I grew up going to church but I’m not religious now and I never really understood this part.
Please, no answers along the lines of “aha, that’s why Christianity is a sham” or “religions aren’t logical”. I don’t want to debate whether it’s right or wrong, I just want to understand the logic and reasoning that Christians use to explain this.
Granted I’m non religious but I’ve always interpreted this as god is forgiving not stupid he can tell if your genuinely begging to be a good person or just begging to get away with murder or something he can see your personal growth and tone of intent the baptism is pretty pointless if you yourself believe in it it’s also the reason why my parents were against baptizing me at birth it’s pointless if you haven’t lived to genuinely want to be baptized