Evangelical Lutheran Diocese of North America

Saturday after the Sixth Sunday after Trinity Sunday

Posted on July 30, 2022 by Pastor Dulas under Devotions
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Scripture: St. Mark 9:43-50 (NKJV)
 
9:43 “If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter into life maimed, rather than having two hands, to go to hell, into the fire that shall never be quenched—44 where
 
‘Their worm does not die and the fire is not quenched.’
 
45 “And if your foot causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life lame, rather than having two feet, to be cast into hell, into the fire that shall never be quenched—46 where
 
‘Their worm does not die and the fire is not quenched.’
 
47 “And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out. It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye, rather than having two eyes, to be cast into hell fire—48 where
 
‘Their worm does not die and the fire is not quenched.’
 
49 “For everyone will be seasoned with fire, and every sacrifice will be seasoned with salt. 50 Salt is good, but if the salt loses its flavor, how will you season it? Have salt in yourselves, and have peace with one another.”
 
Devotion
 
The Old Adam is persistent. In our Christian lives it can often feel like we take two steps forward and three steps back. The struggle between the new man in Christ and the Old Adam is a real one, which can take a heavy toll on our conscience.
 
Our Lord knows this and warns us that the fight to resist the temptation of the flesh is not easy. Therefore, our Lord uses shocking imagery in our reading today. He wants us to know how serious this fight is going to be! He wants us to be prepared for the battle that comes with rejecting sin; the process which comes about by the Holy Ghost in our sanctification. The Old Adam must daily, by contrition and repentance, drown in a baptismal flood so the new man in Christ would also daily arise.
 
Even more, we are not called to win this fight in our own strength. Since we are dead to sin and buried with Christ in baptism (Rom. 6:2-13), Christ brings the victory over sin and the Old Adam. Therefore, let us trust Him.
 
Prayer: Lord of All Power and Might, Who art the Author and Giver of all good things: Graft in our hearts the love of Thy Name, increase in us true religion, nourish us with all goodness, and of Thy great mercy keep us in the same; through Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee, 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.

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