FROM THE PASTOR
Free - GIFT
John 8:36; Jesus makes us free, we are free indeed.
In Jesus’ day, many people, like the Pharisees we read about in the New Testament, thought they were free, but in reality, they weren’t. Basically they thought they could overcome their sins on their own by living a good life. In 2017, we celebrated 500 years of the Reformation; around this time, the church got sidetracked into thinking we can save ourselves by being good enough. And still today, many Christians (you and me) often get sidetracked with this thinking and belief too.
The Lutheran Reformation reminded the church and the world we are free from sin only because of Christ. Under the curse of sin, we always think we can work our way out of sins by being good. Under the curse of sin, we always try to please God with our efforts, that God will accept my efforts and reward me accordingly. So, under the curse of sin, we work harder and harder, strive further and further to please God – at the end of the day we are only lead down the road of despair, fear, uncertainty, doubt, guilt, depression and whatever else you can add. But the Gospel rescues from all this – rescues you and me from all this!
The good news that ought to be proclaimed by the church and Christians is, Jesus. The Gospel always delivers Jesus. Nothing else! The Gospel declares loudly and clearly that Jesus saves sinners on the Cross on Good Friday and His resurrection on Easter!
Reformation was always about cutting the strings and removing the conditions that we humans had placed (and still place) on God’s grace and mercy. Jesus saves with no strings attached! No conditions or requirements that need to be met! Everything God has for you is a gift. Your baptism – gift. Absolution – gift. Holy Communion – gift. Holy Spirit that creates faith – gift. Gifts are free. Gifts are given without you deserving them AND without God expecting anything in return. We are always in danger of slipping back into a way of thinking, acting, believing, which says, “I can earn God’s favour, forgiveness and love”. God’s freedom – free gift says, you already have my forgiveness and love in Jesus Christ, with no strings attached.
We Pray For:
† The church, as it searches for God's will in the new millennium.
† The work of dialogue between churches, and thanks for agreement already reached.
† The people of God, that they may be renewed each day in their baptism.
† Pastors and teachers of the word, that they may be faithful to the truth.
† Reformers in society and those who work for the changes that bring justice.
† All who are weighed down by guilt and sin, that they may be set free by the gospel.
† All who search for the truth, that God's Spirit may lead them to Christ.
In Jesus’ day, many people, like the Pharisees we read about in the New Testament, thought they were free, but in reality, they weren’t. Basically they thought they could overcome their sins on their own by living a good life. In 2017, we celebrated 500 years of the Reformation; around this time, the church got sidetracked into thinking we can save ourselves by being good enough. And still today, many Christians (you and me) often get sidetracked with this thinking and belief too.
The Lutheran Reformation reminded the church and the world we are free from sin only because of Christ. Under the curse of sin, we always think we can work our way out of sins by being good. Under the curse of sin, we always try to please God with our efforts, that God will accept my efforts and reward me accordingly. So, under the curse of sin, we work harder and harder, strive further and further to please God – at the end of the day we are only lead down the road of despair, fear, uncertainty, doubt, guilt, depression and whatever else you can add. But the Gospel rescues from all this – rescues you and me from all this!
The good news that ought to be proclaimed by the church and Christians is, Jesus. The Gospel always delivers Jesus. Nothing else! The Gospel declares loudly and clearly that Jesus saves sinners on the Cross on Good Friday and His resurrection on Easter!
Reformation was always about cutting the strings and removing the conditions that we humans had placed (and still place) on God’s grace and mercy. Jesus saves with no strings attached! No conditions or requirements that need to be met! Everything God has for you is a gift. Your baptism – gift. Absolution – gift. Holy Communion – gift. Holy Spirit that creates faith – gift. Gifts are free. Gifts are given without you deserving them AND without God expecting anything in return. We are always in danger of slipping back into a way of thinking, acting, believing, which says, “I can earn God’s favour, forgiveness and love”. God’s freedom – free gift says, you already have my forgiveness and love in Jesus Christ, with no strings attached.
We Pray For:
† The church, as it searches for God's will in the new millennium.
† The work of dialogue between churches, and thanks for agreement already reached.
† The people of God, that they may be renewed each day in their baptism.
† Pastors and teachers of the word, that they may be faithful to the truth.
† Reformers in society and those who work for the changes that bring justice.
† All who are weighed down by guilt and sin, that they may be set free by the gospel.
† All who search for the truth, that God's Spirit may lead them to Christ.