1 March
Therefore Christ died for all, so that those who then live, should not live for themselves, but rather for Him Who died for them and rose again. 2 Corinthians 5:15.
This lovely, sweet sermon will not help you, were you to say: Christ died for sinners and rose again, therefore I hope [*] also for me. Yeah, right. But as you always want to continue to remain in your old skin and use this sermon only as a cover for your shameful greed, haughty pride, lust, it then stands written here: Just don’t take this consolation to mean you; for even though He did die for all and rose again, He still has not arisen for you, for you still have not by faith seized such a resurrection. You have seen the smoke, but have not felt the fire. You have heard the words, but from the same have not received any power.
*The word ‘hope’ in the above first sentence is what evidently moved Luther to write this one. So as we place our faith and trust in our crucified, risen Savior, may we by the power of the Holy Spirit live our lives for Him. He is our only hope for salvation – thank God.
In Christ,
Elmer H.
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