Scripture reading: Galatians 2:19–21

Death by Drowning

A Personal Paraphrase of Romans 6:1–13

Question: What does baptizing with water signify?

Answer: It signifies that the old Adam in us should, by daily contrition and repentance, be drowned and die with all sins and evil lusts, and a new man daily come forth and arise; who shall live before God in righteousness and purity forever. (Luther’s Small Catechism).

OK, let me put this as clearly as I know how. Some of you think that because God’s grace is so rich and free, you can live any old way you jolly well please. “What’s the big deal?” you say to yourself. “God loves me unconditionally. I can do whatever I want.” Do you even understand the basic rudiments of salvation? Frankly, when you talk like that I sometimes wonder if you are Christians at all!

You died to sin! Didn’t you know that? So how is it possible to keep living like the devil? Weren’t you paying attention during your baptism? When the pastor dunked you in the water, didn’t you know what it meant? He was killing the old man, drowning him! At your baptism service you had the privilege of attending your own funeral. But if you have forgotten that part of your baptism, you probably forgot the other part too. The ceremony is not just about death. More importantly, it is about life! In Christ, death makes you a candidate for resurrection. See, you have to die to live. That’s not so much a command as it is simply a description of how things work. Just as God raised Jesus so he wants to raise you . . . that is, assuming you’re dead!

Think of it like this. The “old man” is that part of you that behaves like the first Adam, causing you to live in unbelief, rebellion and sin. At your baptism that rascal died . . . rather he was killed! He was held under the water until he drowned. Then he was nailed to the cross just as Jesus was. I mean to tell you the “old man” in you is dead as a doornail. And if he’s dead then you don’t have to listen to him anymore or do what he tells you. Temptations to sin have no power over a corpse! Listen brother, the old man is dead, dead, dead. So why on earth is he still alive and kicking?

There’s more. It gets better. If you are dead in Christ (buckle your seat belt), then you can live in Christ too. Just as Jesus rose from the dead to never die again, you can too. Just like Christ came out of the grave in victorious power, so you can come up out of the water of baptism to live a brand new life! Here’s my point. Be what you are. You are dead, dead to sin. Sin no longer has any power over you. But you are also alive, alive to God. Your salvation is a done deal. What more could God do to save you than he has already done? So live like it! Sin is not your master, God is. The “old man” is dead, crucified, drowned. Remember? So stop offering your body parts to sin and start offering them to God!

Oh, to be saved from myself, dear Lord, oh,
to be lost in Thee; Oh, that it might be no
more I, but Christ that lives in me.
—Ada A. Whiddington

point to ponder • Why is it so hard to be what you are?

prayer focus • “Lord, help me to be what I am.”