By Pastor Steve Nickodemus

Being Raised with Jesus!

You can listen to today’s devotion by clicking this SoundCloud link.

“Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death?”
Romans 6:3 New International Version

Baptism is a most amazing act.  A person asks to be baptized.  They go into the water and the pastor says the words, “I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.”  And in this simple act of faith, God works miracles.  I die to sin and come alive to Christ.  My sins are washed away.  The Holy Spirit comes into me and begins His work of faith and sanctification.  I become part of the body of Jesus Christ.

How does this happen?  It is certainly not the water, nor is it the amount of faith of either the baptized or the baptizer, but it is the power of God’s promise, His life giving Word that always accomplishes what it says it will do.  This is certainly a great mystery, but it is also a great working of God’s grace and mercy.  The Lord does not leave me in a hopeless state of sin apart from Him, but He sends His Son into the world to save me, to die for me, to rise for me.

Sometimes believers have arguments over what happens at baptism or how it should be done.  But God’s promise and His working of grace in this act are what makes all the difference for me.  How can God do such great things through such a simple act?  Because “God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.”  This is amazing grace and a great mystery.  Praise our Lord and Savior who comes and washes away my sin and death and gives me forgiveness and life!  Amen.

Copyright Holy Cross Lutheran Church Colorado Springs, Colorado