the sign of a promise

Today at church a baby was baptized. This was a precious, innocent little baby girl beautifully dressed in her white lace baptismal gown. The preacher opened his comments with "I have some bad news for baby X. She has been born into a broken world. The world is brutal and will seek to harm her in many ways. In fact baby X will actually contribute to this brokenness with her own self centeredness."

I admit this is not the typical feel good infant baptism, but he was correct. The world is fallen, dominated by the Prince of this world, who works against God's purposes. We are all born with a sin inheritance, in bondage to self worship and gratification. I am sure the mom and dad of this infant already know how baby X desires to get her own needs met above the convenience and well being of her parents.

So what is purpose of the baptism? Obviously the child is not old enough to make a decision for Christ. She knows basically nothing compared to what she'll learn across her life time.

Baptism is a sign of what God promises baby X. Her parents want for God's sign of promise to be placed on her as she begins her life. No one but God knows her path, her decisions, her love for Him or not. However, we all who witnessed the baptism know that she has been committed to His promise with the sign of baptism. She will never have to live another day absent the knowledge of His promises.

God promises to protect her soul, to guard her heart. He does not promise the world will not create difficult circumstances for her, but that no circumstance can separate her from Him. He promises that she has all the privileges and provisions of the Heavenlies, His Kingdom, awaiting her and sealed for eternity. He promises that He will even love her forever no matter what kind of mess she makes.

Oh, BTW, her baptism reminds many of us that we too have been sealed with the sign of His promises. We may not be too good about keeping our promises, but He is perfect at it.

Good thing to ponder .......