2023-1-23 Growing into the Faith

 2023-1-23 Vespers Joel 2:18-32 Romans 11:25-12:13

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

What shall we do with God’s mercy? How do we receive the mercy of Jesus Christ and His cross? Do we receive it as the gift that we did not seek, but are obligated to receive with a smile and a “thank you”? Many people give gifts because they feel obligated.  Many receive gifts with a smile and a thank you because they feel obligated. What happens to those gifts? They are regifted, given to Goodwill, or it just sits on the shelf, forgotten and unused.   

I think there are many who have received Baptism as infants and at the “age of reason,” who treat God’s mercy in this manner.  The reception of grace is a thing that is done, an obligation fulfilled because of some member of the family or community, then we forget about it.  If not forgotten, then scant attention is paid to the way God desires that His mercy shapes a life. 

In his letter to the church in Rome, Paul encourages us to receive the gift of Christ’s cross with faith and then let God’s Holy Spirit work Christ’s cross into every aspect of our life.   “I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.”

As we can only live within the body we are born with, and as all sin and forgiveness happens within the orbit of our bodies, and the only way we worship God is through our bodies, then our faith filled response to God’s grace, and the sanctification of the Holy Spirit will happen within our bodies.  

Responding to God’s grace of the cross, the first thing Paul encourages us to do is examine how we will live within the culture in which we inhabit.  In order for that examination to take place, there must be a transforming renewal of our minds.  

The Holy Spirit brings renewal when we obey our Lord’s urging to “repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” Here we take the blessing of Holy Baptism and allow it to work on us each and every day.  Not just the day in which we are baptized, but each day going forward.  Martin Luther explains to us in his Catechism that Holy Baptism works forgiveness of sins, rescues from death and the devil and gives eternal salvation too all who believe this.  

Our non-conformity with the world begins with repentance.  We recognize that not all is well with us and our world and that we need help from a more powerful outside source. True repentance on our part leads to forgiveness from God which gives us strength to seek forgiveness from others. Forgiveness is restoration and healing. Martin Luther also says that Baptism “indicates that the Old Adam in us should by daily contrition and repentance be drowned and die with all sins and evil desires, and that a new man should daily emerge and arise to live before God in righteousness and purity forever.”

After that, what direction should the “new man” take?  This then is where chapters 12-14 are most helpful. Paul gives us a guide.  We already have a guide in the 10 commandments.  Luther showed us how the “Thou shalt not” of the commandments may be turned into positive ways of loving and serving God and neighbor.  Because the church of Rome includes people who are gentiles, they are not familiar with the Old Testament teachings. Paul offers instruction that is intended as a guide for the Christian life.  We may summarize what he says in today’s lectionary reading as follows:

• Embrace humility 

• Dismiss the delusion that the world exists for you and your edification. You live for God and for the congregation and community that you are a part of. 

• Use your God given gifts for the benefit of the Church.

• Regardless of what gifts you have, love others.

• Keep away from that which opposes God and God’s will.

• Behave and speak in an honorable manner.

• Rejoice in the hope given us by Jesus Christ - the Light of our life.

• Endure suffering patiently.

• Pray for others, pray for yourself

• Contribute to the church as you are able financially and with your personal talents and gifts

• Welcome others as Christ welcomes you. 

All of these teachings involve a sacrifice of self.  All of these are ways in which we may respond to God’s grace. This is our spiritual worship. 

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