Tuesday, 9 April, 2002

I appeal to you therefore, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God - what is good and acceptable and perfect. Romans 12:1-2

For by the grace given to me to say to everyone among you not to think of yourself more highly than you ought to think, but to think with a sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned. Romans 12:3



But...make sure you think enough of yourself! Yes, it is quite easy for many folks to become inflated and infatuated with themselves, but too many people need to simply remember their Baptism. In the adult class dealing with Luther's Small Catechism the group is just now tackling Baptism. I want to quote a piece here:



To appreciate and use Baptism aright, we must draw strength and comfort from it when our sins or conscience oppress us, and we must retort. But I am baptized! And if I am baptized, I have the promise that I shall be saved and have eternal life, both in soul and body.”



Our baptism is our point of identity. It is for us the full amount of who we are and that upon which we can stand and face any foe in any time. To think of ourselves as beloved of God and claimed in our baptism is the grand way we are to encounter our world. In that way, we will not be inflated fools who are so turned-in-on-ourselves that we cannot be concerned with the welfare of all. Our Baptism identifies us as one of God's saved and saving people. Wow. That's a position from whice we are called to great acts of justice, compassion, loving kindness and yes, humility.



Connection: I am baptized. Let that truth be the word that transforms your mind and life today. I will change how we see others and the way we look at ourselves. Theological and liturgical words and actions always have a practical life application - or else they are of no use to God's creation.



Lord you have chosen us and you send us into this day as though we are to simply be who you see us to be - your beloved. Too often we do not want to settle for that identity and in our search for other titles we walk away from your power for life. Let you Holy Spirit hold tightly onto our lives so that we may be shaped by your holy Word. Amen.