Count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus. (Rom 6:11 NIV)

Jesus lives. What he is living, he is living for God. The same holds true for us. After we have died together with Christ on the cross, we now live with him. Even if this life with him often seems more hope than reality, then this hope is growing yet and becoming more and more of a certainty as we move along. Still there are many, who deem this to be just a distant vision of an even further utopia even though they have been called by their holy Baptism to live in confident assurance of this living faith even now. And too many look for superior grace while ignoring the means of grace, that pour out this grace in richest measure like a stream of water flowing along the way making this grace easily available and with it life and salvation. How often does a friend lament his insecurity concerning his own salvation and that he unsure of his faith and connection with Jesus Christ, while the testimonial of baptism received long ago is there all along? The baptismal grace, which has been his since it was received by God’s goodness and mercy in that sacramental flood and washing is the passport to the divine peace and lively communion and fellowship with Christ. It is yours to use and enjoy. It is enough to awaken and strengthen our faith, it suffices to bring forth gratitude and love in richest measure and without any noise or commotion moves God’s people by these sacrificial means of grace to the ultimate destination in heaven.

Holy and unsearchable God, Lord divine and supreme! We laud and praise you for revealing yourself to us in your glory and goodness through your son Jesus Christ. We thank you for making us your children in holy Baptism and thus liberating us to a life in peace and joyful confidence under your gracious and merciful reign. We confess that we have ignored and ignored this your grace far too often, loosing out on its multiple benefits. Lord, don’t punish us as we deserve. Don’t hide your gracious countenance from us – even if it would serve us right. We trust only in your great and never ending mercy and rely solely on the gracious forgiveness of your Son Jesus Christ – our Lord – to be saved now and forever. Pour out your Holy Spirit over us in richest measure, that we are renewed, sanctified, enlightened and comforted to put all our hope on the coming glory until we see it by your providence and care. Amen. (H. Greiner)

All who believe and are baptized Shall see the Lord’s salvation; Baptized into the death of Christ, They are anew creation; Through Christ’s redemption they will stand Among the glorious heavenly band Of every tribe and nation.

With one accord, O God, we pray, Grant us your Holy Spirit; Help us in our infirmity Through Jesus’ blood and merit; Grant us to grow in grace each day By holy Baptism that we may Eternal life inherit. (Thomas Hansen Kingo, 1634-1703 tr George A.T.Rygh, 1860-1942)

This is a rather free translation of Wilhelm Löhe’s devotion for Saturday after the sixth Sunday after the high holiday and festival of the Holy Trinity. It is found on Pg. 263 in Lob sei Dir ewig, o Jesu!   (Eternal Praise to you o Jesus!) edited by A. Schuster and published in the Freimund Verlag, Neuendettelsau 1949.