If you are interested in learning more about Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, click HERE.
To join go to Facebook Live or YouTube by clicking here.
To learn more about giving on line at Prince of Peace, click. here.
or Click on this QR Code
Saturday my Dad is coming for a visit and to celebrate my 45th birthday. All of us are excited and ready. Well, we still have a few days to prepare, but I think we’ll be ready. We always want to put a good foot forward for guests, but in truth Dad has lower standards. It’s not quite the same as when my Mom/Alicia’s mother-in-law visits. (She’ll visit with my Dad in December). With many things in life there is the gold standard we aspire to – but we often settle for less; maybe others are involved, maybe you just run out of time or energy, or perhaps it’s something else. It’s all part of living in a fallen sinful world as sinners ourselves. It’s a condition of the fall.
I share this with you because while preparing I saw a pin my friend gave me that says: Jesus is coming…..look busy.
We often approach God as a houseguest. Quick – pick up this mess – look busy, get your life in order – hoping things will be good enough. Or… people put off dealing with difficult Scriptural matters and behaviors until later in life thinking God and his coming are still a long way off. Neither of these are good or wise. Don’t forget that Jesus knows everything which means he sees us at our worst. The way that we wish no one would see us. He knows the things about us that we hope and pray no one ever finds out. It’s worse than a white glove test in a messy house because we make light of sin and over-estimate our ability to do better and fit it. As if we do such a thing or save ourselves. He knows our sinfulness and need for a savior.
Romans 5 says that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. The good news is that our Lord knows the worst about us and died for us to save us anyway. There is nothing to hide, nothing to be afraid of. He knows it all. We don’t know when he’s coming back, but we don’t have to be afraid or pretend to be good or busy. We don’t have to worry that he will actually see us as we are.
This frees us to live and enjoy life. We can call sin for what it is, and confess all of it without fear, without hiding or making light of it because it’s been paid for in full. That freedom on account of Christ is wonderful! Let us entertain guests with joy in the gospel and the forgiveness of sins.
In our Christian freedom let us share this good news with everyone so that when Jesus comes back, no one is caught unaware or unprepared, so that more people come to saving faith and Christ as Lord.
As we can clean house for our mother-in-law‘s and all the other important guests, let us also keep our spiritual house in order as we joyfully await our Lord’s return. He has cleansed us in baptism, he puts his name on us and gives us his spirit. There’s nothing to fear.
Lord’s blessings on your week.
