Dive In!

Some of you have been Christians your whole life. Others are relatively new to Christianity. In either case, how do you view the Christian life? Have you immersed yourself in the baptismal grace that is yours in Jesus Christ? Do you splash around daily in the new life He gives you to live? Or are you content dipping in your toes when you need a little spiritual refreshing?

The blessings of forgiveness, life, and salvation Christ gave you in Holy Baptism are as vast and endless as the ocean. In that water you were baptized into His death and resurrection. You died there and were raised to newness of life. And yet, many have become so comfortable in this world and its ways that they want little to do with the new life Christ purchased for them at the price of His very own blood.

Think of it this way. A bunch of kids go to a lake to swim. One of them dips his toes in the water and cries out: “It’s cold! I’m not going in.” Another goes in up to his ankles and says the same thing. Some may even go in up to their knees. Then comes the kid who runs down the dock and dives in head first. It’s fearfully chilly. His blood is pumping. It even stings at first. But in no time his head emerges and he exclaims: “It’s awesome! Come on in!”

This analogy isn’t perfect. For starters, we don’t take the initiative on living the Christian life. Christ does that! But the Christian faith is much like a swim. Many are happy to walk around in the shallow waters of Christianity, barely getting their toes or ankles or knees wet. There they stand, shivering in the cold air of the world they are afraid to leave behind. But that’s not Christianity. Being a disciple of Christ means taking up your cross and following Him day in and day out. To return to the analogy, it means diving in and swimming around in the grace and mercy and forgiveness He provides on a daily basis. Is it cold? Will it sting? Almost certainly. Living the Christian life is not an easy calling. It involves daily crucifying the sinful flesh and living in the baptismal grace with which Christ has washed you.

So dive in. Take the plunge into the river of life. Swim around in His grace. Drink deeply of His mercy. Be a Christian! This is not your own doing, but God’s doing in you. He has already washed you clean and claimed you as His own dear child. Don’t walk away from it. Live as His child!

“There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy habitation of the Most High.” [Psalm 46:4]

“If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink.” [John 7:37]

“Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.” [Hebrews 10:22]

“The Lamb in the midst of the throne will be their Shepherd, and He will guide them to springs of living water, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.” [Revelation 7:17]

Being a Christian does not mean a life free of trial and tribulation. Yet, you have Christ’s promise that He will see you through those trials and tribulations in the strength of His Word and presence.

Don’t dip your toes into Christianity and then complain it’s not what you hoped or expected or wanted. God Himself says you need it. So dive in. Live daily from every Word that proceeds from Christ’s mouth. Be fed regularly with His true body and blood. Swim daily in His gifts and splash His grace onto everyone you encounter in your various vocations. Living the baptismal life may take some getting used to (the Old Adam doesn’t drown easily), but our gracious Lord will show you over and over again how refreshing such a swim in His sacred flood is.