He Who Knew No Sin Was Made Sin For You

God made him who knew no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. 2 Corinthians 5:21

When you are made aware of your sin and frightened by it, you must not allow the sin to remain in your conscience. This would only lead to despair. Rather, just as your awareness of sin flowed from Christ, so you must pour your sin back on him to free your conscience.

So be careful you don't become like the misguided people who allow their sin to bite ate them and eat at their hearts. They strive to rid themselves of this sin by running around doing good works. But you have a way to get rid of your sins. You throw your sins on Christ when you firmly believe that Christ's wounds and suffering carried and paid for your sins. If you try to deal with your sin in your conscience, let it remain there, and continue to look at it in heart, your sins will become too strong for you. They will seem to live forever. But when you think of your sins as being on Christ and boldly believe that he conquered them through his resurrection, then they are dead and gone. Sin can't remain on Christ. His resurrection swallowed up sin and death.
Faith Alone by Martin Luther

Genuine & Freely Given Service

After our study last night, I couldn't help but keep thinking about this one section from what we read.
This was so encouraging to me (especially after I just got finished having a hassle with my mom about who was going to wake up at midnight to help my sister take her pain killer.) Yes... I was in need of being reminded AGAIN, and thankfully my mom was there to do that.

Our Father does this for each and every one of us out of His purely divine goodness and mercy towards us.

All of our works (or actions) should be guided by one thought alone- that we may serve and benefit others in everything that is done, having nothing else before our eyes except the need and advantage of the neighbor. A true Christian life is one where faith is active in love. A Christian way of thinking is "Although I am unworthy and a condemned person, my God has given me in Christ all the riches of righteousness and salvation without any merit on my part. God has done this in an act of free and pure mercy so that I now need nothing except faith that trusts that is true. Given such a Father - who overwhelms me with riches beyond number - why should I not freely, joyfully, with all my heart and an eager will, do things that I know are pleasing and acceptable to Him? I will therefore give myself as a Christ to my neighbor, just as Christ offered Himself to me. I will do nothing in this life except what is profitable, necessary, and life-giving for my neighbor, since through faith I have an abundance of ALL good things in Christ."

From faith flows love, and from love proceeds a joyful, willing, and free mind that serves the neighbor and takes no account of gratitude or ingratitude, praise or blame, gain or loss. As our Heavenly Father freely spent himself on us, giving all things to both the ungrateful and deserving, we freely spend ourselves and all that we have on others.

Thy Will Be Done Among Us...

We live in a democratic culture that values very highly personal independence, individual freedom, self realization, and self determination. Anything that restricts "rights" is often looked upon very critically. We want to be in charge of our lives, from cradle to casket. However, in the Third Petition of the Lord's Prayer, Christian's pray to their heavenly Father that His will, not ours, be done. In outward Christendom, society's love of freedom expresses itself in the teaching that man is free to "choose" to follow Jesus. When carefully examined, we realize that this is a claim that we are able to emancipate ourselves from the kingdom of the devil and join the kingdom of God, as if both were human organizations or clubs. If we accept this thinking for argument's sake, we might wonder: If our will is stronger than the devil, what prevents it from creating for ourselves a pain-free paradise on earth? The simple answer is: God's will be done. Cross We Suffer With Jesus pg. 12

As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient... ...But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved... Ephesians 2:1-5

The Freedom of a Christian

Thursday night's meeting we will be discussing passages from The Freedom of a Christian. Read pages 49-57 prior to Thursday's study. Bring in a Scripture from Sunday's sermon that correlates or builds on this passage. Email by Wednesday night if you plan on attending this week's study.

Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God? Jesus answered and said unto them, this is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent. John 6:28-29

The Benefits of Baptism

What does baptism give or profit?

It works forgiveness of sins, delivers from death and the devil, and gives eternal salvation to all who believe what the Word and promises of God declare.  The Holy Spirit creates faith by use of the sacrament, and all who desire forgiveness of their guilt are admitted to the sacrament.

pg. 265 Martin Luther's Theology

He who believes [who adheres to and trusts in and relies on the Gospel and Him Whom it sets forth] and is baptized will be saved [from the penalty of eternal death]; but he who does not believe [who does not adhere to and trust in and rely on the Gospel and Him Whom it sets forth] will be condemned. Mark 16:16 Amplified Bible

Matthew Henry's Commentary says...They shall be saved from the guilt, and power of sin, it shall not rule them, it shall not ruin them. He that is a true Christian shall be saved through Christ.

...Baptism is no harmless ritual; it is a battle against evil. Pastor, parents, sponsors, and the congregation, ought to "throw everything that they have into the fight for the child against the devil and to act in such a manner that they make this so important that it is no fun for the devil." ... pg 270 Martin Luther's Theology

This is about us, today! This is what our faithful pastors, parents, and friends do to us daily. 

Your baptism is an indelible mark, and cannot be removed! Praise the Lord for His steadfast love and unceasing mercies!

I am not ashamed of the Gospel!

   For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God; Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began. 2 Timothy 1:7-9

Matthew Henry's Commentary says...The gospel aims at our salvation: He has saved us, and we must not think much to suffer for that which we hope to be saved by. He has begun to save us and will complete it in due time; for God calls those things that are not (that are not yet completed) as those they were (Rom. 4:17); therefore he says, who has saved us...Christianity is a calling, a holy calling; the calling wherewith we are called, the calling which we are called to labour in... 

This passage in his commentary is pretty exciting! We are called not according to our works - that means not because of ANYTHING we have done. But, we are called according to His own purpose and grace! Thank you Jesus!