I stumbled rather clumsily across a thought-provoking passage in Richard Baxter's "A Call to the Unconverted." Relating to baptism, he says that as the "first entrance into Christianity," this is an "engagement to proceed." From the time that the waters are applied to us in Trinitarian baptism, we are obliged to walk with Christ and grow in Him.
We have been engaged, as in firmly committed to a contract. We do not have the option of acting in a manner which neglects the engagement or flatly contradicts it. Whenever we are tempted toward any sin, whether despair, doubt, or dastardly deeds, we ought to remember our baptism. We cannot Americanize our commitment and act like we have the freedom to pick and choose when we feel like upholding our commitments.
The reality of the promises conferred by God in baptism leave us with no choice but to act faithfully when we consider our engagement.
We should hear a very clear voice, hopefully the audible voice of a loving brother: "Sir, if you carry on in this faithlessness without repentance, you mock God and His Church; but God is True, and you are the liar if you reject His grace and longsuffering!"
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