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.[1]
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.[2]
[1] Lutheran Study Bible © 2009 Concordia Publishing House, St., Louis
[2] Lutheran Service Book © 2006 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis
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