"Our first and most important death"

Wednesday, June 18, 2014

Scripture

For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we will certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his. (Romans 6:5)

Reflection

We are entering into a summer in Romans. Here we have the Apostle Paul’s classic text on baptism. Paul would insist that baptism is a dramatic, life-changing—rather, life-ending and life-beginning—event. Our “old Adam” is put to death and we are raised up a child of God. In baptism, we have already died to ourselves; thus the death we ultimately experience is secondary to the death of ourselves in baptism.

These are astonishing words! I often wonder if parents know what they’re up to when they present their children for baptism. It’s hardly an event to sleep through!

Prayer

Gracious God, Thank you for claiming me as your child and for raising me up to newness of life in baptism. Renew me in the faith every day! In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Pastor David