Empty Tomb = Justification for you!

Christ is Risen! He is Risen indeed! Alleluia!

Such is the greeting in many congregations on Easter Sunday. This could be the greeting every Sunday thereafter since the gathering of the justified is possible through the resurrection of Jesus.

who was delivered up for our trespasses and raised for our justification. (Romans 4:25 ESV)

This act of rising from the dead Jesus proclaimed his conquering of death for us. That through faith we receive this gift.  This empty tomb is really good news for the Christian since we are living in the valley of the shadow of death.

Christ, as a Good Shepherd, has preceded us into the grave and resurrected to show his justified ones what awaits them. When resurrected there will be a time of judgement.  We need not fear that judgement, for our Savior will say;

‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.
(Matthew 25:34 ESV)

Trust this good news and live in its peace. Amen! †

Sin Put Away For You!

What a joyous and comforting thought. Due to no deserving, choosing, disciplining ourselves we have no sin as far as our Father in heaven is concerned!

 But as it is, he has appeared once for all at the end of the ages to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself.

(Hebrews 9:26 ESV)

We know nothing of any sin for it was all laid on the back of Our Lord Christ. It cannot lay on both our backs. We need not fear the day of judgement for we are in Christ and we will hear "well my good and faithful servant. Enter the joy of your Master!" Matthew 25:21 Justified by faith apart from works of the law. Romans 3:28.

The objection appears from our flesh, the world and satan; "so this means you can do anything you want and God has to forgive it? That is cheap grace!" No it is not cheap grace it is free grace. If it came to us due to our work it would be a wage instead of grace. Yes we can do what we want. Now that you love Jesus and know what he gives you what is it you want to do? Considering this love and concern Jesus has for us we want to serve him by serving our neighbor and perfectly love him. However, God looks at us in Jesus so we actually do love him and serve our neighbor through all the simple tasks of life.

Trust this good news and live in its peace. Amen †

Satan Sent Away For You!

Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.
(1 Peter 5:8 ESV)

Make no mistake, my friends, Satan has yet to give up on those who follow the Lord Jesus. In his fierce anger he is like the lion looking for food. Is this physical food like our lions eat? No, rather it is our faith in the Crucified and Risen Jesus. He seeks to rob us of the promise of  forgiveness of sin, salvation and the forgiveness of sin.

No, Satan does not busy himself invading the body of a young girl and causing her to convulse  and thrash about as in a Hollywood depiction. He is much more subtle, just as he was in Eden. He seeks to have us doubt God’s word for us and to have our mind wander after some really good stuff. Our Father is not against his children having good stuff but it becomes bad stuff when it takes us away from the things most needful.

Then Jesus said to him, “Be gone, Satan! For it is written,
“‘You shall worship the Lord your God
and him only shall you serve.’”
(Matthew 4:10 ESV)

This is how our Lord Christ handled our adversary once for all, quoting the word of God to him the Word defeated him for us. This holy and complete rebuke and sending away is granted to us by faith. This is not something more to do but rather something in which to rejoice.

To live sober-minded and watchful contains participating in those means whereby God has promised to be located for our salvation. Scripture and prayer. These gifts are with us everyday. We need not wait until gathering in worship to hear the voice of Jesus. He is here each and everyday to proclaim to us repentance and forgiveness of sin. We also need not wait for special events in which to pray. No time to pray? Our Father…… only takes a few moments and is completely filled with all that we need. Participating in these activities will send Satan away and place all our good things in behind the best thing where they belong.

Trust this good news and live in its peace. †