Jesus

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“Forgiveness x490” – Matthew 18:21-35

22. October 2012
Sunday of the Unmerciful Servant
Matthew 18:21-35

We have a forgiveness problem. We don’t know what it is nor why we practice it. We say “it’s okay” and look the other way. We turn the other cheek while secretly holding the grudge. We hold our neighbor’s debts against us over his head. We overlook our sins and the sins of others when they should be confessed and forgiven. This whole messy situation is supposed to be cleaned up with Christ’s own blood but we’d rather wallow in it.

We’re just like St. Peter. Peter came to Him and said, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?” Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven. No doubt. Forgiveness is tough. They are hard works to say. When someone hurts you repeatedly with what they say and do, do you keep forgiving them? Maybe you forget about it once or twice… perhaps even three times. But seven times? We’d rather tell our neighbor to buzz off than keep suffering their repeat offenses. Forgiveness? That only goes so far.

Not with Jesus. Seven times? No, seventy times seven. That’s 490 for all you math wizards. What’s Jesus saying. Christians suffer. They suffer others sins. They keep suffering when their neighbor and even brother keeps sinning against them. 490 times? That’s a lifetime of sin to suffer. Jesus is saying we suffer with our spouses’s sins against us until the death parts us. We suffer our children’s offenses until Christ comes again. We suffer our neighbor’s curses and threats forever. 490 times is an eternity of sin to suffer.

Ah, but notice one thing is still missing. Jesus isn’t just telling us to suffer. He’s telling us to do the harder thing: forgive them. Not just in your heart but verbally—out loud. Forgiveness is humiliating. It requires you to move from the position of power to weakness. It requires us to repent and become like a child. Our righteous outrage at our neighbor’s sin has to be set aside and instead forgive them. Say it: “I forgive you.” Let’s practice. Say it after me: “I forgive you.” Sounds different than “it’s okay,” right? It doesn’t just sound different but it feels different. It requires the hatred, resentment, and despising of your neighbor to be crucified and die.

It is sin that keeps us from saying those hard words. Sin is our fleshly condition and inescapable. We are sinner, watch us sin. There’s no human way to overcome our disease. We can only treat the symptoms and then pretty ineffectively. We need is a cure that’s permanent and lasting not little bandaids for all our little problems. Jesus told Nicodemus we must be born again of water and the Spirit. This is God’s solution to our problem. He’s not content simply putting patches on trespasses or debts. He wants to cure us, once and for all. He has in Holy Baptism. He drowned your old Adam to death and gave to you new life in Jesus’s blood.

That’s what forgiveness is all about. Being washed clean in Christ. Your sins no longer cling to you. They are forgiven! Even death is destroyed and there is new life for you in Jesus! A washing of rebirth and regeneration began this work in you. Christ’s own body and blood nourishes you as He keeps you in this truth. The words “I forgive you your sins” keep you clean by the same Word that made you.

The life of the Baptized is in Christ and Christ in him. Therefore, if you brother sins against you do not hold this sin against them. Go and tell them their fault. If they will not listen, take another brother. If he still will not listen, bring the church. If he will not hear of his fault then this sin is bound to him until he repents.

Ever tried to do this? Its hard stuff for the old Adam. No one wants to reveal another’s sin. It usually exposes our own faults, abuses, and wickedness. Plus, we think nothing good will come of it. It’d be much better to look the other way, to all just get along, to pat them on the back and say “it’s okay.” It’s far easier to let them remain in their sin than to tell them about it. That’s the same thing we’d want. Sinners love their sin and why should it be any different for them?

No, not for those in Christ Jesus! The Christian has come to hate their sin and their sinful disease. They hate it because they have come to love their savior. Jesus gave them new life in His life and are made holy and righteous by His blood. They now hate sin and love forgiveness in Jesus.

Therefore you do not only tell their brother their sin (the Law) but they all the more tell them of Christ’s forgiveness (Gospel). Without speaking the Word of forgiveness, the sinner cannot leave his sinful ways. There is now power in exposing your brother’s faults unless you also bring them into the glorious light of Christ’s forgiveness.

Remember, we’re just like St. Peter. Peter came to Him and said, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?” Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven.

Why should we forgive our neighbor to the 490th degree? By the Word of forgiveness in Jesus they are given the only remedy to their sin. When you forgive your brother, they are getting Jesus. And where there is Jesus forgiving, there is life and there is eternal salvation.

