August 30, 2023 | Martin Luther – Day 15

 

“Farewell to those want an entirely pure and purified church. This is plainly wanting no church at all.”

Martin Luther

 

 

 

It’s true. The church building is where sinners congregate, each and every one of us playing our part in a sinful society, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23).

 

 

Ever since that fateful day in the garden at the dawn of time, we have chosen to be our own gods, making our own rules, trying to shape the one true God into our image. Because of this, sin has become like a virus spreading to every person, impervious to human intervention.

 

 

And the cost of a life lived in sin? Death, “For the wages of sin is death!..” (Romans 6:23a) On our own there is no way to rectify our sinful shortcomings. Every person who has ever lived, those who are living and those who will have life after we are gone, will die as penalty for sins committed.

 

 

Fortunately for us, there is a part b to Romans 6:23, “… but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Out of a love we could never imagine, God could not let death be our final fate. Instead, He provided for us a Savior, “But God shows His love for us in that while we were sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8).

 

 

Even though all have sinned and have fallen short of God’s glory, Jesus took on our debt through His death so that, even as sinners, we might put on His righteousness. There may be no pure and purified church, but, because of Christ, we are able to take on His purity. Now, seen as pure in God’s eyes through the prism of His Son, we have hope towards a glorious and everlasting inheritance in heaven.

 

 

Now, as God’s adopted children, we are asked to come to grips with our sin and the gift God has given us by His grace and mercy because, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9).

 

 

Today, make full confession to God of your sinfulness and remain secure in His forgiveness won for us by His Son. Pledge your life to the one who saved us from sin and death and provided for us an everlasting home.

 

 

Our prayer: Heavenly Father, thank you for providing a way toward righteousness. Help us to more clearly understand both our need for you and the grace and mercy you offer. Amen.