Five Minutes a Day with Luther - 05-31-2012

[Five Minutes with Luther]

FIVE MINUTES A DAY WITH LUTHER

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


May 31

Gal 6:16-18 And those who will walk by this rule, peace and
mercy be upon them, and upon the Israel of God. From now on let
no one cause trouble for me, for I bear on my body the
brand-marks of Jesus. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be
with your spirit, brethren. Amen.

* * *

Paul here adds: This is the only and true rule wherein we ought
to walk, namely, the new creature, which is found neither in
circumcision nor uncircumcision, but the new man is created in
the image of God in righteousness and true holiness. Those who
effect a hypocritical and wicked righteousness and holiness, who
hope to be justified by the keeping of their rule, are cruel
enemies of the truth. But the rule of which Paul speaks here,
is blessed, by which we live in the faith of Christ, and are
made new creatures by the Holy Ghost. To such new creatures
belong peace, that is, the favor of God, forgiveness of sins,
and help in affliction. Yes, they who walk according to this
rule, even if they are overtaken with any sin, yet because they
are the children of grace and peace, mercy upholds them. They
are the true Israel of God, who with faithful Abraham believe
the promises of God offered in Christ, whether they are Jews or
Gentiles. Then he concludes by saying: I have faithfully taught
the Gospel as I have received it by the revelation of Jesus
Christ; whoever will not follow it, let him follow what he will,
just so that he troubles me no more, for I show in my body the
marks of the Lord Jesus. Because I openly confess that no man
can obtain the favor of God, righteousness, and salvation but by
Christ alone, these marks (his stripes and sufferings) are laid
upon me by the world and the devil. Finally, he bids them
farewell in the same words with which he began his Epistle: a
prayer that God's grace and blessing may rest upon them.

Oft in sorrow, oft in woe,
Onward, Christians, onward go;
Bear the toil, maintain the strife,
Strengthened with the Bread of life.

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

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