A Proper and Honorable Life With Good Deeds For You!

It is commendable and expected that one be passionate about one's belief. This is especially true when resisting evil doers in government, business, health care etc. However, we have a kind of passion which is not righteous at all. Peter speaks of this passion:

Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul. Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation.

(1 Peter 2:11-12 ESV)

These sinful passions of the flesh seek only to ridicule in an unkind manner those who are promoting wrongdoing in order to do something right.  This takes the form of gleefully promoting political cartoon and other forms of speech which only destroys the person at whom it is directed. Nothing good can come of these expressions, The only thing they do is cause those who are backing the persons at whom they are directed to dig in the heels and not listen to reason. This is what those held captive to the flesh will do anyway to get his or her point across.

For a believer in Jesus to engage in these activities commits violence against our souls. Both those who are making these things and promoting them and those who see them knowing it is a fellow believer doing it.

“I consider myself fortunate that it is before you, King Agrippa, I am going to make my defense today against all the accusations of the Jews, especially because you are familiar with all the customs and controversies of the Jews. Therefore I beg you to listen to me patiently.

(Acts 26:2-3 ESV)

Here we see the grand example of St Paul before sinful and unbelieving King Agrippa. He is not railing against him. Rather he defends himself in an honorable fashion giving him the respect due his vocation as king. Later on when Festus accuses Paul of being out of his mind Paul calls him excellent Festus.

If we were honest with ourselves we must admit we have found perverse joy seeing a political cartoon, listening to a talking head's sarcastic personal attacks and have used this destructive speaking ourselves. This is breaking God's command to honor father and mother referring to those Our Lord has called into office. This fleshly response deserves God's temporal and eternal punishment.

But we have good news. Christ came and perfectly obeyed the commandments perfectly and his holiness is given to us as a gift. For the sake of the innocent suffering and death of Our Lord we have this trespass removed from us. Jesus' resurrection is also for our justification.

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

A Free Life For You!

The life of a Christian is the most free of any other person. Luther wrote :

A Christian is a perfectly free lord of all, subject to none.
A Christian is a perfectly dutiful servant of all, subject to all*

 Our Lord delivers us from bondage to sin as it enslaves others around us. Thus we are free from being slaves.  Yet Our Lord sees fit to place sinful men in leadership positions over us. This is one of the many quandaries in which the Christian finds in life.

St Peter wrote the following;

Be subject for the Lord's sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good. For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people. Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God. Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor.

(1 Peter 2:13-17 ESV)

In this we see great freedom but it is also a great challenge. When Our Lord puts into office those who only seek to do good by doing evil it is hard to remain respectful of this leader while beholding his or her wicked deeds. Peter understood this. Our Lord foretold of how he was to die which was similar to how Our Lord died.

He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, “Do you love me?” and he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep. Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were young, you used to dress yourself and walk wherever you wanted, but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will dress you and carry you where you do not want to go.” (This he said to show by what kind of death he was to glorify God.) And after saying this he said to him, “Follow me.”

(John 21:17-19 ESV)

After this prophecy by Jesus Peter still had the faith to write such a thing to those who would be persecuted by the same emperor's subjects. Yet we are the most free. How is this to be understood? Unlike our neighbor who does not believe in Jesus he has enslaved himself to thinking this life is all he has. We who believe in Christ are not under that horrible thought.

We know that Our Lord has purchased us for himself and is our True and Holy Emperor. We also know that the wicked leaders we have are subject to him and will either be granted repentance and forgiveness or face the Righteous Judge in condemnation. With this knowledge we can actually pray in honest concern for our leader's salvation rather than to cruelly speak of this leader which so many in the world do. It is tempting to join in but it is not pleasing to Our Father in heaven and we must always seek his pleasure.

If we are honest with ourselves we must admit we fail miserably with this directive. But we have good news. Christ came to live in perfect obedience to the law and has fulfilled it and it is ended because we are justified by faith due to his death and resurrection.

Let us trust this good news and live in its peace. Amen. †

*THE FREEDOM OF A CHRISTIAN
1520 by Martin Luther written to Pope Leo X

Strange Scripture For You!

