Grace and peace in our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
“The Lord does not delay his promise, as some have it for delay; but he is patient with us, not wanting any to perish, but for all to come to repentance. " The Solid Statement of the Formula of Concord uses this verse nine four times in the article on election.
The doctrine of God's eternal election, or predestination, goes like this: God has chosen us, we have not chosen God. In his omnipotence God knew his sheep before the foundation of the world, as Saint Paul says in Ephesians 1: 4-5. He will sanctify in love those who are justified by faith, He will also protect them against the devil, the world and the flesh, He will lead and guide them in the divine paths, He will raise them up again when they have stumbled, He will comfort them in sorrow and sorrow. temptation and preserve them for eternal life. Furthermore, he will strengthen, increase, and sustain to the end, if they listen to God's Word, pray diligently, and faithfully use the means of grace.
However, it is not God's will, or God's plan that the wicked reject his gospel, they reject salvation of their own free will. God's mercy is universal and Jesus Christ paid the debt of all human beings on the cross. The Lord's purpose is clear: He wants all men to repent and live. The church is to see a missionary order in the Lord's delay of his return. Our responsibility is to proclaim the gospel to all men.
The other misconception about election is like this: If I have been chosen for salvation, nothing can harm me in that regard, even though I despise the Word and the sacraments and completely disregard repentance, prayer, and the godly life. This is the kernel of all New Testament teachings on the last things. The New Testament constantly says: "Be prepared, be faithful, be vigilant."
This is the point of the parable of the 10 virgins in our gospel (Matthew 25: 1-13). Jesus warns that many invited to participate in the eternal joy of his kingdom will be lost by not having living faith in the end. Although some will be convicted of heinous crimes and flagrant sins, many more will not enter heaven because they have neglected their faith. The oil represents a faith continually sustained by the means of grace. Notice, it is not necessary to worry about the sufficiency of his good works, because Christ has done everything for you. The danger is to think you do not have the need to confess your sins and receive forgiveness before the hour of judgment.
In the verses that precede our text, the apostle warns those who mock the Word of God until the day of judgment. The closer the last day approaches, the more rapidly the number of these scoffers increases and the bolder they become in their claims.
Even now, in books, articles and lectures, very intelligent and learned men with calm and a great display of wisdom, demonstrate that it is against science and reason to believe in creation or in the final judgment. They treat the very idea of a possible truth in the biblical account with scorn and scorn. They say that the laws of nature are immutable and that matter is eternal.
Saint Peter holds that the truth of humanity and its world as a special creation is evident even to the casual observer. But this is hidden from them, from those who willingly close their eyes to the evidence presented. The earth was not born by itself, it did not develop over the course of billions of years, but was created by the word of God, called into being by the word of his almighty power.
People deny that the world began and will end according to God's will because their conscience tells them that no matter what form their selfishness takes, they will be accountable to the Lord. And it is because of the fact that the idea of the Lord's return to judge them disturbs them in their life of sin that they try to ridicule the idea of the last day. Hence his mockery, the departure from a bad conscience.
There is always the danger that the mockery of unbelievers will leave only a small doubt in the hearts of Christians. But Christians must not be led astray. "But, beloved, be not ignorant of this: That one day before the Lord is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day."
The reason why he has not yet allowed the day of judgment to dawn is rather one that opens again to our eyes the wonderful love for sinners that fills his heart. He is still sending his servants to all parts of the world because he does not want the death of a single sinner. He wants all men to turn to Him with true repentance and faith in Jesus Christ the Savior.
Christians know that a life of sanctification, in which we avoid sin and strive earnestly to fulfill God's will in all respects, will not merit salvation. But as children of God, our only desire is to please our heavenly Father by leading lives that conform to his will. We must live each day as Christ comes tomorrow, having been made partakers of Christ's redemption. For this reason, it is possible that Christians at least begin a life of sanctification. The present time is still a time of grace for us, and we should be seriously concerned about making the most of this time, knowing that the reward of God's grace will be given to us in the end. In this hope, we have the peace that passes all understanding. Amen.
Send Pastor David Ernst an email.
Welcome
