Catechism--Baptism part 4
Romans 6:3-4--Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.
Devotion--At the risk of sounding overly grammatical, look at the different pronouns used in the two verses above. You'll notice that Paul uses "we" and "us" when he is talking about those who have been baptized. It means that each of us who is baptized has been baptized into Christ's death and resurrection, but that we are also all connected in that death and new life.
Baptism creates a Godly unity out of sinful people. We aren't baptized and then merely have an individual connection with God. We are joined together as God's holy people. In some of the biblical imagery, we're all one body, which is then incomplete if we think we can disconnect ourselves from the body and only have a relationship with Jesus all by ourselves. The body of Christ, our fellow believers in Christ, are critical to our life of faith.
As people who are connected with each other in our baptism, we have a special bond. When one of us struggles with the outward expression of some sin, it does have its effect on all of us. And that is why God has put us all together, to walk our lives together. We are called to be of help and assistance to one another, especially when it comes to the battle against sin in our lives.
Sadly, most of us are too proud or ashamed of our sin to genuinely ask another Christian or Christians for assistance with the outward expression of that sin. However, we sometimes catch sight of that sin in the life of another believer. And that is when it is appropriate to seek out ways to help that fellow believer to "put off" the outward expression of that sin.
We can speak God's word of forgiveness to that person, since they are a baptized child of God. But what's more, we can then offer to walk with them through their struggle, to give help and support in time of need. As they struggle to put off the outward expression of sin, we can be there as a help and encouragement. And who knows, that might even give us the insight and courage to ask for that same kind of help when it comes to putting off our own outward expression of sin.
Prayer--Lord Jesus, You have washed us all in the waters of our Baptism. We now walk with one another in faith and life. Help us to recognize how we can be of help and encouragement to one another, especially when it comes to the battle against sin. Also help us to cast aside our shame and pride, and to ask for that same help as we have need of it. May we do this so that Your body may be built up in every way. Amen.
Romans 6:3-4--Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.
Devotion--At the risk of sounding overly grammatical, look at the different pronouns used in the two verses above. You'll notice that Paul uses "we" and "us" when he is talking about those who have been baptized. It means that each of us who is baptized has been baptized into Christ's death and resurrection, but that we are also all connected in that death and new life.
Baptism creates a Godly unity out of sinful people. We aren't baptized and then merely have an individual connection with God. We are joined together as God's holy people. In some of the biblical imagery, we're all one body, which is then incomplete if we think we can disconnect ourselves from the body and only have a relationship with Jesus all by ourselves. The body of Christ, our fellow believers in Christ, are critical to our life of faith.
As people who are connected with each other in our baptism, we have a special bond. When one of us struggles with the outward expression of some sin, it does have its effect on all of us. And that is why God has put us all together, to walk our lives together. We are called to be of help and assistance to one another, especially when it comes to the battle against sin in our lives.
Sadly, most of us are too proud or ashamed of our sin to genuinely ask another Christian or Christians for assistance with the outward expression of that sin. However, we sometimes catch sight of that sin in the life of another believer. And that is when it is appropriate to seek out ways to help that fellow believer to "put off" the outward expression of that sin.
We can speak God's word of forgiveness to that person, since they are a baptized child of God. But what's more, we can then offer to walk with them through their struggle, to give help and support in time of need. As they struggle to put off the outward expression of sin, we can be there as a help and encouragement. And who knows, that might even give us the insight and courage to ask for that same kind of help when it comes to putting off our own outward expression of sin.
Prayer--Lord Jesus, You have washed us all in the waters of our Baptism. We now walk with one another in faith and life. Help us to recognize how we can be of help and encouragement to one another, especially when it comes to the battle against sin. Also help us to cast aside our shame and pride, and to ask for that same help as we have need of it. May we do this so that Your body may be built up in every way. Amen.
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