Job 6:1-4, 8-15, 21
Acts 9:32-43
John 6:60-71
Psalter
Morning 93-95 Evening 96-100
Higher Things Reflection
“Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.” (Galatians 5:24-25)
We are dead to sin, but alive in Christ. This is the same message St. Paul delivers again and again throughout his epistles to the churches. He does this lest they (and we) forget the reality of faith.
Satan, the world, and our own sinful flesh tell us something quite different. Satan simply tries to bring the whole thing into doubt. “What makes you so confident you’re forgiven? What about that sin you just committed? Did Jesus really intend for you to continue sinning the way you do? You sure aren’t very faithful to God. What makes you so sure He will be faithful to you?” The world asks us, “How could something that feels so good be so bad?” And our own sinful flesh adds to all this by saying, “Just this one time…”
The Holy Spirit, Scripture, and faith tell us not to worry. God knows the doubts in our hearts. He has always had a plan to subdue our disbelief. He has given us His means of grace to anchor our ship in the storms of this life.
Our Lord instituted means of grace (Scripture and its preaching, Baptism, the Lord’s Supper, and Absolution) as guarantees of not only God’s love, but His eternal forgiveness of our sins in Christ.
Undeniably, we sin and do what is evil in God’s sight. But Jesus became sin for us to save us. We are not only forgiven, we have been crucified with Christ. This is an event of the past. It is a done deal. Nothing can change the life, death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. Nothing can change God’s gift of eternal life.
Through Baptism and the Lord’s Supper, we are united in Christ. God lives in us. We are marked as ones redeemed in Christ. We partake in the Body and Blood of our Lord in, with, and under the bread and wine. And when the minister of God’s Word and Sacrament declares absolution, it is God’s absolution he delivers. This is our life: we are dead to sin, but alive in Christ.
“From God can nothing move me; He will not step aside. But always will reprove me. And be with my constant guide. He stretches out his hand, in evening and in morning, providing his forewarning. Wherever I may stand.” (LW #409)
¶ 9/19/2006 04:43:00 AM 0 Comments
