Catechism: Old Adam and New Man
The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, A broken and a contrite heart— These, O God, You will not despise. Psalms 51:17
The waters of Lake Michigan are usually quite chilly. You have to steel your nerves before taking the plunge, yet you get used to it quickly. Then once you come out and warm up in the sun, it’s awfully hard to get back in. Kids don’t seem to notice this. My kids think nothing of going in and coming out dozens of times.
We should have that same childlike attitude when it comes to repeatedly plunging into the waters of our baptism. Baptism was the moment for most Christians when their Old Adam was first drowned and the Holy Spirit first created in them a New Man. Yet, since the Old Man still clings to us—since we still sin daily—we need to keep diving into those saving waters.
Martin Luther explains in the Small Catechism that baptism means “that the Old Adam in us should be drowned by daily contrition (sorrow over sin) and repentance (turning from sin to Christ) and die with all sins and evil desires.” Though King David lived before the institution of baptism, he knew God loved the sacrifice of sinners admitting their daily sins and turning to Him for salvation.
It’s always worth it once you jump into one of the Great Lakes. How much more refreshing is it to wash away your Old Adam in the living waters of baptism! Sure, sorrow over and confession of sins is painful, but nothing compares to the comfort God gives to broken and contrite hearts for the sake of the death and resurrection of His Son. Dive into the waters of your baptism every day!
Holy Spirit, remind me every day of my sinfulness so that I may turn to You for help. Remind me daily also of my baptism when all my sins were washed away. Amen.