Saying those words: “I forgive you” to your children, your spouse, your parents, your pastor, your co-worker, your boss, your legislator, indeed all your neighbors is the most evangelical thing you can do. It’s the kind of thing only a Christian can do. It’s the best way to confess who you are in Jesus and what He has done for you. It’s one sinner administering the cure to another sinner just as Christ forgave them.

We are the servants of our Lord and God in the kingdom of heaven. By our sin, we owe our heavenly Father a great debt beyond what we could ever pay, Jesus describes laughably as something like 10,000 x 20 years wages. Yet, in his loving mercy for the sake of His Son Jesus, all this debt is paid. He placed our debts upon Jesus. Christ suffered and died in place of us, as our substitute. This is God the Father’s great compassion! And by this mercy we are released, freed, and forgiven of it all. We are forgiven to live with Him in His kingdom and serve Him in everlasting righteousness, innocence, and blessedness.

The servant in Jesus’ comparison is wicked. He received mercy beyond comparison yet cannot forgive his fellow servant a small debt. This forgiven servant comes to his fellow servant who owes him a mere three months labor not 10,000 times 20 years. Having received great mercy, what does he show to his fellow servant? He throttles him and demands repayment. The fellow servant pleads for mercy with the exact same words as before. But the forgiven servant refuses to forgive. He takes the blessings he received from his king and hordes them for himself.

What he received as a blessing becomes a curse. His debt was forgiven but having refused to forgiven, it is once again imputed to him. So also for us. The forgiveness so freely given to us in Jesus is turned to a curse if we refuse to forgive others.

Thus, we pray each day “…forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.” We forgive our brothers because we have been forgiven our every sin. We forgive them to give them Jesus. In the forgiveness given by each of you, your fellow servant and neighbor learns of Christ’s forgiveness. O Lord, how great is your compassion! Give to us hearts that so forgive others. Let us have compassion on each other, showing mercy, and saying “I forgive you” until the end.

In Name of the Father, + Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen.

Rev. Christopher R. Gillespie
Grace Lutheran Church
Dyer, Indiana

“Signs, signs, everywhere there are signs” – John 4:46-54

14. October 2012
Trinity 21
John 4:46-54

“Unless you see signs and wonders you will not believe.” Faith and signs go together. How does one know if the sign is true and from God or false and of the devil?

We look under ever rock for signs from God. We believe small events in our lives are signs despite the fact that God never promised such things nor is there any way to verify them. “Show me a sign and then I’ll know what to do!” or “It’s a sign from God,” you say. Especially when things get rough, you seek guidance and help from God and may even believe He speaks by your horoscope, your mystical gut instinct, or some absent hope grounded in nothing.

False teachers tell you to trust in worldly signs. Under the guise of Christianity they tell you that if you have enough faith then God will answer your prayers for great things. If you believe it with enough passion then He’ll do it. Pray hard. Believe that God will bless you abundantly and you’ll be rich beyond comparison. You can have you best life now if you have faith like a mountain. Miracles happen to those who love God completely. It’s almost as if we are trying to convince God to love us.  Then we go about our life paralyzed waiting for Him to give us a sign to help us believe, trust, and hope.

God is not without giving of signs. The rainbow is a sign that God will never destroy the world with a flood. We heard from Genesis that the stars and planets were given for signs and seasons. No one disputes that Jesus worked great signs beyond any of the prophets or even Moses. Jesus wasn’t trying to impress people. He couldn’t care less for popularity. And it doesn’t seem like His signs and wonders had much lasting effect.

Jesus said: “Unless you see signs and wonders you will not believe.” By signs and wonders, He means amazingly good stuff. Water into wine. Loaves and fishes multiplied. Peter walking on water. The sick healed. The lame leaping like deer, etc. If only God dramatically intervened in my life like He did for those folks, then I’d know He exists, that He loves me, and that He answers prayer. Thus, faith comes post hoc, that is, after signs and wonders. Yet, no one seems to believe based on the miracles He performed. The rejoice and then go back to the unbelieving ways.

What happens if God gives you a sign? Do you even recognize them? How do you know they are from God unless He has spoken? Fact is, you don’t know. That premonition or coincidence might just be that or it could even be Satan seeking to draw you away from God’s Word.

