7-25-2017

Good Morning All,

          Romans 7:15; “For I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate”

    This past weekend we had a Baptism.  Our youngest granddaughter is now baptized into God’s family.  We had a fun and active weekend with everyone over.  With all the excitement some of the younger ones (and some of the older ones) needed a nap.  Our oldest granddaughter, who is two going on three, crawled up on my lap and snuggled in.  With a little prodding from Grandma and mom, I took her to the bedroom where we were going to take a short nap.  We began with the required couple of books and then we were to sleep; at least that was the plan.  Little Sydney would toss and turn and roll and sit up and roll around.  Finally, I said, “Sydney, just close your eyes and go to sleep.”  She looked at me and said, “I try to do this (She closed her eyes tightly) but my eyes keep doing this (her beautiful eyes are wide open)”.

    Little Sydney knew what she wanted to do but couldn’t do it.  Many of us have this same experience when trying to sleep.  It also describes the way our life goes.  On our own, we are unable to do the good that we need to do in order to follow God’s Law.  We look out into the world and we know what we should do.  We know we need to help our neighbor, we know we need to spend time in worship, we know we need to not be focused outwardly and not inwardly on our own selfish desires.  This is a large part of what Luther meant when he taught we are saved by grace alone.

    Nothing we do in our life is able to accomplish God’s will.  Even when we know what we need to do, even what we want to do; we are unable to accomplish it.  We are unable, on our own, to keep God’s will.  It can be right in front of us, we can even set out to do exactly what the Ten Commandments lay out for us.  Yet when we want to do this (follow God’s Law); we always do that (sin).  We cannot “by my own reason or strength, believe in Jesus Christ my Lord or come to him.” (explanation to Third Article).  We need help, we need salvation; we need Jesus.

    This is exactly why Jesus came to earth; to keep the Law perfectly.  Jesus kept the Law so that we, being declared holy by God’s love, can now follow the Law with the aid and guidance of the Holy Spirit.  We can now see the Law, desire to keep it and, with the help of the Spirit, do good works.  We can plan an event and do it because we are no longer the driving force in our life; Jesus is the life force for us.  There will be failures; our old sinful self is still in existence and will show up but God’s grace will call us back.  By God’s grace, we can serve him in gladness.

Gracious and loving God, you are our only hope.  We can never stand on our feet.  Through your grace, you empower us to be your children and to serve you with love and joy.  Move us by your Spirit to be your people and to go forward in faith toward you and in fervent love for our fellow man.  In the precious name of Jesus, we pray, amen

God’s Peace,

Pastor Bret