September 2

We are buried with Christ by Baptism into death, that, like as He was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. Romans 6:4.

Christ died, died our death, the death that is the wages of our sin. But He was raised from the dead and lives. In this new life of His He no longer has any connection with our sins. He died unto sin once, in our stead, for us. He now lives unto God.

Now, in Baptism we put on Christ. We are buried with Him by Baptism into death. We are, as it were, crucified with Him. Through Baptism, Christ and His vicarious death are imputed to us so perfectly that God looks upon us as if we ourselves had died and been buried for our sins.

Now, God has not given such grace to let sin reign in our mortal bodies, but we should also know and believe that we are buried with Christ by Baptism into death for the purpose "that, like as He was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life." Thus, too, in Baptism, like Christ, we are made alive, alive unto God. We should not yield our members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin, but yield ourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead.

All this is signified by our entering into, and coming out of, the baptismal water. Baptism should signify to us, and always remind us of the fact, "that the old Adam in us should by daily contrition and repentance be drowned and die with all sins and evil lusts and, again, a new man daily come forth and arise, who shall live before God in righteousness and purity forever." Thus we Christians should daily rise from our sins, walk and grow before God in true faith and good works.

What an incentive we have, then, to lead a holy life because in Baptism we have been buried with Christ into death! This doctrine of Holy Baptism will not produce secure sinners, as some people think. Constant watchfulness is required, lest the Old Man, after all, regain the mastery over us. He may seem buried in us, but suddenly he rises, ready to assume control. We must daily return to Christ, the Source of all spiritual strength. Our Christian life must be a daily renewal of the baptismal grace.

Prayer.

Most merciful Father, we humbly beseech Thee to grant that, being dead unto sin and living unto righteousness and being buried with Christ in His death, we may crucify the Old Man and utterly abolish the whole body of sin; and that, as we are made partakers of the death of Thy Son, we may also be made partakers of His resurrection, so that finally, with all the members of Thy holy Church, we may inherit Thine everlasting kingdom; through Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, to whom we daily return for

forgiveness and whom we implore for strength to sin no more.

Now one with God through Christ, our Lord, Our life a song of praise shall be, No jarring note, no broken chord, Can mar or end the melody; For, crucified with Christ, we rise To life with Him that never dies.