There are still problems with signs even if they are from God. What happens if you don’t like what He tells you? What if God gives you signs that you and all are your stuff are marching towards death? What if the signs are of the end of all things?

Jesus said of the end: “And there will be signs in the sun, in the moon, and in the stars; and on the earth distress of nations, with perplexity, the sea and the waves roaring; men’s hearts failing them from fear and the expectation of those things which are coming on the earth, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken.” (Luke 21:25-26) Surely, we are already seeing these signs come to pass, signaling the end of this earth?

So also, Jesus said: “You will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of sorrows.” (Matthew 24:6-8). Again, we are seeing signs of the time. Do we despair and panic? These times and troubles tell us that the whole world is under a curse for sin and is being judged. Or do we heed the Word of the Lord, that is, repent and believe the Gospel?

“Turn these rocks into bread!” said Satan. Jesus responded: “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’” (Matthew 4:4) The signs and wonders recorded by the Evangelists of Jesus are not meant to make you think he’s impressive or even worth listening to. They show the mercy of God and that His kingdom comes in with the Messiah Jesus. That is, the signs are given as proof that God has done what He has promised. They don’t grant faith but they confirm it.

Jesus said: “Unless you see signs and wonders you will not believe.” What is He getting at? As with the Centurion, the widow at Nain, or the begging Canaanite woman, Jesus is speaking rhetorically to test this nobleman’s faith. Will this man believe solely upon the Word or will he only believe with a sign?

The Nobleman from Capernaum came to Jesus for a sign. This wealthy guy comes seeking healing for his son who he has left at home, next to death. He wants a miracle and is willing to beg. What does Jesus give Him? Not a sign or a miracle but a Word. The official said to him, “Sir, come down before my child dies.” Jesus said to him, “Go, your son will live.” The man believed the word that Jesus spoke to him and went on his way.

Notice that no sign or wonder was performed before this man’s eyes. Jesus didn’t leave Cana and go to Capernaum. He didn’t touch the boy, call out to the boy, and give the boy one of Miracle Max’s potions. No miracle to see. Not even His word is all that miraculous. Jesus did not say, “Go, your son is healed” or “Go, your son is all better now.” Simple words only are uttered: “Your son lives.”

While this man comes noble and bold seeking signs and wonders, Jesus sends him away a simple man with only a word of promise: “Your son lives.” No one believes with signs and wonders. When good fortune comes your way you’re just as quick to credit the doctors, the employer, the government, or even Lady Luck before you give God the glory. Faith doesn’t come by seeing or experiencing. Faith comes by hearing.

We still seek after signs of God’s glory before faith. We want God to give us spectacular displays and pageantry, glorious anthems, beautiful surroundings, miraculous congregational growth, and overflowing wealth. We think that if we have these things then faith will grown and Grace will prosper. Does God give us these things as signs and wonders? Does He seek to impress you and be the most popular church on the block?

Jesus deals with us as He dealt with the Nobleman from Capernaum. It is enough to simply give you His Word of promise. Everything we do rests not on seeking after signs and wonders but trusting only in the full counsel of God. We hear His Word. We dwell richly in its doctrine. We meditate upon what He has said day and night. Our confidence, our hope, and our trust is not in signs and wonders but in the promises.

We know He keeps His promises and will always. By His holy prophets, God promised a sign: “On that day I will raise up The tabernacle of David, which has fallen down, And repair its damages; I will raise up its ruins, And rebuild it as in the days of old; That they may possess the remnant of Edom,
And all the Gentiles who are called by My name,” Says the Lord who does this thing.” (Amos 9:11-12, c.f. Isaiah 2:1-4; 42:6-7; 49:6; 52:10)

Dear brothers and sisters, this great sign which was both promised is now fulfilled in your hearing. God has raised up a new temple in the body of Christ. He has called you into this holy house, He has taught you his ways and granted to you faith, righteousness, and salvation. This is great sign: “And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come.” (Matthew 24:14)

Maybe you recall the conversation Jesus had with the Pharisees and Saducees: Then [they] came, and testing Him asked that He would show them a sign from heaven. 2 He answered and said to them, “When it is evening you say, ‘It will be fair weather, for the sky is red’; 3 and in the morning, ‘It will be foul weather today, for the sky is red and threatening.’ Hypocrites! You know how to discern the face of the sky, but you cannot discern the signs of the times. 4 A wicked and adulterous generation seeks after a sign, and no sign shall be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah.” (Matthew 16:1-4)

The sign of Jonah is Jesus’ death and resurrection. Just like the prophet Jonah, Jesus came preaching repentance for the forgiveness of sins and they murdered Him. Jesus was buried three days in the belly of the earth but the earth could not hold Him. Just as Jonah was spit from his watery tomb, Christ burst forth on Easter morning proclaiming the resurrection for all who believe.

