The Fruits of Holy Baptism (4)

The Adoption as Children

Christ is the Tree of Life. This Tree is always bearing fruit, even from month to month as we read in Revelation 22. The leaves of that Tree are for the healing of the Gentiles. One of the branches of that Tree is Holy Baptism which He Himself has instituted.

We have already considered several different fruits which are exhibited to us on the low hanging branches so that we may enjoy them. The bride says, “His fruit is sweet to my palate.” Let us once more look to this branch for a precious fruit.

Our Form for Holy Baptism says that “God the Father has adopted us for His children and heirs, and therefore will provide us with every good thing, and avert all evil or turn it to our profit.” We again emphasize that this precious fruit can only be enjoyed through true saving faith. It is provided for His favorites. It leaves such a sweet taste when this fruit is eaten with a spiritual mouth.

Through grace “for Christ’s sake, adopted by the Father”—we, who by nature were children of the devil and children of wrath, who provoked Him and who did not seek to be a child of God. Yea, we even slapped Him in His face. Think of Manasseh, Saul of Tarsus, Augustine, yourself. Is it possible for such to be adopted as His children? That is an eternal wonder. For that, Christ had to be cast away into the darkness which lasted for three hours upon Golgotha. For that, He had to enter death. How can we ever fathom this?

Fatherly care

Perhaps you will say, is not that a benefit reserved for God’s confirmed people? Then the Holy Spirit must reveal Himself in our lives as the Spirit of adoption as children whereby we call out, “Abba, Father.” May I then ask you, have you not experienced the Fatherly keeping, care, instruction, and chastisements in your life? In a normal family, are only the adults truly children? Or are the babes and infants also children?

The children are also heirs—heirs and fellow heirs with Christ, so Paul writes in Romans 8:17. We who have sinned away everything, who have spoiled and cast away the precious riches which God had given us—and then made heirs of Christ? Heirs of everything, “For all things are yours …and ye are Christ’s; and Christ is God’s” (1 Corinthians 3:21b&23). An heir is rich. No matter how poor you may be in your estimation, “I know your poverty…,” John wrote to the congregation of Smyrna, “but thou art rich” (Revelation 2:9).

Cared for and protected

A child and heir is cared for and protected by the father. That is also what the heavenly Father does. He cares for all that is good. Just look, child of the Lord, at what you have for daily and spiritual life. How many blessings! They come from the same Fatherly hand. Every crumb of bread found on your table, all of your clothing, the chair whereupon you are sitting, and the bed whereupon you sleep—they all come from His Fatherly hand.

What about the evil? The adversities, the crosses, the sorrows? Let us read once more from the Heidelberg Catechism, Lord’s Day 9 “…that He will make whatever evils He sends upon me, in this valley of tears, turn out to my advantage.” Therefore, also that cross—adversity—comes from His hand. He sends such in His wisdom; He determined it in His eternal counsel. He considered it necessary and beneficial for you. In the second rhyme of the Apostle’s Creed, we sing (loosely translated):

He sends me all the good which is necessary,

Also the evil which I come across upon earth.

He graciously turns it to my welfare.

His omnipotence will always keep me;

He swore this to me as my covenant Head;

And is willing to do so as my Father.

Open then your eyes at the administration of Holy Baptism and look with wonderment at the drops of water. Think of your own baptism. There, all of these benefits are applied to you. God the Father testifies and confirms it. Is it not sad that we draw so little comfort from this, that we are so often dissatisfied under the blessings, and that we grumble under our cross?

(To be continued)

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