6/26/12 Baptized for Good work

¹¹ In him you were also circumcised, in the putting off of the sinful nature, not with a circumcision done by the hands of men but with the circumcision done by Christ, ¹² having been buried with him in baptism and raised with him through your faith in the power of God, who raised him from the dead.

 Thoughts: Here circumcision (Old Testament) is linked with baptism (New Testament).  They both are initiation rites at the beginning of the Christian life. They both are symbols of being cleansed (reproach rolled away, sin washed away- "putting off the sinful nature").  They both are symbols of faith and being in the community of faith.  Baptism, however, was administered to both Jews and Gentiles, slave and free, male and female.  
    Both are not symbols of just a state of being but are reminders that we are called by God with a purpose to do something with our lives.  The prophets would often say "circumcise your hearts."  Many over the years say, "Remember your baptism!"  They are calls to live purposefully not selfishly or immorally.  Christians have seen baptism as a symbol of their mission to serve- they are baptized to go out into the world and baptize- and to teach and serve as disciples (Mt. 28:18-20). 
    So proud of all those who went out yesterday to work on the Goodworks Blitz- helping with housing and improving the infrastructure of Goodworks so that others may be helped. 


Prayer: Help me to remember my baptism and serve you today.