Evangelical Lutheran Diocese of North America

Wednesday after Ad te levavi, The First Sunday in Advent

Posted on December 1, 2021 by Pastor Dulas under Devotions
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Scripture: Hebrews 10:19-25 (NKJV)
 
10:19 Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, 20 by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, through the veil, that is, His flesh, 21 and having a High Priest over the house of God, 22 let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. 23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, 25 not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.
 
Devotion
 
Believers in Jesus Christ have a boldness which comes from faith alone. All other religions teach a righteousness which is achieved by doing “righteous” works. Even though the sinful nature clings to all men, the Christian has confidence before God because he knows that his righteousness has been given to him. It is an external righteousness achieved by the righteous suffering and death of Jesus. In fact, being declared righteous by faith alone is the only way to be saved. It is “a new and living way which He [God] consecrated for us.”
 
Luther was right when He said that the unbeliever cannot come to Jesus by his own reason or strength. However, with the boldness and confidence that comes from faith, the believer can and does come to Him, for the Holy Spirit has called, gathered, and enlightened him with the whole Christian Church on earth. Therefore, St. Paul exhorts us in his letters to come to God and offer Him our heart, mouth, and hand. “Let us draw near with a true heart.” “Let us hold fast the confession” which comes from our lips. “And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works,” which are the works of our hands for the benefit of others—including church attendance. Without faith in Christ, all of this would be impossible; but with Christ we do seek to please Him.
 
Prayer: 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.

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