My colleague and friend Richard Topping has said: “No one who is baptized is without work to do.”*

There are times when that work is some sort of official ministry. Maybe you’re a youth group helper, teacher, prayer warrior, behind-the-scener, or another kind of God-honouring volunteer.

There are also times when we are already doing the work which flows from our baptism, but we’ve simply neglected to think of it in those terms: raising kingdom kids, caring for an aging parent or sick friend, or being a light at school or in the workplace.

In Galatians 3:27 (ESV) Paul says: “For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.”

When you “put on” Christ, you’re not simply changing outfits. With God’s help, you’re putting on the behaviours of the One who has invited you forward, called you by name, commissioned you, and given you all good things. And, most importantly, you are able to stand before God “clothed” with the righteousness of Jesus. You are made right with him, not because of what you’ve done, but because of what Jesus has done on your behalf. What a gift!

You’re not perfect and you often fail or fall. But the Maker of heaven and earth isn’t thwarted by the imperfections of his troops. He has a way of picking them up off the floor and re-setting their trajectory every single day.

Wake up. Bless. Rest. Repeat.

“No one who is baptized is without work to do.”

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Notes:

–The Up Devotional is published 5 days a week (Monday-Friday) and returns on September 20th, 2021.

–In a sermon called “Something About Mary” delivered by the Rev. Dr. Richard Topping to the General Assembly of The Presbyterian Church in Canada on June 8, 2021.

–Bible quotes are from the NIV.