Baptism And Daily Life

Is there a big difference between “was” and “am”?  There is when it comes to baptism.  We do not say, “I was baptized,” as though baptism was merely an act in the past.  We say, “I am baptized,” because the blessings of our baptism continue each day.

That is very important when my sinning continues every day.  When my guilt weighs heavy on me, I need to remember, “I am baptized”- which is another way of saying, “I am forgiven,” for God promises forgiveness in baptism:  “Repent and be baptized…in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins.” (Acts 2:38)  “Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word.”  (Ephesians 5:25,26)

Not only do I sin every day, I struggle and fail in other ways.  Add to that the problems of life in a broken world, and it is easy to conclude that I can’t be worth much to God or others.  That is also when I need to remember, “I am baptized.”  God reached out to me at my baptism and made me his dear child and heir of heaven.  These things, true at my baptism, are still true today: “You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.” (Galatians 3:26,27)  “Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God’s people and members of God’s household.” (Ephesians 2:19)

And one day, when I am dying, and I realize how far I fell short from being what God wanted me to be and doing what God wanted me to do, it will be good to remember, “I am baptized.”  For the Bible says, “[God] saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit…so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.” (Titus 3:5,7)  If I am baptized, I am saved.  I am justified (declared not guilty of sin).  I am an heir of eternal life.

All these blessings were given to you personally at your baptism and are still yours today and will be yours forever, for God is faithful to his promises.

Think of how much good you can do for your children when you remind them often of their baptism.  As they struggle with guilt and shame from their sins, you can remind them that they are baptized.  God personally came to them at their baptism to forgiven all their sins; all of them!  When they feel worthless because of their weaknesses and failures, when all seems against them in life, you can remind them of their baptism. You can tell them, “God chose you at your baptism.  He made YOU his own dear, forgiven child at your baptism, and not matter how you feel, how the world looks at you, or what your circumstances seem to say, YOU are still God’s dear child!  As they head out the door, you can remind them, “Remember whose child you are!”, and encourage them to live their lives as the children of God they were made at their baptism.  When you are getting close to leaving this world, you can remind them that eternal life is promised at baptism, and not only is that promise in Christ God’s personal promise to you, but to them too. United to Christ in baptism, we await a happy reunion with Christ and our loved ones one day in heaven.