Live in Grace, Serve on Mission
In John 14, Jesus promises his disciples that he will give them what they need to be able to follow him. Today, Jesus continues to provide us with the Holy Spirit, who reminds us of what we have heard and works in our hearts to understand the Scriptures. In the Gospels, we get to see the life of Jesus as he models a perfect life of mission. But what do we do with all of that?
Paul wrote to the Ephesians, “Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God” (Eph 5:1-2).
But Jesus is the only one who lived perfectly, so how can we possibly match his example?
We read in the Book of Concord (a doctrinal standard for Lutheran theology), “…Christians are not under the Law, but under grace, because by faith in Christ the persons are freed from the curse and condemnation of the Law …their good works, although they are still imperfect and impure, are acceptable to God through Christ…”1
As we grow in our faith and live out God’s mission that he’s called us into, our good works are not attempting to add to the saving work that Jesus has already done. Instead, these actions are in response to that saving work.
Jesus gives us the answer when he says, “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing” (John 15:5). A few verses later he says, “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love.”
Remain in my love. We aren’t meant to do this on our own! When our focus is only on ourselves, our efforts are for nothing. Our efforts here in this broken world are sure to fail, end in disappointment, and only temporarily satisfy us. We plan our meals, vacations, school events, time with friends, and tasks at work, because, if we don’t, our lives become chaotic. What if we were also this intentional in our relationship with God? Do we treat our spiritual lives as just another piece to fit into our schedules? Or do we recognize that God desires to be the foundation in all areas of our lives? What if we made our spiritual lives an intentional part of our meals, our work, our friendships, and our vacations? Then every part of our lives would be an act of remaining in his love.
Luke 12 records Jesus reminding his followers not to worry because God will take care of them. Notice the way Jesus wraps up his speech in Luke: “But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well” (Luke 12:31). And then, “Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom... For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Luke 12:32, 34).
I used to read that last verse as law―that my heart would only be right if I followed the rules. But in the context of the gospel, I now hear it as the Lord’s invitation to treasure him most of all, and to intentionally “draw near” to him in all areas of life.
“Draw near to God and he will draw near to you” (James 4:8a, ESV).
I am reminded of how my wife and I encourage our children to “draw near”―to trust us, to listen to us. Not because we desire to control their lives, but because of our deep love and care for each of them. We want to be near to them in all parts of their lives. God loves us, he cares for us, and he desires the best for us. Christ’s sacrifice at the cross provides the grace and forgiveness we need when we fail, but he also wants us to intentionally seek him.
When we are intentional in our spiritual lives―listening to the Holy Spirit, reading the words of Scripture, and worshiping together as his Church―we will naturally grow closer to God. What better way to live our lives? Saved by grace through faith in the completed work of Jesus, but also wholeheartedly responding to God’s loving invitation to listen to his words. Let us live daily in his grace and serve him on mission.
Tim Mathiesen is the Director of Communications & Prayer for the Church of the Lutheran Brethren.
1 Formula of Concord: Solid Declaration, Article VI, paragraph 23