Let's Go Back to the Bible

“The trees have leaves on them!”

I remember as a child when I got my first pair of glasses. We walked outside the optometrist’s office and I immediately exclaimed, “The trees have leaves on them!” Of course, I knew that fact already, but now I was able to see clearly something that I had not seen clearly in quite some time. I was severely nearsighted and was now enjoying a renewed clarity.

I remember just as vividly that Sunday morning when I walked out of the baptistry. I did not say it out loud, but I’m certain my soul was exclaiming, “I’ve been cleansed from my sins!” There was such clarity that day! Such determination to grow and do the best I could for the Lord!  Peter conveyed an interesting truth about those who come up from the waters of baptism but fail to grow as the Lord expects. “Whoever lacks these qualities is so nearsighted that he is blind, having forgotten that he was cleansed from his former sins” (2 Pet. 1:9). Are you growing? Have you forgotten that determination you had at your baptism? Have you forgotten the joy of being cleansed from sin? Is it time to see the leaves on the trees again?