Romans
12:9–21—St Paul has spent much of his
letter to the Romans showing how we are saved by grace alone through faith
alone. But faith always manifests itself in love, especially toward our
neighbor.
By His Cross
Jesus has redeemed the world, and in His Resurrection He has vindicated all who
trust in Him. Thus the Christian life is a discipleship of self-sacrificing
love. Since Christ Jesus has reconciled us to God, we “live peaceably with all” (Romans 12:18). By the certainty of His
Cross and Resurrection, we “rejoice in
hope,” and we are “patient in
tribulation” and “constant in prayer”
(Romans 12:12).
Luther,
commenting on this section of Scripture reminds us, “Faith is a living,
unshakeable confidence in God's grace. It is so certain, that someone would die
a thousand times for it. This kind of trust in and knowledge of God's grace
makes a person joyful, confident, and happy with regard to God and all
creatures.
This is what the
Holy Spirit does by faith. Through faith, a person will do good to everyone
without coercion, willingly and happily.
He will serve everyone; suffer everything for the love and praise of
God, who has shown him such grace.
It is as
impossible to separate works from faith as burning and shining from fire.
Therefore be on guard against your own false ideas and against the chatterers
who think they are clever enough to make judgments about faith and good works
but who are in reality the biggest fools. Ask God to work faith in you;
otherwise you will remain eternally without faith, no matter what you try to do
or fabricate.”[1]
[1] Luther's
Commentary on Romans 12
[2]
Lutheran Service Book © 2006 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis
3 Woodcut by Julius Schnoor von Carolsfeld,
The Crucifixion copyright © WELS
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