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This should be a regular form of prayer. You see now that we have a new incentive for reading our Bibles, especially the four books of the Gospel, so that we can be alert to those words which are a call, request or command of Jesus. There are words recorded in Luke that Jesus spoke to Peter, "Don't be afraid; from now on you will catch men". In the Gospel of John there are some more words which Jesus also spoke to Peter, "Feed my lambs. Take care of my sheep. Feed my sheep". Read too those other commissions of Jesus which are found in Matthew 28 vv. 16 to 20, and Mark 16 vv. 15 and 16. In both these cases the words were spoken to the disciples, all eleven of whom were in the presence of Jesus and heard them from his own lips. However these are words spoken to every disciple of Jesus through the ages, down to and including the disciples of today. We know of the obedience of the original disciples. The same obedience is required of us.

Just once more, for those for whom this is relevant, let me mention baptism. Jesus was himself baptised by his cousin John, as an act pleasing to God and as an example to us. Jesus encouraged his disciples to be baptised (John 4 vv. 1 and 2), and commanded his disciples to baptise their converts (Mark 16 v. 16). This is the most appropriate time, because we are now at the very heart of our journey. We can look back on our cleansing and the forgiveness of our sins, and we can look forward to our unity with God's people in the body of Christ. We can see ourselves now in mid-process of our sanctification or being changed. Behind us is the negative aspect of putting to death the sinful nature, and in front is the positive aspect of new life in Christ. Also this is the very point of our submission and dedication to Jesus, and baptism can be a most open and public demonstration of our love and obedience. Very fortunate are those for whom, in submission to Jesus, baptism can be their first act of obedience.

Do not offer the parts of your body to sin, as instruments of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God, as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer the parts of your body to him as instruments of righteousness.