November 2009
Lately there has been a big increase in the number of parents enquiring about baptism. Parents desire their new baby to be baptised into the Christian faith, and to know God’s blessing on their lives. This arises out of their love for their child, and their desire therefore that their infant may have the benefit of God’s presence and love as they make their way in life. Parents though have the responsibility of making vows and commitments on behalf of the child, and promise to bring the child up in the Christian faith, and also to set an example of Christian living in the home. All this is explained to the parents as part of the preparation for baptism.
Yet all of us have the responsibility to live out the Christian faith within our lives, and to allow the principles and standards of the faith to shape the way we live each day. It is so easy to stand up in church and join in the words of The Creed, but the Christian faith is more about applying the faith, which the Creed speaks about, in every aspect of our lives. We don’t keep our faith reserved for Sunday alone, but take it with us into the work place, among our family and friends, and wherever else we may happen to be. It isn’t always easy, though, and all of us face problems, difficulties, and challenges at various times, and in different situations.
Sometimes there can be the temptation to take a short cut, to find an easier way to deal with a difficult situation, rather than follow the longer, more troublesome path which is indicated by the Christian faith. Short cuts can so often seem an easier route to take, to be less laborious and more straight forward, and to offer easier options. In the short-term, it may seem a wise and sensible move to take, and the desire to do so may be very strong. This is where the teaching and the guidance and understanding that we have learned in past times concerning the Christian way will stand us in good stead. When we have a solid foundation of faith to base our lives on, and we have learned over the years the values and the characteristics of Christian living, it will help to guide us along the path which the Christian faith would have us take.
Short cuts can seem attractive, and more inviting, but they inevitably lead us astray, so that we end up completely lost, and needing to be rescued. When we stick to the path mapped out for us, a path already opened up by Jesus in His life on earth, and shown to be the true path, through His death, resurrection and ascension, we know that we will not go wrong. We live in an age when so much is promised to make things easier for us, but there is no short cut to Christian living. Parents need to know it, but we all need to be aware that the Christian path is a journey we make with the Lord Jesus Christ as our companion and guide, and with the power of the Holy Spirit to keep us true to the Lord in each situation we face.
“Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the Gospel of Christ.”
Philippians 1 : 27