lettin’ God be ‘a-steadyin’ your heart, ‘a-liftin’ your foot, and ‘a-leadin’ you straight ahead on into that there obedience that done gits ta’ showin’ the whole world jes’ who you done belong to.

 With joy,

Gwen