There is the expectation that God's spirit in us will lead us to lives of holiness and true joy. We are given a community. We join with the people present at our baptism who are baptized and with everyone who was ever baptized. And, yes there are still tax collectors and prostitutes in that community. In fact, one of the ways we know that God loves and accepts us just as we are is because God loves accepts other people who are as messed up and sinful as we are.
Baptism is a big deal.
It is a chance for people who are desperate to change their lives to gain the same identity, in God's eyes, that Jesus has. It is the way, the event, that leads to salvation Praise be to Jesus for bringing us this gift. Praise be to God for giving us this gift. Praise be to the Holy Spirit for sustaining us in this gift. The gift is the unconditional love and pressure of God in our lives.