The “church” today seems to have the opinion of “well I was baptized,now it is up to God” , my responsibility has been met. Let the “holy spirit” God gave me, as a gift,at baptism do what God intended for “him to do, SAVE ME”
Where does the command to “repent” enter the picture, If one truly does as God commands and repents of his or her sinful ways he gives us a renewed spirit, a holy spirit, one that strives to follow Jesus Christ, renewing the sinful spirit that once loved the ways of the world. It is still you, just a changed you. I have the same spirit God gave me as a newborn, but I hope it has changed over the past seventy years. Jesus said the spirit of a child is holy, that is before the things of this world has slowly crept in and corrupted it.
1Pe 1:3 Blessed [be] the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
Yes just as Peter said we are born again, sinless.But our work is not over at baptism, far from it, it just begins in earnest.
1Pe 1:14 As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance:
1Pe 1:15 But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation;
1Pe 1:16 Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.
1Pe 1:17 And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man’s work, pass the time of your sojourning [here] in fear:
Peter, doesn’t say well you have been baptized, so you can rest easy now. Instead in my opinion Peter said the work has begun, you are started on the path of salvation.Be careful not to return to your former self. Your contribution consist of more than furnishing a sinful person for Jesus to wash clean, your work is not over.
1Cr 15:58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.