David Bahn – Reflections

Today’s readings: Philemon 1, Psalm 32

Philemon 1:3-7

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

⁴ I thank my God always when I remember you in my prayers, ⁵ because I hear of your love and of the faith that you have toward the Lord Jesus and for all the saints, ⁶ and I pray that the sharing of your faith may become effective for the full knowledge of every good thing that is in us for the sake of Christ. ⁷ For I have derived much joy and comfort from your love, my brother, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you.

How would you like to receive a letter that begins like this one to Philemon? You might be inclined to wonder, What’s he want? You might dismiss it as overly effusive praise that has no true connection to reality. Or you could read it and say, It’s about time I was recognized for the great person of faith that I truly am.

I suppose there is a better way. What if you read this as sincere and heartfelt? What if you recognize that Paul, who identifies himself in the opening words of the letter—the common convention of the time—was a man of God whom you respect and admire? What if you really do owe him your life and eternal gratitude for bringing Christ to you and you to Christ? This, I believe, is how it should be read.

Only, there is a fly in the ointment. It seems there are very few people who deserve to be identified in the way Paul speaks of Philemon. That is, unless we are like the sheep of Matthew 25 who ask, in effect, When did we see you hungry, naked, or in prison and come to your aid? Might it be that our love for the Lord and our faith in him bring joy and comfort to our pastors, church leaders, and other servants of the Gospel in ways we don’t even realize?

Think about that for a moment. Your willingness to serve others, your love for Jesus, your faithfulness in hearing his Word and receiving his Sacrament encourage those who serve you for the sake of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. In fact, I want my readers to know that this is true of you. While I write this blog for my own sake—to keep myself personally engaged in the Word and faithful in my devotions—I appreciate the likes, comments, and mentions that make their way to me.

You should know that your pastor and other Gospel servants (church staff, Sunday school teachers, church leaders, and Bible class leaders) love to know that their efforts are not in vain. Your kind words of encouragement bless them.

So I’m asking today that, if you are blessed by these people, let them know. And please…I’m not fishing for compliments here! I’m asking that you express your appreciation to them and let them know that their work with you has made a difference. Why not text someone about that right now?

Notice, too, how Paul encourages Philemon in his faith. He prays that Philemon’s “partnership in the faith will become increasingly fruitful as [he recognizes] all the good things we share in Christ.”

It seems likely to me that Paul is connecting all this with his hope that Philemon will receive Onesimus, his runaway slave, back not merely as a slave but as a brother in Christ—and perhaps even allow him to return to serve Paul in his mission work.

And perhaps that’s where the real beauty of this letter comes into focus. Paul isn’t simply complimenting Philemon for being a good Christian. He’s reminding him of the faith and love that are already evident in his life, and then asking him to put that faith and love into practice in a particularly difficult situation.

That’s what faith in Jesus does. It takes shape in the way we receive and treat others. It may encourage a pastor, strengthen a fellow believer, or change the way we regard someone who has wronged us.

And sometimes we may not even realize the good that God is working through us.

Paul saw God’s grace at work in Philemon. And now he was asking Philemon to extend that same grace to Onesimus. What a beautiful thing when the grace we have received in Jesus overflows into the lives of others—sometimes in ways we don’t even recognize.

Follow the Word is a daily Bible reading and devotional ministry of St. John Lutheran Church, Cypress, Texas.

Today’s readings: Colossians 3-4, Psalm 133

Colossians 3:12-17; 4:5

Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, ¹³ bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. ¹⁴ And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. ¹⁵ And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. ¹⁶ Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. ¹⁷ And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

^4:5 Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. ⁶ Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.

After such a rousing expression of praise and beautifully clear teaching about who Jesus is, Paul turns our attention toward how we are to live as his followers. In other words, Jesus isn’t just some idol, some mega-celebrity, or an incredibly wealthy and wise person. He is God in the flesh. And faith in him carries some significant implications.

I’m reminded of the prophets of the Old Testament. Isaiah confronted people who honored God with their worship but neglected justice and the needs of the oppressed (Isaiah 1:11–17). Amos spoke against solemn assemblies and songs of praise offered by people who failed to practice justice and righteousness (Amos 5:21–24). And Micah reminded God’s people that what the Lord requires is to do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with their God (Micah 6:6–8).

Their message was clear: What we confess about God must be reflected in how we live toward others.

