Baptism: Not Just A Symbol :: Romans 6:1-11
What, then, shall we say? May we continue in sin in order that grace may increase? God forbid! We who died to sin, how will we still live in it? Or do you not know that, all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus, were baptized into his death? We were buried with him, therefore, by baptism into his death, in order that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, so also we may walk in a renewal of life … So also you, consider yourselves to be dead to sin and living to God in Christ Jesus.
As Lutherans, we hold Baptism in high honor. Baptism is water included in God’s command and combined with God’s Word to remove us from sin and carry us toward everlasting life. And, as Lutherans, we have this curious phrase: Remember your baptism. We say it all the time ... it’s even written in red letters at the beginning of our Divine Service ... but what do we mean by it?
Quite simply, it’s the recognition that God has already forgiven you of all of your sins ... from the smallest white-lie to all the anger or hatred that you have shown against your neighbor. Through Holy Baptism, God has forgiven all your sin through the cross of Jesus Christ, and his righteousness has been given to you. Connected to Christ, you ... personally ... have been freed from the dominion of sin, and therefore you are free from the dominion of death in His resurrection. Whether we were infants or older, all who have been baptized can be comforted in the work God has completed for them.
So remember your baptism ... that when you wake up in the morning, you cross yourself and remember that because of Christ, God has washed you in the waters of rebirth and renewal of the Holy Spirit by His Word and promise ... that His deeds are done because He is God and what He does can never be revoked. You can then live out your day ... not ever perfectly ... and return to your bed; crossing yourself once more and thanking God that his grace has increased over and above any sin.
That’s Paul’s purpose in this passage from Romans ... that Baptism is more than just a symbol, but it actually does something for you. It is God’s Working on and for you, uniting you to the atoning blood of Christ on the cross, and raising you into a renewal of life.
Having the assurance and promise of God’s grace to each of you personally, Paul begins with a rhetorical question.
What, then, shall we say? May we continue in sin in order that grace may abound? God forbid it!
Think of this as a father/child relationship. When the child disobeys his father, the father first rebukes, then forgives, and follows up with teaching! In this newly given, unearned grace, the child ought to desire to do better ... to bring joy to the father ... to use this newness of life given to him in thanksgiving for the father’s gift.
None of us would think too highly of a child who would misuse or take advantage of the father’s grace. Most would deride the child who continues to bring misery and heartache to his father, rather than being built up in the love and wisdom of the father.
This is the same attitude that exists between you and God, Your heavenly and eternal Father. We who died to sin, how will we still live in it? Or do you not know that, all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus, were baptized into his death? We were buried with him, therefore, by baptism into his death. As Christ was numbered with the sinners in receiving John’s baptism, so in your Baptism, by God’s hands, you are numbered as one who shares in Christ’s death and burial. The wages of sin is death ... and Christ is the one who died. The baptismal waters, connected with God’s Word and promise, came over you. Christ’s cross shines through in all its glory, rebuking your sin, forgiving you, and teaching you the ways which God your Father desires. As a baptized child, you share in Christ’s cross, tomb, and resurrection. You are removed from sin and given a new life from the most gracious of all Fathers because of the glory of His own Son. Appealing to Him, you are given a share of His resurrection, the newness of life.
We were buried with him, therefore, by baptism into his death, in order that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, so also we may walk in a renewal of life
Sin has no hold on you. Satan has no claim on you. You have already died and risen again in the blessed and holy waters of God’s baptismal waters. This is the life of Christ for you, freed from the suffering and misery of sin ... your eternal life does not begin at your grave, it began in your baptism!
Our lives ought to be like the renewed child earlier. Hearing his father’s rebuke and correction, the child ought to take it to heart. Seeing, hearing, and receiving the mercy of his father, he ought to please him and bring him joy and peace in his work of raising him. The child no longer wants to hear, What is this that you have done, but rather, In you, I am well pleased.
So God teaches you in His commandments how you ought to live in this new life given to you. Through His Holy Spirit in Word and Sacrament, you receive the constant strength and wisdom to do those things which He desires ... that in Him you are preserved in the one true faith. Responding to His Word and Grace, you therefore live in thanksgiving with the newness and renewal of life through His work in your upbringing.
This work is shown in compassionate hearts, kindness, and patience. Assisting one another, reminding each other of God’s work in Baptism and extending His Grace in Word and Sacrament to your neighbors and friends.
What beautiful grace!
The gift of God through Christ that removes misery and pain, not shifting in hope, but living in the Gospel. Remember your baptism, when God embraced You in the life of His perfect Son. Just as Christ is risen from the dead, never to die again, so also you who are baptized into His cross and empty tomb.
So also you, consider yourselves to be dead to sin and living to God in Christ Jesus.
Christ Jesus united himself to your curse of death in his Baptism. He defeated sin with his suffering and death on the cross, a baptism of blood that was shed to cover all sin. Risen again, he has defeated death for you.
Remember your Baptism when sin terrifies your conscience. When you wonder if God is pleased with you, if he really cares: Remember your baptism ... In Christ, He is well-pleased. When Satan’s temptations and the pleasures of the world try to lure you away, remember your baptism and His fulfillment of all righteousness. When you don’t know what to do or how to feel ... as you grieve for others and raise up your prayers to God ... remember your baptism and the precious treasures of forgiveness and heaven that He has already given to you for the sake of His Son.
You have put on Christ. It is no longer you who live, but Christ who lives in you! A life that is lived in the grace of God, knowing that this grace is superabundant, never failing, and always overflowing for you every day. Sin has no hold on you; Satan has no claim on you; you are dead to sin ... and alive to God in Christ.
That is what we mean by “remember your baptism.” The old man has drowned and died with all sin and evil desires and a new man has emerged to live before God in righteousness and purity forever. Christ’s life has become your life. Christ’s death has become your death. Christ’s righteousness raises you up from the pit, sets you firmly on the land, and makes you righteous.
God’s Work in His Word and Promise for your forgiveness and life is found in Baptism. You have received His abundant grace ... and it never runs out. You never dry off. You continue in His teaching and are reminded that Christ is the one who died, who is risen, and has blessed you in forgiveness and life, now and forevermore. Amen.