Shade Tree Wisdom 10/15/13

          There is a large number of people, many unheralded and unsung, who belong to a special group called the Church. To them I belong. I belong not because I wanted it, but the Holy Spirit, through Baptism made me a member, because in Baptism God washed away my sins and called me righteous before Him. St. Paul in his Galatian letter said, “for you are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus, for as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. Gal. 3,26-27 

          And Titus has this: (5)he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, (6)whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, (7)so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life. (8)The saying is trustworthy, and I want you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed in God may be careful to devote themselves to good works. These things are excellent and profitable for people. Titus 3, 5-8. 

           So the Christian confesses, as we do in Mozart’s Requiem, “I am the reason for your journey to the Cross.” 

          God is at work. Jesus said to His disciples, “Ye have not chosen Me, but I have chosen you and ordained you that you should bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain.” And then said, “If ye were in the world, the world would love its own, but because you are not of the world, but I have chosen you of the world, therefore the world hateth you.” John 15, 16.19. 

          St. Peter calls you “a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a peculiar people, that you should show forth the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.” 1 Peter 2,9. 

          Baptism introduces us to a host of relatives, all forgiven, all called to be God’s holy family. All to be loved and cherished and treated as brothers and sisters. There is a bond fixed because they are all God’s children by His grace. 

          As church members they attend worship to be fed and their faith strengthened and enriched by the Word, and by the Holy Sacraments. They attend also to give thanks for God’s daily blessing. They are reminded that Christ is their Good Shepherd who watches and cares, and helps them when they become entangled with things in the world in which they live. 

          Church Membership is a special blessing. It says, “I belong”. I am part of God’s people by His grace. I am part of the flock to whom God said, “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved.” Mark 1616. 

          We are truly blessed. 

GPD 10/15/13