Christology is a vitally important theological foundation. If Jesus isn’t God in the flesh, we have no reason to worship him or place our eternal hope in him. If he isn’t the One who died and rose again, he has accomplished nothing toward reconciliation between us and God.

But if he is all that Paul has said he is, that truth reaches far beyond dusty theological concepts into the very way we live.

We Christians – followers of Christ, bearing his name – are called to reflect his character and nature. So Paul lays out some of those characteristics for the Colossians and for us. We are to put on compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other.

And why? Because this is how Christ has treated us. As Paul says, “As the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive” (Colossians 3:13).

When Christ’s Word dwells richly in us, it shapes our thoughts, words, and actions. We are led to do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. And as Paul reminds us a little later, we are to conduct ourselves wisely toward outsiders, speaking with grace so that we know how to answer each person.

We want to live in such a manner that those outside the faith will be willing to listen when we speak. We want to share God’s truth with kindness and gentleness, boldness and courage.

Sadly, we will fail at this. We all do. That’s what makes the grace, love, and forgiveness of Christ so precious. And the forgiveness we receive from him enables us to forgive one another when we are let down or wronged.

And perhaps that’s what I find so remarkable about all this. Jesus knows us. He knows how easily our patience runs out, how quickly kindness can give way to irritation, and how difficult it can be to forgive someone who has hurt us. Yet he doesn’t turn away from us. He forgives us and continues to call us his own.

So when Paul tells us to put on compassion, kindness, humility, patience, and love, he’s not handing us a checklist by which we can prove ourselves worthy of Jesus. He’s reminding us what life looks like when we belong to him.

Paul calls us “God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved.” That’s where it starts. Before we ever manage to show compassion or patience or kindness to someone else, that’s how God already sees us in Christ.

And perhaps remembering that will help us treat one another with kindness and grace – and give those who do not yet know Jesus a reason to listen when we speak of him.

Follow the Word is a daily Bible reading and devotional ministry of St. John Lutheran Church, Cypress, Texas.

Today’s readings: Colossians 3-4, Psalm 133

Colossians 3:12-17; 4:5

Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, ¹³ bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. ¹⁴ And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. ¹⁵ And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. ¹⁶ Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. ¹⁷ And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

^4:5 Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. ⁶ Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.

After such a rousing expression of praise and beautifully clear teaching about who Jesus is, Paul turns our attention toward how we are to live as his followers. In other words, Jesus isn’t just some idol, some mega-celebrity, or an incredibly wealthy and wise person. He is God in the flesh. And faith in him carries some significant implications.

I’m reminded of the prophets of the Old Testament. Isaiah confronted people who honored God with their worship but neglected justice and the needs of the oppressed (Isaiah 1:11–17). Amos spoke against solemn assemblies and songs of praise offered by people who failed to practice justice and righteousness (Amos 5:21–24). And Micah reminded God’s people that what the Lord requires is to do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with their God (Micah 6:6–8).

Their message was clear: What we confess about God must be reflected in how we live toward others.

Christology is a vitally important theological foundation. If Jesus isn’t God in the flesh, we have no reason to worship him or place our eternal hope in him. If he isn’t the One who died and rose again, he has accomplished nothing toward reconciliation between us and God.

But if he is all that Paul has said he is, that truth reaches far beyond dusty theological concepts into the very way we live.

We Christians – followers of Christ, bearing his name – are called to reflect his character and nature. So Paul lays out some of those characteristics for the Colossians and for us. We are to put on compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other.

And why? Because this is how Christ has treated us. As Paul says, “As the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive” (Colossians 3:13).

When Christ’s Word dwells richly in us, it shapes our thoughts, words, and actions. We are led to do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. And as Paul reminds us a little later, we are to conduct ourselves wisely toward outsiders, speaking with grace so that we know how to answer each person.

We want to live in such a manner that those outside the faith will be willing to listen when we speak. We want to share God’s truth with kindness and gentleness, boldness and courage.

Sadly, we will fail at this. We all do. That’s what makes the grace, love, and forgiveness of Christ so precious. And the forgiveness we receive from him enables us to forgive one another when we are let down or wronged.

And perhaps that’s what I find so remarkable about all this. Jesus knows us. He knows how easily our patience runs out, how quickly kindness can give way to irritation, and how difficult it can be to forgive someone who has hurt us. Yet he doesn’t turn away from us. He forgives us and continues to call us his own.

So when Paul tells us to put on compassion, kindness, humility, patience, and love, he’s not handing us a checklist by which we can prove ourselves worthy of Jesus. He’s reminding us what life looks like when we belong to him.

