THE WEEK OF TRINITY XV -  WEDNESDAY

LESSON: COLOSSIANS 3:5-11

Be sure of this, that no immoral or impure man, or one who is covetous (that is, an idolater), has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. Ephesians 5:5

Where are these people who love God and have no hankering at all after money and property? Take a close look at the whole world, including the Christians, to see whether they despise money and property. To hear the Gospel and to live according to it requires some effort and serious attention. We have the Gospel, God be praised; no one can deny that. But what is our response to it? Our one concern is to hear it and learn it and nothing more comes of it. We allow ourselves to be persuaded that it is enough for us to know it; we never bother ourselves with actually doing it. What does cause grave concern is if anyone leaves a florin or two, or it may be only a cent or two, on the windowsill or somewhere else in a room unguarded. This could cause concern and even fear that the money might be stolen. But it does not concern the same people very much to be without the Gospel for a whole year or so. And such fellows want to be classed as evangelicals!

Here we see what and who such people really are. If we were true Christians, we would despise earthly property and become really concerned about the Gospel. We would also live by it and prove this by our deeds. We see too little of such Christians. We must hear the judgement of the Gospel (Matthew 6:24-24) that we despise God and hate His Word for the sake of earthly riches and blessings. What a fine reputation that is! We should be ashamed in the very depths of our heart. We are really in a bad way.

SL 11:1615 (6-7)

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, forgive us our many sins of omission when it comes to really putting Your Word and Gospel into practice. Enlighten us by Your Holy Spirit that the Gospel becomes our greatest treasure, bestowing upon us the power to live as Your true children, through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Editor’s note: No American Edition (AE) equivalent for today’s sermon excerpt exists at the time of this publication. For an alternate English translation of this sermon, see Lenker, Church Postil—Gospels, 5:102-117.