When it comes to obedience, Satan is our enemy. His wiles were behind the very first instance of disobedience in the garden, and he continues to lead us astray today. However God has given us tools to resist the devil. In Chapter 6 of Ephesians, the apostle Paul describes these tools and calls them “the armor of God.” (Ephesians 6:13-17)
When and how do we receive this armor? I believe it comes with our baptism. This is the day God claims us as His own, the day that we “put on the Lord Jesus Christ.” (Romans 13:14) Only in Him do we become righteous and capable of true obedience.
Here’s what the Lutheran Catechism says about baptism:
“It (baptism) signifies that the old Adam in us, together will all sins and evil lusts, should be drowned by daily sorrow and repentance and be put to death; and that the new man should daily come forth and rise, to live before God in righteousness and holiness forever.”
This is based upon Romans 6: 4
“We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised form the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.”
So here’s the question Paul poses:
“How can we who died to sin still live in it?” (Romans 6:2)
You and I are new creations. God gave us righteousness through Christ. We have the armor of God. Remembering this can help us to be obedient.
Lutheran Ladies Connection 