The Power of Words

I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit…
Child of the covenant, you have been sealed by the Holy Spirit in baptism, marked as Christ’s own forever.

These are the words with which we are baptized. Sacred words. Powerful words. They are sacred and powerful because they acknowledge our new identity in Christ. What are we to do in response to this overwhelming grace of God? Paul gives us a sampling of ‘Rules for the New Life,’ in his letter to the Romans.

Let no evil talk come out of your mouths, but only what is useful for building up, as there is need, so that your words may give grace to those who hear.
And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with which you were marked with a seal for the day of redemption.
Put away from you all bitterness and wrath and anger and wrangling and slander, together with all malice, and be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ has forgiven you. (Romans 4:29-32)

Never underestimate the power of words. They have the power to define us. They have the power to heal and to destroy. May the words spoken at your baptism serve to shape your words now and forever.

See you Sunday!
Missy