Paul calls us “God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved.” That’s where it starts. Before we ever manage to show compassion or patience or kindness to someone else, that’s how God already sees us in Christ.

And perhaps remembering that will help us treat one another with kindness and grace – and give those who do not yet know Jesus a reason to listen when we speak of him.

Follow the Word is a daily Bible reading and devotional ministry of St. John Lutheran Church, Cypress, Texas.

Today’s readings: Acts 28, Colossians 1-2, Psalm 145

Colossians 1:15-19

He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. ¹⁶ For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. ¹⁷ And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. ¹⁸ And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. ¹⁹ For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, ²⁰ and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.

Years ago, I attended a very insightful leadership workshop led by Lyle Schaller. He observed that there are First Person churches—those that emphasize God as Father. There are Second Person churches—those that focus on Jesus. And there are Third Person churches—those that emphasize the Holy Spirit and his gifts.

I found that an interesting observation, especially since I am part of a decidedly Second Person church. It’s one of the great Reformation solas, after all: Christ Alone!

Of course, these are broad generalizations. We confess one God in three persons—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. We dare not diminish any person of the Trinity. Yet it is worth asking where we place our emphasis and whom we hold before the eyes of faith.

Paul leaves little doubt about the central place of Jesus Christ. In Colossians 1, he describes Jesus in magnificent terms. Listen to these attributes of Christ:

• The image of the invisible God
• The firstborn of all creation
• The One who is before all things – including every throne, dominion, ruler, and authority
• The One through whom and for whom all things were created – that in itself is stunningly remarkable!
• The One in whom all things hold together
• The head of the body, the Church
• The firstborn from the dead
• The One in whom the fullness of God was pleased to dwell – Jesus is God incarnate!

So that in everything he might be preeminent.

Think about that. Everything was created through him and for him. Everything holds together in him. And he is the One who reconciles all things to himself through the blood of his cross.

Our hymns are predominantly about Jesus. Our worship centers in Christ. Our Scripture readings continually bring us to Christ. Remember how that happens even as we read some of the more difficult passages of the Old Testament? Jesus himself said that the Scriptures testify about him.

We recently returned from a wonderful trip to Italy. We saw incredible sights and enjoyed unforgettable experiences. Many of those were in beautiful cathedrals and churches. Mosaics, statuary, frescoes, altars, and even some of the floors expressed an honor to God through their remarkable artistry.

One thing, however, did not sit particularly well with us. Mary was so prominently displayed that in some places she seemed to receive even greater honor than Jesus. She was depicted as the Queen of Heaven, surrounded by extraordinary beauty and splendor.

There is a term that even we Lutherans ascribe to Mary. It isn’t the doctrine of her immaculate conception – that she was preserved from original sin from the beginning of her life. Nor do we consider her a co-redemptrix alongside Christ. But we do confess that she is Theotokos, God-bearer. Mother of God.

That is an extraordinary honor! But Mary’s greatness is not independent of Jesus. Her honor comes from the fact that God chose her to bear the Savior of the world. She herself rejoiced in God her Savior. And Jesus must always be preeminent.

I have to say that there may have been churches in Italy without a statue, fresco, or mosaic of Mary. But I don’t recall seeing one without some representation of Christ. Often he was on the cross. Sometimes he was depicted as the risen and reigning Lord. Sometimes he was shown as the infant in Mary’s arms.

For that I am thankful.

But most of all, I am thankful for Jesus himself. The One through whom all things were created is the One who shed his blood on the cross to reconcile us to God. The One who holds all things together is the One who holds us in his grace. And the firstborn from the dead is the One who has opened the way to eternal life.

Without him, we have no lasting hope. But because of him, we have forgiveness, peace with God, and the promise of life everlasting.

That in everything he might be preeminent.

Follow the Word is a daily Bible reading and devotional ministry of St. John Lutheran Church, Cypress, Texas.

Today’s readings: Acts 28, Colossians 1-2, Psalm 145

Colossians 1:15-19

He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. ¹⁶ For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. ¹⁷ And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. ¹⁸ And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. ¹⁹ For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, ²⁰ and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.

Lyle Schaller led a very insightful leadership training workshop for pastors years ago and commented, “There are First Person churches – churches that emphasize God as Father. There are Second Person churches – churches that focus on Jesus. And there are Third Person churches – those who emphasize the Holy Spirit and the charismatic gifts. I found that to be an interesting observation, especially since I am part of a decidedly Second Person church. It’s one of Martin Luther’s Solas after all. “Christ Alone!”

