Our Faith is a Living and Active
Wednesday’s Verse:
From Colossians 3:17 ESV
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.
We often think of “spiritual” and “ordinary” lives as if they were different compartments in our Christian experience. But Saint Paul does not use the same language here. Instead, we live our daily lives as expressions of love in Christ by whatever we say or do. It’s true that Paul mentions our work and our household relationships specifically in other parts of this passage, but here he simply calls all our activity to the service of the Lord Jesus, whether the work is wordy or not, big or small.
We do not set aside the concerns of our daily lives as if they were not spiritual. Nor do we engage our daily work and obligations only with worldly care. In Christ, we live our lives as living sacrifices. We speak, work, teach, cook, clean, wipe noses, comfort a neighbor, raise children, and wash laundry in the name of the Lord Jesus and as a living, daily expression of our thanks to God the Father for His grace given to us in our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Luther calls faith a “living, busy, active, mighty thing, and one that can never be idle. It will be busy about somebody. It must work in love and bring forth fruits of itself” (Romans 6:13–18). In the name of the Lord Jesus we humbly serve others. Even our ordinary words and deeds done in faith are holy when offered in His name. As Luther also says, “Faith is a living, dynamic, active power that brings forth fruits and cannot remain idle.”
Prayers
A Prayer for Today:
Lord Jesus, bless my words and my deeds this day, that in all I do I may honor Your name. Keep my heart thankful, and let my life be a witness of Your love and grace. Amen.
Apostles’ Creed:
I believe in God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth.
And in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried. He descended into hell. The third day He rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty. From thence He will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Christian Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
The Lord’s Prayer:
Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name, Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven; give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever. Amen.
Luther’s Morning Prayer:
I thank You, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, Your dear Son, that You have kept me this night from all harm and danger; and I pray that You would keep me this day also from sin and every evil, that all my doings and life may please You. For into Your hands, I commend myself, my body and soul, and all things. Let Your holy angel be with me, that the evil foe may have no power over me. Amen.
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