Having been brought to the Faith by Holy Baptism as an infant, and having had the opportunity by the grace of God to study and practice as a pastor under the same discipline, there is one passage of Holy Scripture that is particularly poignant on observing the Reformation:
"You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; it is these that testify about Me, and you are unwilling to come to Me so that you may have life." --John 5:39-40
These passages, later in John’s Gospel, state this similarly: "When the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, that is the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify about Me." --John 15:26
Jesus answered them, “I told you, and you do not believe; the works that I do in My Father’s name, these testify of Me". --John 10:25
It is the testimony of God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit you are given receive richly and daily, Dear Christian, but no more abundantly than in the liturgy of the Sabbath wherein you receive true peace and rest; a conscience free from sin, without which there is no peace.
True enough, you are unwilling to come to Him, therefore He calls you and brings you into His kingdom through tangible means of Water, Word, and Supper.
It is hidden, to be sure, this life and forgiveness you receive from Above. At the same time it is widely, concretely, and plainly published throughout the world. One Mediator. One Man born of a virgin, Whose life and being are sufficient for all who are subject to sin and death.
Do not look for Him according to your own way of thinking, but in His service to you on the Sabbath. For He has always been a ready Help in times of trouble and in times of prosperity. His help is such that He has raised you up with Himself in no other way than through His innocent sufferings and death in your body, together with His resurrection from the dead.
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