Monday, June 13, 2016

Peace, False and True


"They have healed the brokenness of My people superficially,
Saying, ‘Peace, peace,’ But there is no peace."

This can be said of anyone who does not apprehend and preach the Word of God in its truth and purity, as well as those who refuse to hear it, because true peace is only where the enmity between God and man is satisfied, and that satisfaction is only in the crucified and risen Christ Jesus, whose life and benefits are openly and freely proclaimed and distributed to all who walk through the valley of the shadow of death with fear and trembling.

To make the Word of God into a book of rules for self-justification is to offer only superficial peace. To ignore the Commandments as if they were merely the utterances of misguided goat herders is even worse.

Peace is found nowhere else than through faith in Christ Jesus, whose righteousness avails before God for all people throughout all ages. This faith takes hold of peace where it is given abundantly and concretely: Baptism, Supper, and the word of forgiveness. This faith, like creation itself, is neither for sale nor for self-improvement, but is poured out abundantly from Above, like springs in the desert.

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