(He
who has not tasted the bitter does not remember the sweet); and hunger is the best
cook. Therefore as the dry ground thirsts
for rain, so the Law makes troubled hearts thirst for Christ. To them Christ tastes very sweet; to them He is Joy, Consolation, and Life. Then men begin properly to appreciate Christ
and His office. Therefore this is the
best use of the Law, when a man can so use it as to humble himself and make
himself thirst for Christ. For Christ calls
for thirsty souls, whom He most affectionately invites when He says: "Come
unto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you
rest"….To the poor He preaches glad tidings; to the thirsty He gives
drink. "If any man thirst",
says He, "let him come unto Me and drink"
(WLS #2350)
Friday, June 29, 2012
Thursday, June 28, 2012
GOSPEL: Matthew 5:13-16
Reading
Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men. Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
Commentary
If we are not willing, and do not rebuke the evil of this world (unbelievers living wickedly), this "salt" has lost its flavor, and is henceforth good for nothing, to be trodden under foot of men. Such Christians are not true Christians. True Christians however are the light of this world. We confess and repent of our sins, putting our faith in Jesus Christ our Light. Since He has saved us by the reconciliation of the cross, we love Him and praise His name. With His help we also bring forth good fruit, the fruits of faith. Hence we live according to God's commandments, a very different life in contrast to the world. But more importantly, we bear witness to this world, by word and deed, that Christ is not only our Savior, but the world's. We too want all men to be saved, and to come to the knowledge of truth.
Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men. Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
Commentary
If we are not willing, and do not rebuke the evil of this world (unbelievers living wickedly), this "salt" has lost its flavor, and is henceforth good for nothing, to be trodden under foot of men. Such Christians are not true Christians. True Christians however are the light of this world. We confess and repent of our sins, putting our faith in Jesus Christ our Light. Since He has saved us by the reconciliation of the cross, we love Him and praise His name. With His help we also bring forth good fruit, the fruits of faith. Hence we live according to God's commandments, a very different life in contrast to the world. But more importantly, we bear witness to this world, by word and deed, that Christ is not only our Savior, but the world's. We too want all men to be saved, and to come to the knowledge of truth.
Wednesday, June 27, 2012
EPISTLE: II Timothy 3:5-17
Reading
Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith. But they shall proceed no further: for their folly shall be manifest unto all men, as theirs also was. But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience, Persecutions, afflictions, which came unto me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured: but out of them all the Lord delivered me. Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived. But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.
Commentary
We have here God's admonition and general warnings concerning the last days before Judgment Day. Besides being a terrible time of moral degredation and decay (men are lovers of self, self-centered, lovers of pleasures, heady, high minded), such have a form of godliness. This means they go to church and even confess Christ, yet they are "ever learning and never able to come to the knowledge of truth." These false Christians seduce women into sin (fornication) and they resist and repel God's Word away from them (denying its truth) "But they shall proceed no further: for their folly shall be manifest…" Their hypocrisy will be laid bare for the world to see. To such wicked "religious" people Paul contrasts himself and his constant suffering for the cause of Christ. "But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience, Persecutions, afflictions….." We are therefore to be on our guard against such seducers in the Visible Church of our day, and we are to diligently search the Scriptures. We too can be deceived into such foolish and wicked ways as the world, unless we faithfully use the Word of God to guide us. "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness."
Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith. But they shall proceed no further: for their folly shall be manifest unto all men, as theirs also was. But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience, Persecutions, afflictions, which came unto me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured: but out of them all the Lord delivered me. Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived. But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.
Commentary
We have here God's admonition and general warnings concerning the last days before Judgment Day. Besides being a terrible time of moral degredation and decay (men are lovers of self, self-centered, lovers of pleasures, heady, high minded), such have a form of godliness. This means they go to church and even confess Christ, yet they are "ever learning and never able to come to the knowledge of truth." These false Christians seduce women into sin (fornication) and they resist and repel God's Word away from them (denying its truth) "But they shall proceed no further: for their folly shall be manifest…" Their hypocrisy will be laid bare for the world to see. To such wicked "religious" people Paul contrasts himself and his constant suffering for the cause of Christ. "But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience, Persecutions, afflictions….." We are therefore to be on our guard against such seducers in the Visible Church of our day, and we are to diligently search the Scriptures. We too can be deceived into such foolish and wicked ways as the world, unless we faithfully use the Word of God to guide us. "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness."
Monday, June 25, 2012
OT: Isaiah 12:1-6
Reading
And in that day thou shalt say, O LORD, I will praise thee: though thou wast angry with me, thine anger is turned away, and thou comfortedst me. Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: for the LORD JEHOVAH is my strength and my song; he also is become my salvation. Therefore with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation. And in that day shall ye say, Praise the LORD, call upon his name, declare his doings among the people, make mention that his name is exalted. Sing unto the LORD; for he hath done excellent things: this is known in all the earth. Cry out and shout, thou inhabitant of Zion: for great is the Holy One of Israel in the midst of thee.
Commentary
This chapter in Isaiah is a prophecy concerning Christ and the reconciliation He achieved between God and man, via the cross. "Though thou wast angry with me, thine anger is turned away, and thou comfortedst me." Because of man's sin, God's anger was justly kindled against all mankind. Without the God-man Christ, God's wrath would still be upon us for our sin. Christ Jesus however, took God's wrath upon Himself on the cross, and suffered for all our sins. This willing sacrifice turned and literally moved the heart of God, so there was peace. God really turned His own anger away from us, through Jesus Christ our Lord. He is worthy of all our praise, as this chapter reveals. "Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: for the LORD JEHOVAH is my strength and my song; he also is become my salvation." Note also the last verse, "great is the Holy One of Israel in the midst of thee." Psalm 45 says similar, "God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved: God shall help her, and that right early." God lives in the midst of His Church (Zion), through the Means of Grace. His Spirit through the Word brings and comforts our hearts with the forgiveness of all sin.
And in that day thou shalt say, O LORD, I will praise thee: though thou wast angry with me, thine anger is turned away, and thou comfortedst me. Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: for the LORD JEHOVAH is my strength and my song; he also is become my salvation. Therefore with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation. And in that day shall ye say, Praise the LORD, call upon his name, declare his doings among the people, make mention that his name is exalted. Sing unto the LORD; for he hath done excellent things: this is known in all the earth. Cry out and shout, thou inhabitant of Zion: for great is the Holy One of Israel in the midst of thee.
Commentary
This chapter in Isaiah is a prophecy concerning Christ and the reconciliation He achieved between God and man, via the cross. "Though thou wast angry with me, thine anger is turned away, and thou comfortedst me." Because of man's sin, God's anger was justly kindled against all mankind. Without the God-man Christ, God's wrath would still be upon us for our sin. Christ Jesus however, took God's wrath upon Himself on the cross, and suffered for all our sins. This willing sacrifice turned and literally moved the heart of God, so there was peace. God really turned His own anger away from us, through Jesus Christ our Lord. He is worthy of all our praise, as this chapter reveals. "Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: for the LORD JEHOVAH is my strength and my song; he also is become my salvation." Note also the last verse, "great is the Holy One of Israel in the midst of thee." Psalm 45 says similar, "God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved: God shall help her, and that right early." God lives in the midst of His Church (Zion), through the Means of Grace. His Spirit through the Word brings and comforts our hearts with the forgiveness of all sin.
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