As time goes on and the end of life approaches many troubling things may happen. One of these things is the possibility of becoming so feeble minded that I forget Christ. Through accident, stroke or dementia it may be that I will not recall him someday. What then is my hope should this occur?
Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death?
(Romans 6:3 ESV)
This is one of the most strong and precious promises Our Lord, through the Apostle Paul, gives us. In Baptism I have already died to sin and are no longer under condemnation for it. Through this gracious gift Our Father has placed his name upon me and all his Baptized children.
This is certainty beyond compare. Rather than false security when a person recalls that through Baptism they are received into the family of Christ it is a strong testimony of firm trust in the promises of Christ. Jesus has linked his death to us in Baptism. We can therefore walk in newness of life forsaking our selfish ways by drowning our inner brat, recalling this strong Sacramental work of Christ for us.
If accident, old age or illness robs a person of his or her recollection of this promise Our Lord certainly does not. He has taken our salvation so seriously he bore our sin to the cross thereby removing condemnation from us. We can hardly expect he would withdraw from us when we are feeble and weak and can not remember him.
Trust this good news and live in its peace. Amen. †
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