Pastor's Corner
Use it Well!
On Pentecost Sunday we not only celebrated the coming of the Holy Spirit, but also the confirmation of four young adult members. During the confirmation public examination, we sang several hymns which related to a portion of our Small Catechism. When it came to the section on “Baptism,” we sang a portion of a hymn with two of the stanzas below (please note the sectioned I underlined):
O Christian, firmly hold this gift
And give God thanks forever!
It gives the power to uplift
In all that you endeavor.
When nothing else revives your soul,
Your baptism stands and makes you whole
And then in death completes you.So use it well! You are made new –
In Christ a new creation . . .“All Christians who Have Been Baptized” #596 st. 5 & 6,
Lutheran Service Book
When it comes to baptism, we usually think of it as something we do to infants and then . . . that’s it! What struck me about the above hymn is that it says, in regard to baptism, we are to “use it well.” We may wonder, “how on earth do I ‘use’ baptism? In fact, how do I use it ‘well’? What does this mean?” That’s a good question. When it comes to the actual rite of baptism, there is a point it starts and ends. But the benefits of baptism are ongoing. In fact, I prefer to say we Christians have a baptismal life in Christ, and that baptismal life continues to happen every single day.
The above hymn encourages us to “use it [baptism] well.” We may ask, “How do I use [my baptismal life] well?” How about this: When I sin, I can remember Christ poured His sacrificial blood over me in the waters of baptism; I am forgiven. How do I use it well? When I am tempted, I remember Christ made me a new creation in baptism, I am literally a new person and am no longer forced to follow my sin ever again. How do I use it well? When there are struggles and fights with others, I know I can forgive them just like Christ forgave me. How do I use it well? Maybe the greatest way is when death occurs, I can remember Christ has made me His own. I have been united with Him through baptism into death (Romans 6). And if my baptism has united me with His death, then it will certainly also unite me with His resurrection! (Romans 6)
Baptism is never done and over with. We truly have a baptismal life, so use it well every, single day!
-- Pastor Grimenstein
