THE WEEK OF TRINITY XVIII - SATURDAY

LESSON: ROMANS 5:18‒21

Now we are discharged from the law, dead to that which held us captive, so that we serve not under the old written code but in the new life of the Spirit. Romans 7:6

Where true, genuine love of God flows from a man’s heart, there is also true resignation to God’s holy will. Such a heart should readily declare, “Lord God, I am your creature; do with me as You will. I know that all is for the best, because I am Yours. This much I know. And if it is Your will that I should die forthwith, or suffer some great misfortune, I will accept whatever is Your will with my whole heart. I will never regard my life, honor, welfare, or whatever I own, as higher and greater than Your will. For my whole life, I shall be pleased to do Your will.”

You will never find anyone who can make such a declaration, one who has given full obedience to God’s commandment, in this Gospel (Matthew 22:34‒46). For in accordance with the requirements of this commandment, the whole of the life which you live in this body in your five senses, and whatever you do in this body, must all be done to the greater honor and praise of God who says, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.” Where is there a single man who can make such a claim?

But thanks be to God! Christ is set before us and given to us by His Father to free us from our sins, death, an evil conscience, and especially also from all the accusations of the Law. If we cling to Christ, we are acquitted and free from the Law and all its demands.

SL.XI.1695,24,28,30

PRAYER: Thanks and praise, heavenly Father, for Your mercy and grace in the gift of Your Son, who by His suffering and death has freed us from sin, death, and the condemnation of Your holy Law, for the glory of Your mercy and grace, in and through Jesus Christ. 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, 5:169-183.