The unbeliever sees the signs of the sky and yet fails to believe when the final sign comes. When confronted with the truth of this great sign, people do not believe. Despite the historic evidence, the eyewitness testimony, and even the hostile witnesses, even the greatest sign and wonder of the cross of Christ and his empty tomb does not grant faith.

A sign without a Word is empty. No one will believe unless this truth is married to the preaching of the Gospel. We must hear from Jesus that the guilt and shame for sin that we know and feel was placed upon Jesus. We must hear that death has been destroyed and that Christ’s resurrection is ours. When we see the sign of the Crucifix we only believe if we hear the Word that says: “Father, forgive them for they know not what they do!” and “It is finished!”

It is the same every Divine Service. You want your spirit lifted and He gives you the whole Word in Psalm to sing by the Holy Spirit. You come seeking joy and Christ gives you the Word: “Go, my son, your sins are forgiven!” You come hungering and thirsty for righteousness and He says to you: “Take, eat, this is my body.. [and] take, drink, this is the blood of the new testament shed for you for the forgiveness of sins.” These are not empty signs but great gifts because Jesus said so.

All this requires faith—trust. Even this trust is a gift from God by the Holy Spirit through the Word. When Jesus speaks, you believe. When He says, “You are forgiven!” this Word does what it says. You conscience is freed. You guilt is pardoned. Your shame is removed. At the Word of Jesus, you receive every hope, joy, and comfort that God gives.

John the Baptist recognized the sign when he pointed to the cross, “Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” “For Jews request a sign, and Greeks seek after wisdom; but we preach Christ crucified” (1 Cor 1:22-23). Only the devil and his host seek to take you away from this Word of Gospel, good news. Only he would have you trust in worldly signs and earthly wisdom. Instead, be strong in the Lord by taking up His every Word of promise as your shield and weapon. Trust in His promises and you will never die. Trust in Christ and you will find peace that passes understanding and joy beyond measure.

The cross of Christ is the sign that God answers our every prayer. By Jesus, every petition is given, including His kingdom, His will, daily bread, forgiveness, escape from temptation, and eternal life. We trust in God first in faith given by the Holy Spirit and then this faith is confirmed because He gave His son to die for us. It is enough. You may not be thoroughly convinced that God has your best interests in mind. Life has its horrible moments. Wars and rumors of wars surround us. The whole earth groans with birth pangs. They are a sign of the death of this body and this world. But the greater sign has already appeared. Christ died our death so that we will never die. He lives and so shall we live now and eternally. It is enough. Amen.

In Name of the Father, + Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen.

Rev. Christopher R. Gillespie
Grace Lutheran Church
Dyer, Indiana

“Who’s God Gonna Call?” – Matthew 22:1-14

07. October 2012

Catechetical Sermon on Election from the Article XI, Formula of Concord.

When the Formula of Concord was written, there had not been a controversy yet over the doctrine of election. In the Reformed and Zwinglian churches this most comforting doctrine had caused quite a stir. Our Lutheran forefathers prophetically authored article XI of the Formula to prevent unnecessary disagreement and separation among their successors. That’s you. In our midst, despite this comprehensive summary of teaching of Holy Scripture, many have fallen off the wagon—so to speak—into either denying the consoling Word from God or taking it too far in way of the Calvinist. Despite the abuse or misunderstanding by others we ought to explain this teaching from the Scriptures and find in it the grace our Lord intends.

First, God sees and foreknows everything that is and will be, that is happening or will happen, whether good or bad. While He foresees and foreknows both good and evil, His gracious will is not that evil happen. All the perversity of the devil and your wicked wants and desires is restrained by His knowledge. He limits evil—how far it should go, how long it should last, and when and how He will hinder and punish it. Our Lord orders all to his glory and your salvation. The author of evil is fallen man and his father the Devil. In His foreknowledge God even uses our perversity to His glory. To everyone but the godly, this is an astonishing thing [1 Cor 2:7-8].

