Romans
10:8b–13—We confess in the
meaning to the Third Article of the Creed, ‘I
believe that I cannot, by my own reason or strength, believe in Jesus Christ my
Lord or come to Him. But the Holy Ghost has called me by the Gospel,
enlightened me with His gifts, sanctified and kept me in the true faith…’
When we make confession of our faith, whether it be a simple Jesus is Lord or a
fuller confession, such as one of the Creeds, or even one of
our Lutheran Confessions, we are simply saying back to God what He has first
said to us.
Paul has just drawn a comparison between salvation and
obeying the Commandments to their very letter and salvation by believing in
Christ. Then he goes on to say, in this portion of his letter that we hear, that
Christ is near, here, and we need only confess His Lordship to be saved – a Lordship
that is universal, embracing all people who have faith in him.
“The name of the
Lord,” in Romans 10:13 is more than a combination of letters that spell the
name of Jesus. It is more than a label by which we address Him. The “name” of the Lord is His whole being,
His nature. It is He Himself (I am that I
am). It is everything He has done
for us (Thou shalt call his name Jesus’
for he shall save his people from their sins.”) To “call” upon His name, therefore, means to call on HIM, to want Him,
yearn for Him, trust Him, love Him – and all that He has done for us.
Prayer in times of temptation: Almighty and everlasting God, through Your Son You
have promised us forgiveness of sins and everlasting life. Govern our hearts by
Your Holy Spirit that in our daily need, and especially in all time of
temptation, we may seek Your help and, by a true and lively faith in Your Word,
obtain all that You have promised; through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord.
Amen [2].-03 March, 2022
[1] The Temptation of Jesus copyright © Google Images
[2] A Prayer in times of Temptation, Lutheran Service Book © 2006 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis
No comments:
Post a Comment