Evangelical Lutheran Diocese of North America

Festival of St. Nicholas, Bishop and Confessor

Posted on December 6, 2021 by Pastor Dulas under Devotions
Leave a comment
Scripture: Romans 2:1-16 (NKJV)
 
2:1 Therefore you are inexcusable, O man, whoever you are who judge, for in whatever you judge another you condemn yourself; for you who judge practice the same things. 2 But we know that the judgment of God is according to truth against those who practice such things. 3 And do you think this, O man, you who judge those practicing such things, and doing the same, that you will escape the judgment of God? 4 Or do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance? 5 But in accordance with your hardness and your impenitent heart you are treasuring up for yourself wrath in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God, 6 who “will render to each one according to his deeds”: 7 eternal life to those who by patient continuance in doing good seek for glory, honor, and immortality; 8 but to those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness—indignation and wrath, 9 tribulation and anguish, on every soul of man who does evil, of the Jew first and also of the Greek; 10 but glory, honor, and peace to everyone who works what is good, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. 11 For there is no partiality with God.
 
12 For as many as have sinned without law will also perish without law, and as many as have sinned in the law will be judged by the law 13 (for not the hearers of the law are just in the sight of God, but the doers of the law will be justified; 14 for when Gentiles, who do not have the law, by nature do the things in the law, these, although not having the law, are a law to themselves, 15 who show the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and between themselves their thoughts accusing or else excusing them) 16 in the day when God will judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ, according to my gospel.
 
Devotion
 
There is certainly judgment enough to go around. It is so tempting to look at this sin-sick world, cluck our tongues, and feel comfortable with our own righteousness. But here St. Paul, through the Holy Spirit, reminds us that we, too, all practiced the sins that we judge. Of course we do not excuse such sins by recognizing that we once practiced them. Ignorance of the Law is not an excuse for not following it! But even ignorance is not much of an excuse, for all people have a conscience, and they know there is right and wrong, even if they do not always listen to their consciences.
 
Rather, we still need to remind ourselves, and each other, that our only plea before God’s righteous judgment is the innocent, shed blood of the God-Man, Jesus Christ. He alone could pay the price of redemption that our rebellion demanded–and that cost was His life and death. But He rose again in glory to show his victory over death and the grave, and we look forward to His return! Through faith we strive to do better–not because we are striving to earn God’s favor, but in thanks to Him for His great mercy.
 
Prayer: Stir up our hearts, O Lord, to make ready the way of Thine only-begotten Son, so that by His coming we may be enabled to serve Thee with pure minds; through the same Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end. Amen.
 
Collect for the Festival of St. Nicholas, Bishop and Confessor: O Lord, hear our prayers to Thee on this day of St. Nicholas, Thy Confessor and Bishop, that as Thou didst lead him to render faithful service to Thee, Thou wouldst lead us to faithfully confess our hope in Thy salvation, through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, ever One God, world without end. Amen.
 
Collect for Advent: Stir up, we beseech Thee, Thy power, O Lord, and come, that by Thy protection we may be rescued from the threatening perils of our sins, and saved by Thy mighty deliverance; who livest and reignest with the Father and the Holy Ghost, ever, one God, world without end. Amen.
 
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Leave a Comment