While God forsees and foreknows who will receive Him in faith, the source of this saving faith is His gracious will and pleasure in Christ Jesus. The Holy Scriptures say God predestines or elects us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ [Eph 1:4-5]. This means God himself causes and works everything needed for our salvation, start to finish.

I’m betting you can already guess how some react to this teaching. “If God causes me to believe and He already knows I will believe then I don’t need to do anything.” Or for others: “God has chosen some and damned others already. I’m a total screw-up and there’s no way I’m one of the elect.” When challenged by these questions, many pastors will just throw up their hands in a panic. The doctrine of election is not to strengthen self-confidence without repentance (“Look at what I did! I accepted Jesus!”) nor is to leave you hopeless and in despair (“No one could save me!”)

Too many people who call themselves Christian, including many who remain on the membership roster here fall into the former camp. They say they are a Christian, that God will save them no matter who they are or what they do, acting as if they are invincible. They sin without repentance. They ignore the Word preached and the Holy Sacraments. Prayer, faith, and a godly walk are forgotten. And then others fall into the latter, claiming that no matter how much they go to church, repent, believe and receive the Sacrament, they could be lovely to God.

Even believers trap themselves in these thoughts and have to be drug out of the pit of despair or humbled from the throne of self-righteousness. Here is the sure response to this delusion: Holy Scripture is inspired by God. It is given for a confidence boost but for reproof, correction, and training in righteousness [2 Tim 3:16]. Nor is it given to drive us to despair but rather that we have hope [Romans 15:4]. When these Scriptures speak of our election, they drive us to the Word, encouraging us to repentance, godliness, and to strengthen our faith with the assurance of salvation.

We should idly speculate about God’s foreknowledge. We do not know what tomorrow will bring. Instead we look to God’s revelation in Christ Jesus. His purpose, will, and counsel which for you belongs to your redemption, call, justification, and sanctification. [Those doctrines will have to be explained more fully at another time!]

Christ taught this doctrine in today’s parable of the Wedding feast. Those who have ears to hear and eyes to see will know the comfort and consolation of their election. God himself has given His Son to be your bridegroom and you his bride. In a splendid way, all those who come to the wedding feast are not merely guest but the chose bride. None of them are worthy of the Son but are redeemed and reconciled by His faultless obedience, suffering, and death. This righteousness is given to you in a spotless and brilliant wedding garment. Joined to the eternal Son of God, you too will live eternally.

All that He did for us and every benefit of this matrimony of Christ and His church are shown, offered, and given through His Word and Sacraments. God works salvation in us by His Holy Spirit through this Word when it is preached, heard, and pondered. Christ himself works on us, converting our hearts to repentance and preserving them in true faith. By this gracious working, we are justified before God, receiving adoption of sons, and the promised inheritance [Gal 3:19].

Not only that, His Spirit will sanctify us, that is, make us holy in love and all good works [Eph 1:4]. He will protect us from the devil, world, and our own flesh. He will rule and lead us, lift us up when we stumble, comfort us when under cross or in temptation, and preserve us forever. This work which He began in us at Holy Baptism, He strengthens and supports in those who cling to His Word, pray at all times, abide in God’s goodness, and use the gifts they have received [Matthew 25:14-30]. Finally, He will eternally save and glorify in life eternal all whom He has elected, called, and justified.

All this must be included in the doctrine of election or you will fall into error. Those who refuse to hear the Word and receive the Sacrament can no longer find comfort in election. Those who reject the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit will find no help when they refuse to repent. Those who reject their baptism will show up to the feast ashamedly naked and damned.

There is still yet a sticky wicket. How can we know and why or how can we perceive who are the elect and thus receive this doctrine for their comfort? Only the elect, whose names are written in the book of life are saved [Revelation 21:27]. We cannot use our reason or appearance who are the elect. We cannot plunge the murky depths of God’s hidden will.We turn to He revealed will made clear in Christ [Eph 1:9].

St. Paul tells us that “those whom He predestined [elected] He also called” (Romans 8:30). God calls through His Word, when repentance and forgiveness of sins is proclaimed in His name [Luke 24:47]. In today’s parable, the King called the guests that He wants to have at His Son’s wedding through the minsters He send out. He calls at the first, second, third, sixth, ninth, and even the eleventh hour.

