“But thanks be to God, that you who were once slaves of sin have become obedient from the heart to the standard of teaching to which you were committed.” (Romans 6:17)
“The standard of the teaching to which you were committed”—or, to put it a little differently, the Church has its own life to live, a life that does not come from the world but from God, and you were publicly committed to that life at Holy Baptism.
An early collection of Christian teaching called the Didache put it simply: “There are two ways: one of life and one of death, and great is the difference of the two ways.” What has light to do with the night? What has life to do with death?
Many philosophies and religions want to say that we “need” the bad to appreciate the good, or we “need” the night along with the light, but our Lord is the risen One, and He speaks differently. He calls you to unending light, and that life begins now by faith in Him and a life committed to His way of mercy for the sinner, faithfulness to the family, love for the enemy, and steady prayer to the Father.
LET US PRAY: O Lord, teach me to know Your Way as the true and only way, and not to be distracted by the calls and accusations of this world. By Your Holy Spirit, make me faithful, Your own lamb, wholly committed to Your standard of teaching and following You to where true joys are found; for You live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen
Pastor Steven K. Gjerde
