Grace in Action
Thursday’s Verse:
From John 3:16 ESV
(Jesus said) “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.”
John 3:16 is the core of the Gospel message, and of what Lutherans believe. It tells us in a few words what God’s love has done for us. It is personal. It is sacrificial. It is active. God did not wait for us to come to Him. Instead, He loved us and sent His Son to come down to us. The eternal Son of God emptied Himself, took on human flesh, and came into our broken, fallen, sinful world. He did this because God’s love could not stand apart from us. He saw our need, our separation, our helplessness, and He did something about it.
In Lutheran theology, we say that salvation is God’s work. We have not earned it. We could not make our way there on our own. Jesus coming down to us is the proof of this. He did not send us a messenger or a set of rules to follow. He became one of us, lived among us, suffered for us, and died for us. In His life, death, and resurrection, He made a way to bridge the gap between God and humanity and to offer eternal life to all who believe.
This is grace in action: God’s love coming down to us. Even when we are weighed down with guilt, fear, or doubt, Jesus has come down to us and provided forgiveness, hope, and life. We Lutherans hold on to this promise and trust that faith in Christ, given to us by Word and Sacrament, is enough.
Prayers
A Prayer for Today:
Heavenly Father, we thank You for Your great love in sending Jesus to draw near to us. Let us trust in Your Son, who gave Himself for us. Strengthen our faith by Your Holy Spirit, that we may show Your love to others. In Jesus' name. 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.
The photo above is from a post on X.