This doctrine only bothers us if we fail to remember that the preaching of repentance and the promise of the Gospel are universal, belonging to all people. Thus, we preach to all nations. For God so loved the world, that He gave His only son (John 3:16). Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world (John 1:29)! Jesus is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but for the sins of the whole world (1 John 2:2). He does not wish any should perish, but that all should reach repentance (2 Peter 3:9). God will work through His Word in the people He calls to enlighten, convert, and save them. The Holy Spirit wills by the Word to work salvation. It is God’s will that all receive the Word, believe it, and obey it.

You hear His voice. He knows you and you follow Him. You gladly hear the Gospel, believe in Christ for salvation, pray and give thanks, are made holy in love, with hope, patience, and comfort in suffering. All this may be weak in you and yet you hunger and thirst for righteousness. He has begun the good work in you. He will preserve it to the end, granted that you do not turn from Him, but hold firmly to Him unto the end. This is God’s revealed will in Jesus Christ.

Christ said “strive to enter through the narrow gate” (Luke 13:24). And in today’s Gospel parable He said: “Many are called, but few are chosen.” This does not mean that while God calls everyone He only means to save a few. He desires all to come to saving knowledge and faith. He desires none to be damned. Our God is loving and He is merciful in Jesus. This is certain and true. This is His will and promise for you. This is why He not only gives to you the promise of salvation in the Gospel in general but attaches it to testaments of Baptism and Lord’s Supper. As the baptized, you know the Gospel is for you. As you eat bread of life that is His flesh you receive the life of the world (John 6:51). The blood of Christ cleanses you of all sin (1 John 1:7).

This is why our churches have retained private Absolution. It is God’s command that you believe such Absolution. Jesus said you are truly reconciled to God as though you heard a voice from heaven, even though it sounded like your pastor [John 12:28-30]. This opportunity to hear the Gospel personally applied to you grants the certainty of Christ’s Word. He has elected you and has called you in repentance and faith.

Apart from the work of the Holy Spirit effective through the Word preached, heard, and considered, all are heathens. Some simply despise God’s Word, rejecting the invitation just like those of the parable. Others make great excuses about their farm or business and thus thrust aside the Word. And still others are openly hostile to the Word, blaspheming it and persecuting the church and her messengers. So, hearing the Word refuse to take it to heart, hardening it in sin. Some resist the truth they have learned by the Holy Spirit. Others persist in sin without repentance. Some make an outward show but truly do not believe. And still others try to find righteousness and salvation outside of Christ [Romans 9:31]. The heart of flesh is inclined towards nothing but evil.

The challenge of the doctrine of election for us is that God allows man to reject Him. The Holy Spirit calls, enlightens, and converts the elect through the Word [Romans 10:7]. He justifies and saves those who in true faith receive Jesus. In the same way, He hardens and condemns those who reject the Word and resist the Holy Spirit, even while the Holy Spirit is working in them through the Word. They are like the man of the parable who want the benefits but do not desire to be clothed in Christ’s grace.

Few receive the Word and follow it. Most despise the Word of invitation and will not come to the wedding (Matt 22:3-6). The cause of their contempt is not God’s foreknowledge or election but their own perverted will. The human will rejects the means of the Holy Spirit. The fallen will hates the Word preached or the Sacraments given. How often the Christ would gather by the Holy Spirit but many will not allow Him. People willfully turn away from Christ and His gifts, even after receiving them with joy. They instead love the filth of the world and redecorate their hard hearts to be homes for the devil.

This is as much as the Scriptures reveal to us on the mystery of election. If we abide by this teaching, it is useful, saving, and consoling. We are justified and saved without works or merits of our own, but purely out of God’s grace for Christ’s sake. Even before the foundation of the world was laid—even while we could do no good—we were chosen by grace in Christ for salvation, all according to God’s purpose.

God wants to know He is greatly concerned about your salvation. He provided for it from before the world was made and will preserve it in you until the end. You can be certain even while weak in spirit, tempted by evil, or even tormented by devil and the world, that this eternal purpose cannot be overthrown. Your salvation is sure in Jesus Christ, from whom no one can snatch you. Jesus will give you patience, consolation, hope, always working for the good even in the midst of a wicked and perverse generation. Not even the gates of hell can topple the church nor you His bride.

In Name of the Father, + Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen.

Rev. Christopher R. Gillespie
Grace Lutheran Church
Dyer, Indiana