Young parents learn early on that it’s sometimes difficult to love our kids. We also learn that unconditional love is a choice, not a feeling. The Biblical doctrine of justification is about God’s choice to eternally love us and free us from the punishment we deserve as law-breakers.

It is God’s desire to work every day in our lives to purify us from the corruption of sin. The challenging part of that work is that we continue to make sinful choices as he cleans out our hearts. Mature believers recognize their need to partner with God in that process by making holier and healthier decisions.

Baptism provides a clear stopping point and starting point in the life of a Christian; we are buried to sin and raised to a new life, thus beginning a fresh start in a new direction. In that very moment, God begins to regenerate our hearts and minds, washing us clean from the pollution and contamination sin creates.