Otherwise, what do people mean by being baptized on behalf of the dead? If the dead are not raised at all, why are people baptized on their behalf?

(1 Corinthians 15:29 ESV)

This is one of the verses in scripture which boggle the mind. In the early church they really believed what the Apostles taught about Baptism being a means of the Spirit unto salvation. Tradition has it that a family which converted to Christianity would have a dead person who did not convert Baptized so he or she could be saved. This is conjecture so we do not have any evidence that this was the case.

Now that we have the completed canon of scripture what do we do with this verse?

First we look at the close context and see St Paul is proclaiming how Christ has all power over all things. He is referring to a practice not advocating Baptizing one's deceased loved ones. It is interesting that he only reports this but does not condemn it. 

This is spoken by a man who is being persecuted to those who face persecution. When things go this way it is difficult to understand how Christ is therefore victorious. The resurrection is our comfort during times of persecution and also times of illness while shuffling towards our last breath. What wonderful peace this truth gives!

We also see that in the further context:

For we hold that one is justified by faith apart from works of the law.

(Romans 3:28 ESV)

We would see that it is Baptism connected with faith which receives the justification. This is not saying that we need wait until a child is old enough to confess Christ. But a person knowing and trusting in the promises contained in Baptism that it saves through the resurrection of Christ has a firm certainty of salvation.

After considering the close and further context it still seems a strange and mysterious verse. It is said that Martin Luther referred to the medieval custom of removal of your hat out of respect for the verse being the word of God. We do not have to totally come to understand strange scriptures forever twisting, conjecturing and troubling ourselves and others with it.

Scripture is true. Have some trouble with a passage? Remove your hat, keep reading and live in the peace scripture offers.

In the name of Jesus. Amen. †

Sweet Words For You!

Sadly many believers in Jesus discount how the law of Our Lord can aid them in day to day activities in their lives. We certainly are not under the crushing curse of the law where either you obey it perfectly or you will die. This is indeed good news for those in Christ. But it is still something that is sweet to those who seek to please Our Father in heaven.

Oh how I love your law!
It is my meditation all the day.
Your commandment makes me wiser than my enemies,
for it is ever with me.
I have more understanding than all my teachers,
for your testimonies are my meditation.
I understand more than the aged,
for I keep your precepts.
I hold back my feet from every evil way,
in order to keep your word.
I do not turn aside from your rules,
for you have taught me.
How sweet are your words to my taste,
sweeter than honey to my mouth!
Through your precepts I get understanding;
therefore I hate every false way.
(Psalm 119:97-104 ESV)

This became even more apparent when I was taking a class in ethics. It is amazing the miserable hand wringing one needs to go through using the ethics of our philosophers. It is lamentable as well when looking at these decisions that need be made is how one can justify almost any vile behavior under certain circumstances. We see this played out in our society by both Governments and Corporations. The men and women making these decisions are doing the ethical thing in his or her own mind using these standards.

Now consider, for example, the commandment to honor our father and mother. This works for a peaceful family life when children will seek to do what father and mother require. This can also be taken into the work place when one is out of the parent's home. Obeying the rules regarding times to be ready to work and not taking extra breaks, staying too long during breaks etc. will result in good reviews and possible merit increase. When driving honoring speed limits and stop signs or signals will eliminate one getting a traffic citation which will contain a fine and increased insurance rates.

However, the law always accuses. When one is honest with oneself he or she will admit they have not perfectly honored those who are placed in leadership. But we have good news! For the sake of the innocent suffering and death of Our Lord and Savior Jesus we are not held accountable for missing the mark. Our Father does not grade on a curve so we are constantly in need of this forgiveness. Thanks be to God for this gift of the forgiveness of sin. In addition he was resurrected for our Justification.

And our God keeps on giving. Due to the perfect life of Our Lord and Savior Jesus we have been giving perfect obedience to the law as a gift. We are therefore, by faith, looked upon by our heavenly Father as his dear and perfect children. May the name of Jesus evermore be praised.

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

Gift of Perfect Love For You!!!!!

Through various means one can hear of the horrendous persecution of our brother and sisters in Jesus Christ. In response a Christian will become horrified about this situation. This is not merely an emotional reaction but it is true Godly affection. We will through this love seek ways to help our suffering brothers and sisters.

