Our Hope

Our covenant is a covenant of hope in Christ Jesus, our Lord!

But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. 1 Peter 3:15-16 NIV

I must confess that every now and then any semblance of gentleness and respect in me flies out the window. It doesn't happen often and I am usually sorry that I was not more gentle later. Yes, I am sorry when I correct people, not so gently. When it does happen, it is usually when their egos threaten to override anything that would glorify God. When the hope that we have in Christ Jesus becomes hope in the works of people, I get just a little frustrated. I get frustrated when "Christians" who have been "Christians" most of their lives put their own desires before the will of God; forgetting that Jesus is Lord of all; forgetting that our mission is to serve others as Jesus did and does rather than serve ourselves.

Our hope is not in what we or anyone else can do or will attempt to do. Our hope is in the life-giving sacrifice of Jesus for all people. Our hope is in the Kingdom to which Jesus opened the doors to all who would believe in him. Our hope is in Jesus. Our hearts shall revere him above all others, and most definitely above ourselves.

May God help us to be able to speak clearly and gently as we profess that Jesus (and no other) is Lord!

God's Peace - Pr. J

Deliver Us From Evil

THE LORD'S PRAYER
The Seventh Petition.

But deliver us from evil.

What does this mean?--Answer.
We pray in this petition, as in a summary, that our Father in heaven would deliver us from all manner of evil, of body and soul, property and honor, and at last, when our last hour shall come, grant us a blessed end, and graciously take us from this vale of tears to Himself into heaven. Amen.

What does this mean?--Answer.
That I should be certain that these petitions are acceptable to our Father in heaven and heard; for He Himself has commanded us so to pray, and has promised that He will hear us. Amen, Amen; that is, Yea, yea, it shall be so.

(http://bookofconcord.org/smallcatechism.php)

 

In this petition we pray that we be kept from all evils that plague this world. Martin Luther in the Large Catechism wrote: "But this petition he has put last, for if we are to be protected and delivered from all evil, his name must be hallowed in us, his kingdom come among us, and his will be done. Then he will preserve us from sin and shame and from everything else that harms or injures us."

 

Therefore; all of the petitions in the Lord's Prayer must be prayed with a sincere faith that God hears our prayers and answers. We cannot expect to be kept from evil if we do not revere God's name which is who and what He is; if we do not desire to live in his kingdom; or if we do not desire that his will be done among us here on earth. His will is for our good. If we do not desire his will to be done, how are we to expect that we are to kept safe from the evil one? It would be tantamount to jumping into a bonfire and expect not to get burned. Of course, all things are possible with God. But, it's probably not the best idea to be testing him. Jesus wouldn't, why would we think we can or should?

 

So we pray the Lord's prayer with faith and all God's people say Amen; that's the way it is. We give thanks for in His mercy He has heard our prayers and answered.

 

God's Peace - Pr. J