Category: News (Page 2 of 109)

In today’s reading, I think about different times and ways that we might present ourselves. We certainly present ourselves in the best light when we like someone and start dating, or when we’re going to a dance or maybe a Quinceañera.

There are a lot of situations and occasions in which we want to present ourselves in the best way possible and put our best foot forward. To let people see what’s best about us, not what’s worst.

Do not present your members to sin as instruments for unrighteousness, but present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life, and your members to God as instruments for righteousness.

Romans 6:13

But in our reading today, we’re told not to, “present [our] members to sin as instruments for unrighteousness, but present [ourselves] to God as those who have been brought from death to life, and [our] members to God as instruments for righteousness” (Romans 6:13).

This got me thinking what it means to present ourselves and our members to sin or to God. When we do this we are offering ourselves up; we are giving ourselves over to; we are subjecting ourselves to.

We can either do that to evil and to sin, or to God and His righteousness, and His will. We can do it for good or bad; godliness and righteousness or ungodliness and evil.

It is a fascinating thing to think about the first time that we are presented: when we’re born. Dirty. Wet. Crying. Naked. Not our best view or best light!

And that’s what happens when we are presented in sin: we are dirty; we are unclean; we are selfish in the way that we act. We cry; we are separate; we are alone; we are cold; we are sinful. All of those things are true when we are in sin.

And yet. When we are presented to God through faith in Jesus, we are beautiful.

We were once slaves to impurity and lawlessness. We were once slaves to sin. We were once slaves to the devil. We were once slaves to our own passions. We presented ourselves to these things; we humbled ourselves and gave ourselves over to them.

How awful! How ugly! How horrifying!

But when Christ came He humbled Himself and presented Himself as a living sacrifice on our behalf, to forgive our sins, to make us right, to cleanse us before God. When He did those things, He presented us then, too – as perfect, as righteous, as just. And now as ones who can now also present all of our own members, all of our thoughts, all of our mind, all of our actions to God; in the same way; out of gratitude; out of thanksgiving; out of sincere, deep love. We can present ourselves and our members as a living sacrifice to God saying ‘we are Yours; we want to do what You desire; we want to be in You and Your grace. We want to live as You specify in Your word. We want these things. We present ourselves to You; to Your purpose; to Your will; to You in whatever way You see fit. We no longer want to present ourselves or be presented in any way that doesn’t bring You honor and glory and majesty; that doesn’t lift up others and point them also to You. We don’t want to do anything or be anyone that doesn’t present every fiber of our being to Your will and ways; to Your righteousness.’

Yes, there is still sin that still infects us and holds something over us, but let it be anathema! Let it be forever removed! Let it be forever shunned! For we are Yours, Lord; fully; in every way. That is our deep desire. That is our deep privilege.

Because of Jesus, who was presented for us and for our salvation and for our eternity.

Thank You, Lord! Thank You!

“Gracious Heavenly Father, we praise and thank You that Jesus was presented through His sacrifice on our behalf to make us wholly righteous and just so that we, too, can be presented to You as perfect. Grant that we live this way. That all of our thoughts, words, and deeds – that every member of our body – is presented to You in righteousness. In Jesus most precious name, do we pray. Amen.”

Scripture

• Romans 6:12-23
• Psalm 91:1-16 (Responsory)

God forgives and forgets. That’s rather impossible with us. We may forgive, but forgetting? Well, that’s another matter. And if someone has really wronged us, that too often manifests itself in how we treat them in the future. At the very least, they may not be receiving our Christmas card next year!

God shows His love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Romans 5:8

But God (thankfully!) is not like us.

It is an astonishing statement that “while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8) and that “while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son” (Romans 5:10).

Truly staggering!

How? Why?

When we look at our own lives we see our persistence in sinning and that God came to save us, not just because of our sins or despite our sins, but while we were sinners – and in His transcendent love and mercy said, “Yep, you, sinner; I die to save you! You, one who comes against Me as My enemy, driving Me to the death – I die for you to make our relationship right!”

It is truly unfathomable!

And yet, it is true! And amazing! And jarring! And weighty! And beautiful! And ours!

And now that we are reconciled and saved; now that our hearts have been made new; now that we are full beneficiaries of His perfect mercy, grace, and forgiveness, we can live in that reconciliation with God and others. We can live, move, and have our being no longer as sinners and enemies, but as ones who are holy children, bent on sharing this reality and reconciliation Plan with others.

