The Necessary Transfer of Ownership

# 538 - Today's Living Word comes from: Mr 9:21 “So He asked his father, "How long has this been happening to him?" And he said, "From childhood.

Boy, I bet Jesus was surprised by that answer! I love “God questions” in the Bible. I think they would be a great topical Bible Study sometime. Why does an all knowing God ask questions as if He needs the information? The answer of course is that in His question, He has information for us that we need!

This boy has been possessed by the devil from his childhood, (the Greek word means infancy. We could rephrase the question like this, “How long has this child been a ragdoll for the devil?” How long has he owned or possessed this child? From infancy!

This child needs a transfer of ownership! We all need a transfer of ownership because as innocent as we all appear as infants, the truth is we are all conceived in sin! This transfer of ownership is accomplished in baptism where we receive the Holy Spirit and are given the seal of God's ownership, and as long as we remain in the faith, we remain in His protective custody.

2Co 1:21,22 “Now He who establishes us with you in Christ and has anointed us is God, who also has sealed us and given us the Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee.”

Back up a bit in this account of the demon possessed child. What did Jesus say about this child in v19? “Bring him to me.” Parents, bring your infants to Jesus in the waters of baptism. Jesus said in Joh 3:5, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God”

Father, thank You again for the reminder that our infants need to have a transfer of ownership, and thank You for providing the means of transfer through the waters of baptism.