I’m sure it is too broad of a generalization to say that in the early days of the United States, much church talk focused on God as Father – manifest destiny and all. I believe Deists might be more comfortable with speaking of our Heavenly Father than of Christ or the Holy Spirit. And during the 1970s and 1980’s there was the charismatic movement that gained a lot of notoriety with emphasis on speaking in tongues, miracles, words of knowledge and such.

I would call those distractions for Paul speaks of Jesus as preeminent – the most important of all. Listen to these attributes of Christ:

• The image of the invisible God
• The firstborn of all creation
• The One who is before all things – every power, dominion, rulers or authorities
• All things were created through him and for him – that in itself is stunningly remarkable!
• All things hold together in him
• The head of the body, the church
• The firstborn from the dead

So that in everything he might be preeminent.

Our hymns are predominantly about Jesus. Our worship centers in Christ. Our readings always get us to Christ – remember how that happened even as we read some of the more difficult passages of the Old Testament?

We recently returned from a trip to Italy. It was a wonderful experience – with incredible sights and experiences. Many of those were in beautiful cathedrals and churches. Mosaics, statuary, frescos, altars, and even some of the floors expressed an honor to God by virtue of their artisanship.

One thing, however, did not sit well with us. Mary was so predominantly displayed, and that sometimes even more honored than Jesus in the depiction. She is shown as the Queen of Heaven.

There is a term that even we Lutherans ascribe to Mary. It’s not her supposed immaculate conception (she supposedly being sinless from birth). Nor is she seen as the co-redemptrix, along with Christ. But we do say she is theotokos, God-bearer. Mother of God. Mary’s honor is not her own. It is that God chose her to bear the Savior of the world. And he is ever to be preeminent.

I have to say that there may have been churches in Italy without a statue, fresco, or mosaic of Mary. But, thankfully, there was never one without a representation of Christ. Whether on the cross (a crucifix) or reigning high above with the Father and the Holy Spirit. For that I am thankful. For without him we are eternally without hope, and our faith is but a vapor.

Follow the Word is a daily Bible reading and devotional ministry of St. John Lutheran Church, Cypress, Texas.

Today’s readings: Romans 13-15, Psalm 148

Romans 13:1-7

Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. ² Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. ³ For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval, ⁴ for he is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God’s wrath on the wrongdoer. ⁵ Therefore one must be in subjection, not only to avoid God’s wrath but also for the sake of conscience. ⁶ For because of this you also pay taxes, for the authorities are ministers of God, attending to this very thing. ⁷ Pay to all what is owed to them: taxes to whom taxes are owed, revenue to whom revenue is owed, respect to whom respect is owed, honor to whom honor is owed.

The day after Jimmy Carter was elected president of the United States, I had an interesting encounter with a seminary classmate. He was an older student with a young daughter. He told me, “My daughter asked me this morning, ‘What are we gonna do, Daddy, now that that bad Jimmy Carter was elected president?’ I told her, ‘It’s Mr. President now. He is our president.’”

His daughter had obviously picked up his political leanings against Jimmy Carter. But that was a teaching moment that illustrates so well the opening verses of Romans 13. We are commanded to be subject to the governing authorities. Who knew this passage would be so appropriate in the wake of the “Blue Tsunami” election here in the United States!

I very seldom speak publicly about politics, whether on social media or even within my own family. I realize we may hold different political perspectives, and that some of those convictions are deeply held. But there is a higher authority to whom we all answer. We may not always keep that at the top of our priority list, but it belongs there: We are under the authority of our Lord and Redeemer Jesus Christ. Our allegiance to him is more important than our party affiliation or candidate of choice.

These verses seem especially appropriate because I suspect many who read this are distressed about the recent election results. And I know that most who read this already understand where their ultimate allegiance belongs. But it’s still a good reminder.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, I was reminded by a neighbor of an important truth. I had shared my distress over the situation we were facing, and he simply said, “But we know who’s on the throne.”

That may be a good reminder for us today—no matter how we feel about the recent election results.

And here’s perhaps an even better word for us, also from today’s readings:

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.” — Romans 15:13

Our hope is in Jesus. He remains on the throne of grace, the very throne from which he pours out his mercy and love. That’s true no matter who is in office. And it’s true no matter what tomorrow brings.

