Wednesday, November 1, 2023

Thursday prior to All Saints Observed

 

 

1 John 3:1–3—What an amazing thing it is to be able to pray the Lord’s Prayer, where we address the Holy and Almighty God as Our Father! This we can do because we are the children of God, as St John tells us in the Epistle reading for Sunday. See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! We are His children because, being baptized into Christ, we are Christ’s, and heirs with Him. By the redemption we have by the blood of Jesus, God has made us His children.

Despite all our iniquity, our selfishness and sinfulness, He has called us His own children through the waters of Baptism. The love God has lavished on us is unique because it is not what our corrupted sinful nature deserves; it is not what our thoughts, words and deeds have earned.

Believers are not just “named” children of God but are actually reborn as His children, are actually “fathered” by God. This is no metaphor, for a new being is created (2 Corinthians 5:17) God promises that he has made us His children. Despite the lies, deceptions and partial truths of the world, God has never lied to us, and He has never failed to do what He has promised. You can count on Him.[2]

Prayer for blessedness of heaven: Almighty, everlasting God, You gave Your only Son to be a High Priest of good things to come. Grant unto us, Your unworthy servants, to have our share in the company of the blessed for all eternity; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.[3]



[1] All Saints, copyright © Ed Riojas, Higher Things

[2] Lutheran Study Bible © 2009 Concordia Publishing House, St., Louis

[3] Lutheran Service Book © 2006 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis

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