Six letters. That’s all you need. Six letters to explain the point of everything. Six letters to make crystal clear the entire Christian faith. What are those letters? FOR YOU.
“For you” makes the Gospel, well, the Gospel! The Gospel isn’t that Jesus died and rose. No, that’s just history. (Even the demons believe that.) What the Lord did isn’t just facts. He did it all for a reason, and His merits are for someone. FOR YOU!
Yes, even you. Yes, with all your sins and evil desires. “While we were still sinners, Christ died for the ungodly” (Romans 4). Christ died for you. Christ rose for you. Not just you. “Christ died for our sins” (1 Corinthians 15:3). For each and for all, too. “He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not only for our own, but also for the whole world!” (1 John 2:2)
All that Christ did is for you—has to be for you! He makes it yours. In His Spirit-filled Gifts, Christ delivers it right to you over and over and over again! Water and Word over your forehead. Gospel sermons and Absolution into your ears. God’s Word into your ears and eyes. Jesus’ Body and Blood into your mouth. No doubt about it: all Christ did, all Christ does—all FOR YOU!
Not just for each of you. Oh, no, no, no. There’s no end or limit to the Lord’s giving. No stop, no wall, no sin can contain His FOR YOU. It’s for all of you, and those around you, too! For all! For them, even them, through you!
Six letters. FOR YOU. Calvary. Easter. Font. Bible. Gospel sermons. Absolution. Supper. FOR YOU. Jesus’ salvation FOR YOU. Jesus’ mercy, forgiveness, and love FOR YOU. And that means it’s … no … He’s all yours and you are His.