Five Minutes a Day with Luther - 05-29-2012

[Five Minutes with Luther]

FIVE MINUTES A DAY WITH LUTHER

** Now available in book form: http://lcmssermons.com/about5mins.php **


May 29

Gal 6:14 But may it never be that I should boast, except in the
cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been
crucified unto Me, and I to the world.

* * *

The Apostle closes up the matter with an expression of
indignation. "May it never be," says he. Let them glory in the
flesh who wish, and let them perish with their cursed glory. As
for me, I desire no other glory, but that by means of which I
glory and rejoice in the cross of Christ. Here Paul shows what
is the glory and rejoicing of Christians: We glory and rejoice
in the tribulations, reproaches, infirmities for Christ's sake.
The world judges Christians to be wretched and miserable men, and
they also most cruelly persecute, condemn, and kill the
Christians as pernicious plagues in the spiritual and worldly
kingdom. But the Christians glory, because they suffer these
things for Christ's sake, the benefit and glory of whom they set
forth. Now, Paul would say, our glory is increased and confirmed
principally by these two things: first, because we are certain
that our doctrine is sound and perfect; secondly, because our
cross and suffering is the suffering of Christ. We suffer the
hatred and persecution of our adversaries for no other reason,
but because we preach Christ faithfully and purely. If we would
deny Him, and approve their pernicious errors and wicked
religion, they would not only cease to hate us, but would also
offer us riches and honor. Jesus says: "If you were of the
world, the world would love his own; but because you are not of
the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the
world hates you" (John 15:19).

In the cross of Christ I glory,
Tow'ring o'er the wrecks of time;
All the light of sacred glory
Gathers round its head sublime.

---
Cuda.
aka Pastor Robin Fish
Lutheran to the core -- and just a little beyond.

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