The Roman Church of Martin Luther’s day – and our own – teaches that men can make satisfaction for (make up for) sins by their actions and by obedience to certain church made rules and activities. This is not what God’s Word declares.
The Israelites broke God’s Law. God sent His Son – not to establish new rules to live by – but to save sinners from sin.
Christ has fulfilled God’s Law. We sinners are warned not to return to what can only condemn us.
Jesus set us free from sin and from death. We rely upon Him alone for Heaven.
Are we sometimes too quick to give up on things? Do we easily despair? We surely have examples in our Bible readings today that emphasize persistence.
Jacob was persistent in wrestling with God, seeking blessing from Him. We should be persistent in seeking blessing from God too.
The Apostle John urges us to be persist in praying to our Heavenly Father.
Even the Lord Jesus Himself calls upon us to be persistent in prayer. It’s rather plain that we should not be so quick to give up, but continue to ask our God, who can change things.
In about a month and a half (gasp) we will, as a nation, celebrate Thanksgiving Day. As Christians we don’t only give thanks to God one day a year, but every day. It is proper to give thanks to God…like Noah, after spending nearly a year on the ark. It is proper to give thanks for the power of God’s Word which enables us (through the Holy Spirit) to live for Him. It is proper to give thanks that God has cleansed us of sin…as he once cleansed a leper of his disease.
