Tuesday, March 21, 2023

Wednesday prior to Lent 5

 

Romans 8:1-11 –Life out of Death – The Spirit makes us children of God. The Spirit raises us from the death of the flesh to life as sons of God. Spiritual death.

In our Epistle lesson, the Spirit raises us from death of the flesh to life as sons of God – Spiritual death. The Spirit makes us children of God. We can have both death and life in us. Though dead, we can live, and though living we can be dead. There is one type of life – existence, the physical, natural, earthly life. It is the life of the flesh lived in faith. This life is a product of the Spirit received at Baptism. Through Baptism, a person is born again in the Spirit, adopted as a child of god, and now lives in the Spirit of righteousness. The new person knows he is related to God, because the Spirit witnesses to our spirits that we are God’s offspring.

We have both death and resurrection in us. Though dead, we can life and though living we can be dead. There is one type of life- existence; the physical, natural, earthly life. It is the life of the flesh, which results in sin and death.

There is possibly another life; one with God lived in faith. This life is a product of here Spirit received at Baptism. Through Baptism, a person is born again in the Spirit; adopted as a child of God and now lives in the Spirit of righteousness. The new person knows he is related to God because the Spirit witnesses to our spirit that we are now God’s offspring.

Pau describes the fulfillment of certain expectations with four terms; revelation, resurrection, adoption and glorification. The Greek word he uses for these expectations literally means to watch with one’s head stretched out, to keep an eager lookout.

Collect for Wednesday of the week of Lent 4:  Lord, you reward virtue and forgive the repentant sinner. Grant us for forgiveness as we come before you confessing our guilt. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.[2] 22 March 2023


[1] The Crucifixion, Schnorr von Carolsfeld woodcuts © WELS Permission to use these copyrighted items is limited to personal and congregational use

[2] Collect for Wednesday of the week of Lent  4, For All the Saints, A Prayer Book For and By the Church, Vol. III © 1995 The American Lutheran Publicity Bureau, Delhi, NY


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