But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!” So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God.
Galatians 4:4–7, ESV
In the waters of baptism, we are adopted by God as His children, His heirs. This is the promise that we receive through Christ and His sacrifice. Prior to the coming of Christ, the people of Israel were given the promise that was given through Moses to the people of Israel with all the rules and expectations set by God that needed to be fulfilled to satisfy God’s holy nature. But as Christ gave the Holy Spirit and established baptism as a means, we find a new promise. Christ died in order that all who believe and are baptized would be saved and restored to righteousness, not through their own power but through Christ. The Law doesn’t protect us as it was once meant to protect us, but it does show us the need that we all have for a Savior. None of us can keep the Law, but we can all be kept in Christ. The adoption we receive is something that can not be taken from us because it is of God, and as long as we cling to the promise, we have hope in the promise given of eternal life in the kingdom of God because we have been made sons and daughters. We are born again into the promises given to Abraham and become promised children. For this reason, as children of God, we carry the promise with us out into the world that all those chosen by God may come to the waters and receive that gift of new life. No longer are we to walk in fear but in boldness, knowing that our past sins have no power over us, but we have been recreated and renewed as we continually walk in those waters and know the reception that has been given to us as children of God.
Let us pray. I thank you, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, your dear Son, that you have kept me this night from all harm and danger, and I ask you to protect me this day also from sin and every evil, that in all I do today, I may please you. For into your hands, I commend myself, my body and soul, and all that is mine. Let your holy angel watch over me, that the wicked foe have no power over me. Amen.