Salvation, Baptism- Myth or Truth?

What I learned from my cousin’s death: Proof that surrendering your life to God & getting baptized is more than just a religious charade! 

Written by Netisha Alie-Grant 

I have spoken to and am acquainted with at least 4 prominent gentlemen who believe that my faith in the God of Jesus Christ is “the white man’s way of controlling black people.”

They believe that the Bible is a history book filled with “stories” written by man and not God Himself! 

I respect that everyone has the free will to believe whatever they choose! If God could give man free will who am I to dictate to others? 

Nevertheless, while questioning God about my cousin Tasha’s battle with Cancer and getting annoyed with Him for being silent about healing or taking her, I experienced one of the greatest revelations yet. 

Sharing a few words at Tasha's Life Celebration

Sometimes we question the God we serve, especially when we do not understand His plan or why He allows things to happen, but believe it is all in good standing. 

My cousin before her battle with breast cancer, was a church goer but she didn’t completely surrender her life to God. 

She was what I called a one foot-in-one-foot-out kind of Christian. She later gave her heart to God completely and got baptized!

Her battle continued and we prayed. “Are you going to heal her or take her?” I pleaded. God kept silent to my question for two and a half years. 

Then on April 1 2019, I woke up to read my scripture for the day. There stated in the title the words; “When Yes means No”

-A story of a lady whose mom was fighting leukemia and while she wanted her mom to be healed, her Mom’s prayer was to “suffer no more...God knows I’m ready to go home.” She said. 

Sounds familiar? 

Then the daughter knew that God had to say “No!” to her and that would be a “Yes!” to her mom. My current dilemma!

The matching scripture was Romans 8:22-28: “I call on the Lord in my distress, and he answers me.”

And there in this too familiar and real story God “answered me...” in my distress-an answer on my cousin’s final “verdict.”

Right then I knew without a doubt that the Lord was going to put my cousin to rest from all the pain she was enduring from this world! And to SAVE her in His kingdom. 

“You know He is going to take her?” I asked my husband. Like God, he stood silent. -Trying to protect me from the excruciating grief I was about to endure.

“It’s ok,” I continued, “it’s all here in this story.” 

A few hours later I shared the scripture with another cousin who lives on the same island as my suffering cousin. She’d give me updates on our Tasha’s situation.

While sharing with her, a song came over the radio: “This world is not what it was meant to be, all this pain, all this suffering, there’s a better place waiting for me-in Heaven...I’m going home; where the streets are golden... oh I wanna go HOME!” Confirmation! 

You see when God is saying something to you, He will always confirm it. And that He did. In case I missed it the first time God was making it abundantly clear that He was going to put my cousin to rest from this painful world. 

I quickly sent her (my liaising cousin) a clip of the song and she shivered as she listened. This was at 11:40 am. By 2:09pm The text came in: “Cuz she’s gone” 

Coincidence? A word often used to describe events that are in agreement or in harmony? Or  is God making it clear that He is answering a prayer by giving me the heads up on calling my cousin “Home?” 

I know my answer, how about you? :) Because I could give many more instances where prayers have been answered. 

Salvation is surrendering to God so you can be saved from eternal damnation, Baptism is a public declaration of this salvation, burying the old man and becoming a new creation in Christ! 

Very very very real! The choice remains yours!Would you surrender to Him today? (See Prayer below)

In loving Memory of my darling Tasha- We miss you dearly! 

Watch/listen to full song here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YIb4NC5ikYo

If you would like to surrender your heart to God through Jesus Christ and receive the free gift of SALVATION please pray this prayer;

Lord I know that I am sinner, but I want to become one with you. I renounce satan and the world, I repent of my sins, come into my heart, I accept you as my personal Lord and saviour. I declare that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father. In Jesus name I pray Amen. CONGRATULATIONS! 

(If you prayed the above prayer you have now accepted a relationship with God, read the Bible and find the assembly of true born again believers. Let God lead you!)