July 24, 2008 - Thursday of the 9th Week after Trinity

Today's Reading: 1 Corinthians 10:6-13

Daily Lectionary: 1 Samuel 8:1-22; Acts 21:15-36

No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it. (1 Corinthians 10:6)

You are baptized. This means that nothing will ever tempt you and you will be free from the woes of the world, doesn’t it? If only that were true! At times it seems like as a Christian your woes and temptations increase. It seems like the evil foe is out to get you. You are, in fact, a marked man.

You are marked – marked by the blood of the Lamb when His name was sealed upon your head and your heart in the waters of Holy Baptism. Marked men are always on the run, fleeing from the Devil and his legions. He’s a crafty one, that Devil; he knows where and when to strike to tempt you to forsake all that has been given you in Christ.

When these things that the Devil throws at us beat us down, we may, at times, want to ignore our Baptism and walk the easy path. It’s easy to live in the world and of the world – lots of people do it. There is no comfort, no joy and no hope in the world. Only in Christ can such things be found.

All the temptation that is thrown at us still cannot shake the promises of God in Christ Jesus. Even when we succumb to temptation and fall into sin our Lord’s promise to forgive our sins and cleanse us in His righteousness stands true. God is faithful in Christ Jesus even when we are not.

In Baptism we are able to bear what the world throws at us. In Baptism we can look to the temptations of the world and know that even as powerful as they are the Lord’s forgiveness is still more powerful. There is no sin and no temptation so great that the Lord has not already answered for it.

At Calvary, Jesus took all that humanity had done, all that it would do and all that it could do and nailed it to the Cross with His flesh. He paid our penalty so that no sin would overtake us and that in Him and by Holy Baptism, we might always be able to bear what the world throws our way. In the name of Jesus, Amen.

Sin, disturb my soul no longer: I am baptized into Christ! I have comfort even stronger: Jesus' cleansing sacrifice. Should a guilty conscience seize me Since my baptism did release me In a dear forgiving flood, Sprinkling me with Jesus blood? (LSB 594:2)

Questions or comments regarding the Reflections may be sent to the Rev. Mark Buetow, Reflections Editor, reflections@higherthings.org.

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