Some people see baptism as a nice ceremony, a welcome into the church.  It is, but far more than that.  The immersion-baptism of the New Testament tells an important story: to the new believer, the church, God, the world and the devil.  In the Bible, water is not only a picture of life and salvation, but also of death, separation and judgement as in the flood (2 Peter 3:5-7), the Red Sea crossing (Exodus 14:21-31), and Jonah (Jonah 1:8-16).  Each of those narratives shows that God saves through the water those who trust in Him, and also judges those who stand against Him.

The water of baptism is a symbol of a grave in which we identify with Jesus Christ in His death.  Going under the water says that we deserved to die for our sins, but trust that He died instead of us.  Under the water, we identify with His burial and declare all our sins buried (Micah 7:19).  Coming out of the water we declare that as Jesus was raised from the dead, He gives us a new life.  2 Corinthians 5:15 puts it like this: "And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again."

So, selfish and sinful living is totally inconsistent with believing in Jesus Christ as Lord.  Such a sinful lifestyle glorifies ourselves and takes glory away from God.  Instead we are called to live like Jesus (Philippians 2:1-11).  Nevertheless we all find ourselves managed by the habits of the past, refusing to trust that our security and hope is in Jesus (Ephesians 1:11-14).

Yes, the habits of our old life so often drag us back; the traditions of our family and culture hold us back, and the devil wants to deprive us of confidence to shake off the shackles of our dead lifestyle.  So, we need the reminder of our baptism (if you have not been baptised, why not?).  It expresses the truth of 2 Corinthians 5:17, "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: the old has gone, the new is here!"  The challenge is to live that way! Disobedience is out and obedience is in ... but we have to want it and work at it with Him.  God will help us, but we are accountable for doing it.  Is it a struggle?  Yes!  But is it worth it?  When we meet Jesus Christ we will know that the answer is, certainly, 'Yes' (Matthew 25:21)!