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All day long with JesusSunday, March 1, 2009
Psalm 25:7-11
1 Peter 3:18-22
He was put to death in the body but made alive by the Spirit, through whom also he went and preached to the spirits in prison who disobeyed long ago when God waited patiently in the days of Noah while the ark was being built. In it only a few people, eight in all, were saved through water, and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also--not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a good conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ, who has gone into heaven and is at God's right hand--with angels, authorities and powers in submission to him.
So ... as I read the last sentence of the texts, I get it a little more clearly that none of those acts of submission and repentance on my part does any saving at all. "It (my baptism) saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ." My repentance is partial and temporary. I keep on sinning: oh what a wretched man I am. Surely not you, too! I think I can safely say that our repentance is partial and temporary, no matter how earnest. God substitutes Jesus' righteousness for my sin and failure. That is my salvation. God rubs this healing balm on the wounds of my selfishness, and I am clean. And that goes for every one of us. Show me your ways, O Lord, teach me your paths; guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long. |
I pledge my conscience toward you, God. I earnestly desire to live my life justly, offering mercy and humility to all. I have marked that pledge with baptism and many prayers for you to renew your spirit within me. I receive your body and blood into my self. I accept your forgiveness, as best I can, and claim your promise to set me free.