As we think about the Lord’s good news, the gospel, it is important to be aware of the radical change it brings to our lives.

A few years ago, I had the privilege of baptizing Ava, a recent immigrant from Iran. Her journey began when she found out that her neighbor, a woman from our church, was a Christian. Ava had lots of questions, and that led to many months of one-on-one Bible study, in which Ava felt safe to ask whatever was on her mind. Later she joined a women’s Bible study, and eventually Ava received Jesus as her Savior and committed her life to following him.

To mark this moment, Ava wanted to be baptized. She wanted to be immersed in the waters of baptism as described in Romans 6, and she requested that it be a small affair because of her fear of crowds. So on a beautiful Wednesday morning, with about 15 women gathered at a neighboring Baptist church, we celebrated Ava’s baptism—her participation in the death and resurrection of Jesus. What a day!

Whatever your faith journey, this is the heart of the gospel: by putting our faith and trust in Jesus, we die to our old self and we are raised to new life in him—starting now and going into all eternity. May you count yourself alive to Jesus Christ today!