That’s more than a reassuring thought. The One who reigns is the One who gave himself for us on the cross, rose victorious from the grave, and promises never to leave or forsake us. His reign is not merely one of power, but of grace and mercy. And his promises are not subject to election results.

Follow the Word is a daily Bible reading and devotional ministry of St. John Lutheran Church, Cypress, Texas.

Today’s readings: Romans 10-12, Psalm 147

Romans 10:14-17

How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? ¹⁵ And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!” ¹⁶ But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed what he has heard from us?” ¹⁷ So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.

“God doesn’t hang speakers from the clouds to communicate with us.”

That was part of a lesson on the Bible and faith in a study I led years ago. And it’s a good reminder. Our faith is engendered by means. It doesn’t just happen. God speaks to us through his Word. And in our case, that Word comes to us through the Scriptures—the written Word of God recorded in the Old and New Testaments.

A few weeks ago, I had a conversation with a leader of a church where I was helping guide their ministry. He was struggling with the concept of the inerrancy of Scripture. He claimed that the Bible is full of errors or contradictions. And try as I might, I could not help him see past what he believed were irreconcilable differences in the accounts of Judas’ death. Did he hang himself, or did he fall headlong…?

I find such conversations frustrating because the purpose of Scripture is too easily set aside in favor of arguing over such issues. (By the way, I don’t believe there is a contradiction in this case, but I couldn’t help the man see that.)

I’m comfortable with the word inerrant, but I actually favor another word: infallible. Scripture will not fail in what God intends it to accomplish. It faithfully conveys God’s truth and points us to the salvation he has provided in Jesus Christ.

And that’s the real point of infallibility: truth. Jesus prayed to his Father in John 17, “Sanctify them in the truth. Your word is truth.” He claimed, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life.” He is the One full of grace and truth. And Jesus is the Word made flesh.

Scripture points us to Jesus. That is its central purpose. That is its beauty. That is its glory. And while words like inspired, inerrant, and infallible appropriately describe the Bible, a focus on defending those words can cause us to lose sight of why God has given us his Word in the first place.

That’s the point Paul makes here.

“Faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.”

I don’t believe in trying to deconstruct the Bible into this man’s ideas or that person’s opinions or interpretations. Nor do I want to become so caught up in arguments about what Scripture is that I neglect what it says. I believe in declaring with great confidence what God says in his Word and how that Word points us to Jesus. For in Jesus we find the truth that saves us.

That’s what Scripture does, and that’s why we’re Following the Word so intentionally this year at St. John. We want to hear God’s Word, receive his promises, and grow in the faith that clings to Jesus—the faith through which God saves, guides, enlightens, gives hope, confronts, challenges, comforts, and sustains us.

God doesn’t need speakers hanging from the clouds. He has given us his Word. Through that Word, he speaks to us of Jesus, creates faith in our hearts, and sustains us in his promises.

And one day, the One we have heard about, trusted, and followed by faith will stand before us. Faith will give way to sight.

And what a glorious sight that will be!

Until then, there is the matter of spreading this word of grace and truth that is Jesus. It’s part and parcel of Paul’s letter to the Romans and the definition of his life’s calling. Thankfully others have taken up that calling, for you and I who believe in Jesus owe a debt of thanks to those who have brought that word to us. Perhaps we will find an opportunity to share that word with someone else in our days on earth. Then may they hear the word and be brought to faith in Jesus.

Follow the Word is a daily Bible reading and devotional ministry of St. John Lutheran Church, Cypress, Texas.

Today’s readings: Romans 7-9, Psalm 146

Romans 7:14-25

For we know that the law is spiritual, but I am of the flesh, sold under sin. ¹⁵ For I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate. ¹⁶ Now if I do what I do not want, I agree with the law, that it is good. ¹⁷ So now it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me. ¹⁸ For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out. ¹⁹ For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing. ²⁰ Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me.

²¹ So I find it to be a law that when I want to do right, evil lies close at hand. ²² For I delight in the law of God, in my inner being, ²³ but I see in my members another law waging war against the law of my mind and making me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members. ²⁴ Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? ²⁵ Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself serve the law of God with my mind, but with my flesh I serve the law of sin.

Romans 7 is a challenging chapter—especially the first part. Paul explains how God’s law works, how it is good, and yet how sin uses that very law to stir up evil impulses and actions within us. The logic is difficult for me to follow because he is so careful to tie together the thoughts of Romans 6, including the beautiful truth that we are no longer under the law, with the confession he will make later in this chapter.

