By: Kevin Alleyne
Colossians 2:12 (NIV): having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through your faith in the working of God, who raised him from the dead.
Baptism is a sacred act, a symbol of spiritual rebirth, and a significant milestone in a believer’s journey. In Colossians 2:12, we are reminded of the profound truth that, in baptism, we are buried with Christ and raised through our faith in God. This simple yet profound act holds deep spiritual significance and offers a powerful lesson for our daily lives.
Consider, for a moment, the act of baptism. It is immersion in water, symbolizing our old self being buried and a new self emerging. As we descend into the water, we let go of the past, the mistakes, and the burdens that weigh us down. We rise from the water, cleansed, and renewed in spiritóthe start in our journey of faith.
In our everyday lives, we often carry the weight of our past, our regrets, and our fears. We may carry grudges, guilt, and/or the burdens of past mistakes. We hesitate to let go and move forward, just as we sometimes struggle to truly embrace the new life offered through Christ.
Baptism teaches us that we have the opportunity to start anew. In the same way we emerge from the waters of baptism, we can rise from the challenges of life. We have the power to let go of our old selves; by placing our faith in God’s transformative work, we can choose to live a life led by grace, love, and forgiveness.
As we face the struggles and uncertainties of each day, let us remember the symbolism of baptism. Let us remind ourselves that we have a chance to start fresh, no matter the challenges we have encountered in the past. We can leave behind those things and situations that hold us back and, with faith in God’s grace, rise to meet each day with hope, courage, and the assurance that we are not defined by our past.
Baptism is not a one-time eventóit is a lesson for a lifetime. It teaches us to bury our burdens, to rise above our past, and to walk in faith, knowing that God’s grace and love are ever-present to guide us. Embrace each new day with the spirit of baptism in your heart, knowing that you are a new creation in Christ!
