Ivan the Great, the tsar of Russia during the
fifteen century, converted to Greek Orthodox to marry the daughter of the king
of Greece. Ivan said, “If I’m going to convert, so will my soldiers.” The
Greeks sent tutors to teach Ivan and 500 elite soldiers about being Greek Orthodox,
and assigned 500 priests to immerse the soldiers in one mass
baptism.
Thousands of people gathered
to watch hundreds of soldiers in full armor, along with hundreds of priests
dressed in black robes and tall hats, all standing in the Mediterranean Sea.
But there was a problem. The church
prohibited soldiers from becoming church members unless they gave up their
commitment to shed blood in battle. They came up with a solution where they
could become church members and keep their military commitment.
Just
before the priests baptized the soldiers, each man reached to his side,
withdrew his sword, and lifted it high overhead. Each soldier was totally
immersed underwater—except for his fighting arm and sword. The soldiers became
church members but could still fight in wars because they all had “unbaptized
arms.”
Compromising is when
we ignore God’s standards to get something we want. We see it all the
time, especially when it comes to sexual purity. Paul writes, “For this is the
will of God, your sanctification, that is, that you abstain from sexual
immorality” (1 Thess. 4:3). Jesus said, “Why do you call Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do
not do what I say?” (Luke 6:46). When Jesus becomes the Lord of your life, you’ll
do what He says. Is any part of you unbaptized? www.kentcrockett.blogspot.com www.makinglifecount.net
******************************************************************************************
BIBLE STUDY: Are
There Degrees of Sin?
Receive these devotionals (free) by email: You
can subscribe in the box on the right at www.kentcrockett.blogspot.com (Your email
will not be given out. You’ll receive an email when the new devotional is
posted)
Making Life Count Ministries
P.O. Box 680174
Prattville, Alabama 36068-0174
