RIGHT-CLICK HERE to save the audio file.
“The Just Shall Live by Faith”
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and from our Lord
and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.
To live by every Word that proceeds
from the mouth of God is to live by faith. Faith is a painful and awkward
thing. It is not at home in our flesh, for our flesh is weak. It wants its own
way. It wants satisfaction. We like things that we think are strong. Our flesh
prefers bread for our bellies to the Words of God’s mouth. But “the just shall live by faith.” It is in
weakness that God’s strength is made perfect.
“The
just shall live by faith,” but it will hurt every step of the way. On this
side of glory, the just struggle with the old Adam. They are still attacked by
the devil. Satan dislikes nothing so much as faith. His temptations lead us to
the things he thinks are concrete: works and success; fame—things that can be
measured, seen, heard, or felt. Satan would have us live by reason, experience,
or even feelings—anything but faith. But “the
just shall live by faith”…whether they like it or not.
Faith wants us to live now as we
will live forever: by the Word of God, without concern for food or any bodily
needs, and certainly without sin. On this side of glory, where Christ is, there
the devil is also. That’s why Luther says, “Where
God builds a Church, the devil builds a chapel.” Where the Lord gives
faith, the devil does his most ardent work. That is why you face so many
temptations. That is why the prophets were persecuted and the apostles were
martyred; this is why Jesus was killed; this is why the world hates you. Satan
doesn’t attack those he owns.
Satan has had the entire history of
man to practice his craft. Logic, reason, works, tradition, history, and experience
are of no help on their own. Only Christ, the Word of God made flesh, can come
to our aid. Satan’s wisdom is thwarted by the statement, “The just shall live by faith.” God is for us in Jesus Christ,
fighting the battle. The devil seeks to conquer by violence and threat. Christ defeats Him
by submitting to violence. Satan’s power is not unlimited; but until the last day
he is a formidable enemy. He attacks on every side. But Christ’s power is unlimited.
It is wider than the world and longer than time.
In Christ have an Advocate with the
Father, a Hero and Champion who has destroyed your enemies. He has taken up
your flesh, suffered for your transgressions, and has died and risen to redeem
your soul. He gives you His Name. He places His Spirit upon you. He was tempted
in every way, but He did not fail. He has even believed for you. He alone lived
by faith. For your sake, He overcame the devil’s lies with His own Word.
When His trials in the desert had
ended, angels ministered to Our Lord. In the same way they also minister to
you. That is not to say you won’t be tempted or suffer. God forgets our
sins and casts them into the deepest part of the sea, removing them as far as
the East is from the West. Still, our fallen minds and bodies remember. They
still crave forbidden things. And our fallen spirits are timid. They are afraid
to believe. But God does not break promises. His angels protect you and pray
for you.
Stop trying to figure it out. Don't
analyze it. Let God do all the work, even the thinking. Jesus died on purpose.
He also rose again. He knows what He is doing. He has overcome all these things
for you. You are forgiven, made clean, pure, holy, and righteous in these
baptismal waters, and there you are given the faith by which the just live.
This is true whether you feel it or not, whether or not it makes sense. Jesus
died and rose. But He didn't just die and rise again. He died and rose again
for you. “The just shall live by faith”
in this death and resurrection. And that faith is our Lord’s gift to you. In
the name of the Father and of the Son (+) and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
The
peace of God which passes all understanding will keep your hearts and minds in
Christ Jesus always. Amen.
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment