St. Paul, inspired by the Holy Spirit, wrote to the churches in Ephesus saying, " Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. ³⁰ And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. ³¹ Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. ³² Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you." (Ephesians 4:29-32).  

We, the baptized children of God, are given to be kind to each other and to build each other up in the forgiveness of each other's sins. St. Paul says we are to forgive as Jesus forgave us. This comes off as a strict command, and it can be. However, St. Paul is not burdening the saints further with an impossible task of delivering absolute forgiveness to each other, but rather is freeing them in the reality that they are forgiven and therefore it is a joy to free other's in the same manner. Think about it for a moment. Which feels better. Yes, feels. I know. I know. We are Lutheran and aren't supposed to have feelings and rely on our emotions. But, we have emotions and we feel things. So. Which feels better? Does it feel better when you are criticizing your neighbor, tearing them down, yelling at them, and pointing out every imperfection they have? Or, does it feel better to tell someone you love them, to cheer them on in life, and to let them know 5 good things you like about them. Which feels better, even physically feels better? Think of it even this way. Which feels better, to critique the Astros when they are losing, or to jump out of your seat cheering when they win off a 3 run home run in the bottom of the ninth? Which feels better, to withhold forgiveness from your neighbor and hold a grudge, or to forgive them, let the sin go, and live in love and concord with all around you?

It is a better thing to speak forgiveness and love, in order that we may deliver grace to the one who hears it. We are freed and forgiven absolutely in Jesus, no sin is ours anymore. Jesus has claimed it all. Our sin is now His, and His righteousness is ours. It is as if He committed all of our sins, so now, the devil and the law can accuse us no more, for we are in Christ, covered in His righteousness, and created anew in His forgiveness. Jesus is your sacrificial Lamb, determined to be slain from all eternity, in order that you may be freed from the torment of the devil's taunts, rescued from the terror of death, and delivered from the anxiety of the Old Adam. Jesus has done all things well for you, has delivered you, and right here, right now, forgives you all of your sins so that you may stand before your Father in heaven as a pure child, without spot or blemish. 

So, my friends, until we are called home into the eternal dwellings, let us love one another and forgive one another. Let this be for our joy, to take each day as a a day to build each other up, and to be built up ourselves in the forgiveness of our sins. Know that today you live, not as a condemned child of the world, but rather as a redeemed and saved child of God, one awaiting eternity of joy and peace. 

Peace be with you. May the devil be silenced, the world be hushed, and the Old Adam be drowned anew so that you hear only the peaceful voice of your Savior Jesus who says, "I forgive you. I love you. I claim you as My own forever," Amen.

Jesus' Sheepdog