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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)

Pentecost is often called the birthday of the Church, so: “happy birthday!”

The story of Pentecost in Acts 2 is so often simplified into “reversing the curse of Babel” or that the Gospel is meant for all nations.

Those, of course, are true, but I think these are often minimized said in a somewhat quaint way.

The reality is that Babel was a colossal event and Pentecost even more so!

The people at Babel were seeking to elevate themselves to the heavens; elevate themselves to be like God. (Sound familiar?) They sought to displace God with themselves and their fear was that they may be “dispersed over the face of the whole earth” (Genesis 11:4). (God is amazing at natural consequences!)

It shall come to pass that everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

Acts 2:21

So from their hubris and idolatry, they are dispersed and there is now enmity among peoples and nations and the idolatry they had in their hearts becomes manifested in gods and deities of nations; worship outside of and opposed to Yahweh.

But God is One who redeems peoples and nations, and creation itself!

When Jesus conquered sin, death, and the Devil, He also sent the Holy Spirit, through Whom order was restored from chaos; peace from confusion; law from lawlessness.

Yahweh is the God of and for all, and “everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved” (Acts 2:21). Everyone!

The only Nation with standing now is the Nation of the Lord! The only peoples who have standing are the people of the Lord! The only boasts we or anyone has is of the Lord!

Jesus’ victory brings all together under His lordship, His reign, His dominion!

He is lord of all; for all time; for all peoples and nations!

Praise the Lord!

“Gracious Lord Jesus, thank You for Your victory and for redeeming all peoples, nations, and creation itself under Your rule! Thank You for sending the Holy Spirit to fill, direct, and move us to see how You see, love how You love, speak how You speak, and serve how You serve. Move us to look upon all with the same mercy and grace as You do and have shown through Your redemption. In Your precious Name do we pray. Amen!”

Scripture

• Genesis 11:1–9
• Acts 2:1–21
• Psalm 25:1–5 (Responsory)

I often hear well-meaning Christians wear their suffering as a badge of honor.

And certainly, suffering for the sake for Christ – for being a Christian – is an honor and privilege, to be embraced and a reason to praise the Lord!

But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed.

1 Peter 4:13

Unfortunately, many times I hear Christians lift up general sufferings – ones that have nothing to do with being a Christian, and somehow use those sufferings as a reason to show that they are “worthy.”

There are sufferings that come from being in the world; suffering that come from being in sin; and sufferings that come from being in Christ. They are not all the same!

Suffering for the sake of Christis something to praise the Lord about and celebrate for glory that will be revealed and “because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon” us (1 Peter 4:14b).

Suffering from being in the world or for being in sin is consequence for sin. Future glory is not given for such suffering, but God can and still should be given glory in them – for His mercy and grace shown through them.

And how we endure suffering can give God glory in every way!

When we suffer for Christ – He gets the glory and glory will be revealed to us.

When we suffer in the world or because of sin and we do so in contrition, in humility, and in grace, giving Him the glory regardless, there is a blessing for others.

Suffering this side of eternity is inevitable. Living lives boldly and unashamedly as followers of Jesus will bring suffering that leads to glory. Facing other suffering in contrition and humility because we give God the glory in and through it can winsome for Christ.

So we turn our face toward suffering – for Christ, in all things.

And in all our suffering, we keep in mind why we face suffering bodly – because Jesus suffered to the point of death for our salvation; for our eternity; so that our sufferings here would be temporary and time with Him eternal!

So we endure, with confidence, with certain hope, and with joyful anticipation for where it will end – for Christ, and with Christ!

Halleluia, and amen!

“Gracious Lord Jesus, You suffered and bore all our sins and those of the world. Thank You for that! Grant that we endure all suffering in a way that brings You honor and glory, and points all to You. In Your precious Name do we pray. Amen.”

Scripture

• 1 Peter 4:12–16
• Romans 5:3-5
• 2 Corinthians 12:7-10
• Psalm 68:1–10 (Responsory)

“If you love Me, you will keep My commandments” (John 14:15-21).

That can seem both obvious – and challenging.

Of course, if you love someone, you want to do things for them to show that love. You want to give of self because you love them. It flows naturally. It is self-evident. “Love is a verb” as the saying goes. (Note: it’s also a noun!)

If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.

John 14:15

The converse is also true: if you aren’t giving of self to another, it is probably an indication that there is a lack of love present.

But whenever we have sentences with “if” in them, we can get uneasy. It seems so…transactional. Standoffish. Perhaps even cold. It causes us to wonder if we are truly fulfilling that “if” well enough to meet the “requirement” stated.

“If I love God” – how much? I “will keep [His” commandments” to what level or extent?

And then we go on to see, “Whoever has My commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves Me” (John 14:21).

But in that case, we’re the ones trying to codify a simple statement into a complex one. We’re the ones taking a statement of Truth and muddying it with conditions.

Love Jesus, and that will naturally manifest itself in willing obedience.

It really is as simple as that.

Love begets obedience.

Not out of fear; not out of obligation; not out of coercion. Out of gratitude; out of heart-felt desire; out of selfless yearning!

And the reason is simple: “We love because He first loved us” (1 John 4:19).

Jesus loved His Father, loved the world, loved us so much that He selflessly, willingly, lovingly, suffered, died, and rose for us.

And it goes on!

Because He loves, He obeyed; because He loves, He saved; because He loves, He sends the Holy Spirit, the Helper; because He loves, all things are accomplished, fulfilled, given!

Because He loves, how could we not love back?! Because He has sacrificed and given so much, how could we not want to obey and keep every good, Holy, loving, challenging, blessed, enriching, edifying, disciplining, gracious, blessed Word and commands He has given us!

And through all of that loving, we are not only blessed with a more abundant and blessed life, but we also receive the Holy Spirit for discernment and Holy living and the love the of the Father as well!

What is not to love here?! “Thank You, Lord Jesus, for showing us Your love through Your actions. Grant us a willing, gracious, and loving heart that responds in grateful, obedient actions. Fill us with the Holy Spirit – the Helper so that all we think, say, and do is in line with Your will, Your Word, Your commandments. In the precious name of Jesus do we pray, O Lord. Amen”

Scripture

• John 14:15–21
• Psalm 66:8–20 (Responsory)