"Little children, let no one deceive you" (1 John 3:7).
Seven times in his first epistle, the apostle John uses the term of endearment "little children." He was probably in his eighties when he wrote 1 John. He was a true spiritual father to the Christians in Asia Minor, and he IS the same to us.
You will find "little children" in 2:1, 2:12, 2:28, 3:7, 3:18, 4:4, and 5:21.
One of the reasons John uses the term is that someone else once called him, along with ten other men, "little children." See John 13:33.
John knew the love that Christ had for him. And that love couldn't help but turn into a love for others. In John's case, it was a pastoral love for the members of the church.
Step one is to know the love that Christ has for you. Step two is to let that love turn into a love for others in your life. Who will it be? You will know.
Sunday, April 15, 2018
Wednesday, April 11, 2018
Sixth and Seventh Petitions
For the record, during Holy Week we did not meditate on a part of the Small Catechism. Then last week I gave a little sermon on the Sixth Petition. That brings us to the Seventh Petition, about which I have said and written much over the past year. In this final petition we look ahead to the close of this short life, the leaving behind of all sin and sorrow, and the going to be with Christ in Heaven - with Jesus in Paradise. Until then let us live our lives in the following manner.
"...faith, hope, and love" (1 Cor. 13:13).
As a Christian, you believe, hope, and love at the same time and all of the time.
Yet one idea would be to place a special emphasis on faith in the evening, on hope in the morning, and then on love throughout the day.
Faith in the evening - Another word for "faith" is "rest." As you rest your body after a day's work, learn to rest your soul and mind in God especially in the evening. Enjoy a time of devotion and prayer, quiet and peace. Remember the Cross especially in the evening. Turn all matters over to God. Luther had the habit of going to the window in the evening and asking God, "Is it my world or Yours? Is it my church or Yours? If they are Yours, please take care of them. I'm tired and going to bed. Good night, my God."
Hope in the morning - At the rising of the sun remember the rising of the Son. "Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead" (2 Tim. 2:8) - especially in the morning. Remember your Baptism. Sing in your heart Psalm 118:24: "This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it!" You may have a lot to do. You may have a test at school. You may be undergoing surgery. But the risen Lord will help you. He will use you. For His blessing is both upon the day and upon you!
Love throughout the day - You are rested. You are hopeful. You are ready to love, serve, and encourage others throughout the day. It could be your spouse, children, friend, client, stranger, etc. Strive not to be recognized but to recognize the needs of others. Work your way through the day in love with help from above, knowing that the evening will bring you rest.
Amen.
"...faith, hope, and love" (1 Cor. 13:13).
As a Christian, you believe, hope, and love at the same time and all of the time.
Yet one idea would be to place a special emphasis on faith in the evening, on hope in the morning, and then on love throughout the day.
Faith in the evening - Another word for "faith" is "rest." As you rest your body after a day's work, learn to rest your soul and mind in God especially in the evening. Enjoy a time of devotion and prayer, quiet and peace. Remember the Cross especially in the evening. Turn all matters over to God. Luther had the habit of going to the window in the evening and asking God, "Is it my world or Yours? Is it my church or Yours? If they are Yours, please take care of them. I'm tired and going to bed. Good night, my God."
Hope in the morning - At the rising of the sun remember the rising of the Son. "Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead" (2 Tim. 2:8) - especially in the morning. Remember your Baptism. Sing in your heart Psalm 118:24: "This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it!" You may have a lot to do. You may have a test at school. You may be undergoing surgery. But the risen Lord will help you. He will use you. For His blessing is both upon the day and upon you!
Love throughout the day - You are rested. You are hopeful. You are ready to love, serve, and encourage others throughout the day. It could be your spouse, children, friend, client, stranger, etc. Strive not to be recognized but to recognize the needs of others. Work your way through the day in love with help from above, knowing that the evening will bring you rest.
Amen.
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