How is it that one can have so much concern for those whom one has never met?

The fruit of the Spirit is love........
Galatians 5:22

This genuine concern is not self generated. Nor is it a learned behavior, The natural man does not love as God loves. One of the best statements comparing and contrasting our love from that which God possesses is found in the Heidelberg Disputation of  1518 written by Martin Luther.

The love of God does not find but creates that which is pleasing to it. The love of man comes into being by finding what is pleasing to it.

The strangers mentioned above are not doing anything which pleases us so that we will love this person. However, God's regenerating power places within our hearts this sacrificial compassion so that we will sense the suffering of our brothers and sisters and seek out ways to help.

Our love will never be perfect on our own steam. Due to the perfect life of Jesus his righteousness is placed on us Our Father sees us as his holy children in his dear Son. Our response, although incomplete and partly done in self interest. of helping our suffering fellow Christian is faith in action which will match up our lives with our confession. 

But if anyone has the world's goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God's love abide in him? Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth.

(1 John 3:17-18 ESV)

Jesus also bore our failure to love God with all our heart and our neighbor as ourselves. We justly deserve God's present and eternal punishment for this failure to be as he is. This sin of imperfect love is not laid to our account. We need not use our brothers or sisters as means by which we can complete our salvation. This is the glorious done deal of the Gospel.

Let us trust in this Good News and live in its peace. Amen. †

Gift Of Perfect Faith For You!!!!

And he could do no mighty work there, except that he laid his hands on a few sick people and healed them. And he marveled because of their unbelief.
(Mark 6:5 ESV)

This is a the conundrum which faces a Bible believer. How can a Sovereign God be thwarted in his attempts at doing his mighty work. He did law hands on some sick people and healed them. So what was his mighty work that he was unable to do?  Have people believe in him.

Some will maintain that these people were not elect or re probate is the cause. In other words the Holy Spirit was not interested so did not do the entire Holy Spirit job. This cannot be true for later people from his hometown did come to faith.

The only will we have under our own steam is to choose death. It never can be because of God not wanting someone. Scripture clearly teaches he desires all to be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth. 1 Timothy 2:4.

Fruit of the Spirit is .........Faith. Galatians 5:22

Our gracious Lord, the Holy Spirit, is the one to give this perfect faith to trust in Christ. Our inner brat rails against it so through hearing the word preached, reading it daily and prayer we slay that brat and be able to wage this battle.

This is not faith to necessarily have things go better for us. It is faith which secures and preserves us in  truth, life and salvation.

In the name of Jesus. Amen. †

An Incarnated Jesus For You!

And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.(John 1:14 ESV)

This time of year a drama unfolds before our eyes. And it has to do with the Nativity of Our Lord Jesus. This has made some people rejoice, some are not at all impressed by it and others think it was a bad idea and seek to not let children and others have this. remembrance.

The first group out of the abundance of sheer joy cannot get enough of the festivities. Going from house to house feasting with friends. Singing carols in hospitals and nursing facilities. Having decorations in homes and wanting them in other public places.

The second group will rant and rave against these activities. They see Advent worship services and the Feast of the Nativity of Our Lord that many churches do as an affront to the law of God. Jesus is not amused with Christians who seek to celebrate his birth. But of course Jesus is not only amused but he is downright proud of those who become miserable souls who throw wet blankets at others for doing what they do not allow. Comments about how we should only remember the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus not his Nativity. Well if not for this incarnating we scarcely could have the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus. It is all part of God reconciling himself with sinners.

And then we have our atheists and agnostics. They are so set against Our Lord that any reference to how this time of year is special in the hearts of others just drives them to distraction. These people will take up collections and weary out our government officials and courts seeking to ban all this. Not only prohibiting Nativity scenes but trees, lights, music and even the colors of red and green. Our Lord said this offences would happen and proves his being who he said he is. No one else's birth is so controversial. It is interesting to note the second group almost seek to join with this group in banishing these festivities. 

Remember the word that I said to you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours. But all these things they will do to you on account of my name, because they do not know him who sent me.
(John 15:20-21 ESV)

May you have a joyful season. Even if you do not want one.