The opening piece is from “Union with Christ” – The New Finnish Interpretation of Luther.
According to the “Hebrew manner of speaking,” the properties of God constitute the essence of God…
The properties of God, which at thee same time form the essence of God, are, for example, righteousness, wisdom, power, holiness, joy, peace, eternal life – and especially love. All of these properties of God, which are at the same time the essence of God, are present in their abundance in the person of Christ. The believer, having on the basis of God’s agape-love a share in Christ, also thereby partakes of the properties of God’s being.
It is stuff like this that makes it sound like we are being pulled into a story much greater than our own. It is easy to say, ‘But, I’m only me!’ And yet, that me is a person blessed and called by God into a story in which the those wonderful attributes of God’s essence is let lose to flow over us. I am not saying that we turn this wonderful reality into the beginning of some measuring stick by which we start to judge ourselves and others (for we so easily fall into that guilt-ridden pathway). Rather, we have someplace to turn – always. Within the brokenness and bitterness and shortfalls of our day, we are, by our baptism in Christ, Jesus, pulled through the water into new life…it is always within the wealth of treasures offered to us in Christ.
Connection: Sometimes people may say give us more than the simple promise that God loves us. I wish I could…but from this promise all things are possible…so let’s give ourselves the freedom to jump out into the promise and begin following the one who continues to be our light.
Blessed Lord, you do not step back from us. Instead, you pursue us and long to walk with us as we walk within your loving Reign. Encourage us and empower us to live according to your promises. Amen.
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