How wonderfully phenomenal! “Thank You, Lord Jesus, for dying for us and reconciling us while we were sill sinners and enemies. We have no means of thanking You enough, but pray that we live in this reality by the Holy Spirit in a way that befits Your people. Use us as Your ambassadors to live and share this reconciliation with others, pointing them to You in all that we do. In Your precious name do we pray; amen!”

Scripture

• Romans 5:6-15
• Psalm 100 (Responsory)

It is difficult to overemphasize the importance of the doctrine of Justification by Grace through Faith and not of works.

And that doctrine is articulated so strongly throughout the entire book of Romans. St. Paul describes again and again, in beautiful and articulate ways, how and why it is important to understand that we are declared righteous and just before God through faith in Jesus and not by works of the law.

For the promise to Abraham and his offspring that he would be heir of the world did not come through the law but through the righteousness of faith.

Romans 4:13

But we forget this sometimes. Or at least we forget that it applies to others and not just us. Sometimes we’re more willing to overlook our foibles rather than those of others; ascribing to them motivations and a heart that must be far from God if they’re doing things that are against God’s will, but understanding in our own heart that we mess up, even if we still love God.

But all who believe in Jesus are saved with a righteousness that comes by faith – just like Abraham. He received the promise of that righteousness before the Law was given on Mount Sinai to Moses and all the Israelites. His faith was credited to him as righteousness before that was to come about.

That was good for the Israelites, it’s good for us, and it’s good for the world. Because if we try even a little bit to make our salvation dependent upon our actions or upon the Law, we are not just in trouble, we are in a damnable situation.

But thanks be to God that that’s not the way things are, that’s not how God structured it, and that’s not the path for salvation. God knew this, and He knew that we couldn’t attain it. That’s why He did it for us. That’s why He gives it to us. That’s why He sends the Holy Spirit to inform our motivations and our heart for following the Law and not as a basis for it.

Praise God for His infinite and indescribable mercy!

“We thank you, Lord, for giving us a salvation – a righteousness – that comes through faith and not of ourselves. Help us to remember that in times of struggle, when we fail You and Your Holy Law, so that we can look to Your faithfulness which covers our actions. Help us to live a life of righteousness through the faith that You’ve bestowed. In the name of Jesus, who accomplished all of this for us. Amen.”

Scripture

• Romans 4:13-25
• Psalm 119:65-72 (Responsory)

Every Christian has jobs to do, given by God in His Word.

Today we are discussing one of them: making disciples.

Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.

Matthew 28:19-20

It is a passing command of Jesus before He ascended. As we live, in our daily duties, as we encounter others, we are to “make disciples of all nations” (Matthew 28:19).

So what is a disciple? The short answer is a follower or pupil.

But more important to the basic word is what it means for living – especially for a disciple of Jesus.

To be a disciple of Jesus requires change – in a person’s heart, their mind, and in their behavior.

And we are called to “make disciples.” But to do naturally involves other things as well.

1. We realize that the One actually doing the work is God and He works through the Sacraments; specifically in today’s text, through the Sacrament of Baptism in the name of the Triune God; because it is in His Name, through His power, by His doing that followers are made.
2. Disciples of Jesus are made by teaching, learning, and following God’s Holy Word. “Teaching them to observe all that I have commanded” (Matthew 28:20).
3. God is allowing us to take part in His miracles here. God is inviting His disciples into the process of making more disciples. What an amazing privilege!

But let’s be clear and repeat: being a disciple means being changed; thoroughly; from the inside out. It means not just showing up for worship and Bible class, but immersing yourself in worship and study because your heart burns to draw nearer to God. It means acting in service for others because it is a part of your new being as a disciple who loves others like Jesus does. It means acknowledging your sins with heartfelt remorse and contrition, receiving His forgiveness with utter joy, and working intently to change your living so that behavior doesn’t continue.

We are called to be a faithful disciple of Jesus. We are called to make disciples of others through baptism and the teaching and living His good commands.

And all of this because God has made us disciples; forgiven us and bestowed His mercy and grace; given us His free Gift of salvation; made us ones who get to follow Him in everything!

And now He invites us to take part in the disciple-making business so others get to experience the same!

What an honor and privilege!

“Thank You, Lord, for making us Your disciples when we didn’t deserve it. For baptizing us and teaching us to observe all that You have commanded. Grant us a new and willing heart, mind, and spirit to live out our lives as faithful disciples and grant us that continued joy as more disciples are made for You! In and through Jesus’ precious Name do we pray. Amen!”

Scripture

• Matthew 28:16-20
• Psalm 8 (Responsory)