It`s hard, sometimes, to understand what it means to be a Christian, just as it was hard for the Early Church to understand what Jesus achieved through his death and Resurrection. They were entrusted with an amazing message for the world and they had to work out how to communicate that message. They were blessed in having St. Paul, so great a communicator, who was able, in the help of the Holy Spirit, to interpret the Gospel.

Our Epistle reading from Romans 6 is one such explanation.

Paul tells us that coming to faith is all about new life. The early church used baptism as a sign that something completely new had happened as someone comes to faith.

Baptism is a graphic picture of someone dying to an old life, rising again to a new. To watch a baptism is to see someone `drowning` to an old life, lifted up and risen to a new life. The picture of baptism links to what Jesus has done for us: dying and rising again. As we come to faith, the same thing happens to us. We are considered dead to the old life and are risen again to a new one. Romans 6:4-5: `We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead, through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we will certainly also be united with him in a resurrection like his.`

Baptism is a specific step which can`t be undone. Our coming to Christ in faith is a step which cannot be taken from us. We live the Christlife now and for ever. For some, that coming to Christ is marked by baptism. For others it will be Confirmation. For others it will be a scrappy note kept in the back of our bible detailing the fact that we were serious about coming to Christ and we made a note of the date of that decision. Our step of commitment strengthens our faith: Matthew 10:39: `whoever loses their life for my sake will find it.` The words of Jesus in John 10:27-28 are clear: `My sheep listen to my voice; I know them and they follow me. I give them eternal life and they shall never perish; no-one can snatch them out of my Father`s hand.` As we are serious about our faith and commitment, so the Holy Spirit works in us to confirm what has happened. To follow Christ means great cost, as our Gospel reminds us. There are harsh words in Matthew 10:37: `Anyone who loves their father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves their son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. Whoever does not take up their cross and follow me is not worthy of me.` But Jesus` promise is sure in verse 39: `whoever loses their life for my sake will find it.`

We are of course aware of our own shortcomings and failure. The more we progress in the Christian life, the more we see sin in our own lives. How can we make real the salvation which Jesus promises?

It`s important that we remember that the spiritual war is won through Christ but we continue to face the battles in the `now and not yet` time of the Kingdom. We continue to sin but we persevere, to become what we already are in Christ, died and risen.

We are to hold fast to the certainty of the death and resurrection of Christ and celebrate the new life begun in us.

Above all, as we come to the Lord`s Table, we hold fast to the Gospel of grace and to the kindness of our God. We shall fail, but we are held safe in Christ, with him died and risen. Julian of Norwich; `In this endless love man`s soul is kept safe. .. In this endless love we are led and looked after by God and never shall be lost. For he wills that we should know our soul to be alive, and that this life - through his goodness and grace –shall continue in heaven without end, loving him, thanking him and praising him.`

Here is our hymn:

`There`s a wideness in God`s mercy, like the wideness of the sea; there`s a kindness in his justice, which is more than liberty. There is no place where earth`s sorrows are more felt than up in heaven; there is no place where earth`s failings have such kindly judgment given. For the love of God is broader than the scope of human mind, and the heart of the Eternal is most wonderfully kind.`

(Revd.) Pat Hopkins