St. Paul wrote to the church in Corinth saying, "For we are not, like so many, peddlers of God's Word, but as men of sincerity, as commissioned by God, in the sight of God we speak in Christ" (2nd Corinthians 2:17).  I, and all my brother pastors, get you when it comes to your sin. We understand your struggles with sin, your failures in everyday life, your mistakes, your short-comings, your transgressions against the law, your active sins against your neighbor and your passive ones in which you are sinned against. We get it because we are sinners as well, but more than this, we get it because we are always, or at least should be always studying, the Law of God that tells us how to live and reveals our sin. The Law works on the pastor just as it works on you; therefore, I and all other pastors know what it means to preach the law to someone who doesn't want to hear it, but needs to hear it for the sake of their salvation. We get you, that you sin, that you feel guilty and ashamed, that you're conscience stricken, and that you are terrified of God's wrath and judgment. I and my brother pastors get it because we are sinners along side of you, as we preach the law to you. 

Greater than this though, is the reality that I and my brother pastors get you when it comes to you being forgiven. We get it, because we need the same forgiveness of sins. We need the same voice of peace spoken from our Savior Jesus. We need the same balm that heals all our wounds. We need the same Body and Blood of Jesus to strengthen us throughout our journey to heaven. We need the same absolution that acquits us of our sins and sends the devil packin. We need the same Gospel proclaimed and revealed to us, because the Gospel is not something that comes naturally to man, because it is foreign to us. The Law is written on the heart, and that is why the conscience is always burdening us. However, the Gospel is the plan of salvation that must be revealed to us in the life, death, and resurrection of our Lord, Jesus the Christ. The Gospel is not something we come to by ourselves, but rather it must be revealed to us both in printed and proclaimed Word. I and my brother pastors get this. We get that you don't come naturally to your forgiveness. We get that you need to hear the Law, yes, because it reveals your sin. But we get more that you need to hear the sweet voice of Jesus in the Gospel which forgives you of all of your sins. We get it, that you need to be absolved and assured of your justification, that you are right with the Father because of the mercy of Jesus.  We get it, because we need to hear it and receive it as well. We need to be forgiven; therefore, we know what it means to preach forgiveness to you. I get it. I need absolution on an hourly basis, I bet you do as well. I study the Word of God in order that I may know how much Jesus loves me, and that He will never leave me nor forsake me. This message I desire you to know as well. Jesus loves you, He will never leave you nor forsake you, and He ain't going anywhere while He ushers you into the eternal dwellings. We get you. You need to hear the law. However, we get that you need to hear the Gospel in quality and abundance. Quality meaning that you heart the pure Gospel, the absolute and unconditional forgiveness of your sins. Abundance, meaning that you will get sick and tired of hearing from me and my brothers about how much Jesus loves you, and guess what, when you think we're done, we'll add on a few more lines of Jesus sacrificial and unending love for you.

However, the greatest comfort you have is that when I and my brother pastors speak, we do not speak from ourselves, we speak in Christ. Therefore, when we speak, it is Jesus speaking to you, and the best part is, He wants to tell you how much He loves you, how He forgives you, and how everything is going to be alright in Him. 

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 voice of your Savior Jesus who says, "I forgive you. I love you. I claim you as My own forever," Amen.

Jesus' Sheepdog,

Pastor Hull