2 Timothy 4:6–8, 16–18—The reading from St. Paul’s second letter to Timothy fits in well with the other readings. Paul confidently asserts that he will receive the crown of righteousness on the Day of Judgement. Why? Because of his great works in laboring for the cause of the Gospel? By no means! Paul asserts, I have kept the faith. But even this is not of his own doing, for he goes on to say, the Lord stood by me and strengthened me.
We who have faith in the Lord’s promises can also say,
with Paul, the Lord will rescue me from every evil deed and bring me safely
into his heavenly kingdom. To him be the glory forever and ever.
These words are read during a funeral service for good
reason. Our sufficiency is in Christ. We love stories of the self-made person
who pulled himself up by his boot straps to conquer the world and win all. Not
so when it comes to redemption. Man is not sufficient of himself. Man of
himself does not have the adequate resources for anything of eternal value. Of
his own means he cannot live. Your sufficiency is of Christ.
Almighty God, thou who are the Protector of all who
hope in Thee, without Whose grace no one is able to accomplish anything, nor is
anything worthy in Thy sight. We who have faith in the Lord’s promises can also
say, with Paul, the Lord will rescue me from every evil deed and bring me
safely into his heavenly kingdom. To him be the glory forever and ever. Let us
richly experience Thy mercy so that through Thy holy inspiration we may think
what is right and through the direction and action also accomplish the same;
for Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our LORD’s sake. Amen[1] -20 October 2022
[1]
Collect for Thursday of the week of Pentecost 20, For All the Saints, A Prayer
Book for and By the Church, Vol. II © 1995 The American Lutheran Publicity
Bureau, Delhi, NY
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