In Baptism, we receive faith – the free gift of God. In that washing, our old self is drowned and we are raised from death into a new life. That is the beginning of our life in Christ. As you go about your week, begin each day by making the sign of the cross on your forehead and remember your baptism. This means to remember that God has called you, by name, to be His child and walk in His ways.
“What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? Who shall bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? As it is written,
‘For your sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.’
– Romans 8:31–39.
No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
– Romans 8:31-39
Just as God makes life, He preserves life. Life in Christ means to be confronted with the broken world. It means we confess our sins and receive the forgiveness Christ Jesus gives. It also means that we are never far from the love of God. Jesus became man to bring God’s gifts to you.
God is now located in the Means of Grace (Communion, Baptism, Absolution) and in His Word, Holy Scripture. What comfort can the close proximity of God bring to you in times of stress or trial?
The following prayer is Luther’s Morning Prayer. This week, say this prayer, one sentence at a time, pausing to reflect on the meaning and significance of the words. If this prayer is new to you, you are encouraged to memorize it.
In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. I thank you, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, Your dear Son, that You have kept me this night from all harm and danger; and I pray that You would keep me this day also from sin and every evil, that all my doings and life may please You. For into Your hands I commend myself, my body and soul, and all things. Let Your holy angel be with me, that the evil foe may have no power over me. Amen.
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