And that’s where we can all gain a foothold of understanding.

Paul confesses that, in spite of himself, he cannot keep from sinning. He wants to do good things but ends up not doing them. (Think good intentions never acted upon, or promises not kept.) He doesn’t want to do evil things but ends up doing them. (Think giving in to temptation or failing to restrain sinful impulses.)

Most of us can identify with those realities. We face temptation and cave in. We intend to keep a promise but let it go. The gossip is too juicy not to share, and we sully someone’s reputation, speaking poorly of her rather than putting the best construction on her actions. The pain he has caused is too severe to ignore, so we sabotage his presentation or withhold vital information that would help him. We lose our temper in traffic, cut someone off, and maybe offer a few choice words we’d be embarrassed for our children—or grandchildren—to hear.

Or worse.

Why do we do this? Why do we give in to temptation? Why don’t we do the good we want to do?

Paul says it is sin dwelling within us that leads us to places we know we should not go. And if you haven’t given in to some of these more obvious outward manifestations of sin, remember Jesus’ words about adultery and murder. Sin isn’t merely a matter of outward actions. It reaches into the desires and intentions of our hearts.

Some think we are sinners because we sin. The truth is that we sin because we are sinners. And though we are also saints—not because of our goodness, but because we belong to Christ through faith—we will struggle with this reality until the day we are taken from this vale of tears into the glorious presence of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

So we join Paul in his cry: “Who will deliver me from this body of death?”

And in his answer: “Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!”

Our struggle with sin continues, but Jesus has won the victory for us, and one day he will come again. Come quickly, Lord Jesus!

Follow the Word is a daily Bible reading and devotional ministry of St. John Lutheran Church, Cypress, Texas.

Today’s readings: Romans 4-6, Psalm 145

Romans 5:18-6:4

Therefore, as one trespass led to condemnation for all men, so one act of righteousness leads to justification and life for all men. ¹⁹ For as by the one man’s disobedience the many were made sinners, so by the one man’s obedience the many will be made righteous. ²⁰ Now the law came in to increase the trespass, but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more, ²¹ so that, as sin reigned in death, grace also might reign through righteousness leading to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

6 What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? ² By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it? ³ Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? ⁴ We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.

The end of Romans 5 and the beginning of chapter 6 is one of my favorite passages in the Bible—if it’s safe to single out any one passage. It’s the same kind of favorite as the question in Acts 1:11. That’s a favorite and an easy question to answer. Look it up and see why I say that.

This passage is a favorite because there are two very significant truths that play off one another.

First of all, Paul says that where sin increases, grace increases all the more. I love to illustrate this by using my arms and hands to show an imaginary mountain of sin, then an even larger covering of grace. Then I make the mountain of sin bigger, and the covering of grace bigger still. Take it as far as you want, and there will always be more grace than sin.

This is remarkable in and of itself. God’s grace is inexhaustible. And that’s saying a lot. We cannot exhaust his mercy through our need for it, nor can we diminish its abundance by receiving it. Ephesians 2:7 speaks of “the immeasurable riches of his grace.” And Paul says here that grace always wins—even over sin.

But grace is not an end in itself—even though I believe it is the key to the meaning of the universe. That’s a phrase I like to use, pointing to Ephesians 1:6. And I believe it far better than I can explain it.

Even though grace is such a rich gift, and in the end our endless song will be in praise of God’s glorious grace, that grace also does something in the here and now.

Paul makes this clear when he asks the question: “Should we sin more so that grace may increase?”

His answer is an emphatic, “No! Never!”

But the reason isn’t that grace might run out. It is because God’s grace changes our lives.

By God’s grace we have a new heart, a new identity, a new hope, and a new way of seeing things. That’s the here and now of God’s grace. God’s grace is at the center of all that is truly good in our lives. From it flow goodness, beauty, kindness, and love.

But there’s something even more profound here. Paul reminds us that we have been baptized into Christ’s death and raised with him to walk in newness of life. Jesus has not only forgiven our sins. He has claimed us as his own and given us a whole new life.

To sin more will never prove God’s grace. That has already been demonstrated beyond measure when God sent his Son to redeem us. Jesus is the embodiment of grace and truth. He is the source of life.

Sin may build its mountains as high as it can. God’s grace will always be greater. And in Jesus Christ, that grace not only covers our sins. It raises us to new life.

Follow the Word is a daily Bible reading and devotional ministry of St. John Lutheran Church, Cypress, Texas.