I’ve been on the ride of my life
lately speaking to different groups about what it means to be a Lutheran. It’s
been a little different every time I’ve stood before a group talking about Law
and Gospel, being sinners and saints, good theology, bad theology, and the
liberation of the cross.
The fact is, I talk a lot! This
trait comes in handy when you’re going to give hour long talks on anything.
But, there are a lot of things I’d never talk about like I discuss being a
Lutheran Christian in the 21st Century. I’ve got passion, hope, and
excitement; which counteracts my infamous cynicism and raw and gritty
expectations.
No one has to convince me to tell
people God’s grace is sufficient; you’d actually be hard pressed to stop me. It’s
not because I’m a good person because I’ll never be that apart from the grace
of God. I talk about this like I just went to Wrestlemania for the first time
(April 7th here I come!) because the grace of God has drawn me to
the cross through broad experience of all kinds. I talk about grace, and Jesus,
and the cross, not because it makes me a better person, not because I think
other people will suddenly become saints, but because it is liberation.
There isn’t a human being on this
earth that lacks the need for liberation or the desire for something real. I’m
a Lutheran, this is me – whether at the bar or the altar – my life has been
changed in such a way by the grace of God that I can’t get any more real than
second chances that go beyond second chances. This is why I do what I do, this
is why I love what I do, and this is why I will never stop proclaiming the
grace and forgiveness of Jesus Christ. Jesus died for YOU, no matter who you
are, no matter whether you care, whether you want it or you don’t, it’s been
done.
I’m telling you as a friend or a
stranger, your sins are forgiven on account of the cross of Jesus Christ. Go in
peace and serve the Lord.
No comments:
Post a Comment