Redemption

Spiritual giant, Martin Luther, once wrote about the heart-wrenching disagreement Paul and Barnabas had in the book of Acts. He wrote:

“Such examples are written for our consolation: for it is a great comfort to us to hear that great saints, who have the Spirit of God, also struggle. Those who say that saints do not sin would deprive us of this comfort.

“Samson, David, and many other celebrated men full of the Holy Spirit fell into grievous sins. Job and Jeremiah cursed the day of their birth; Elijah and Jonah were weary of life and desired death. No one has ever fallen so grievously that he may not rise again. Conversely, no one stands so firmly that he may not fall. If Peter (and Paul and Barnabas) fell, I too may fall. If they rose again, I too may rise again.”

And that is our hope. There is more grace in God than there is sin in us. Redemption is possible. Even now.

Let us pray: Loving God, you know how we struggle. You know how we have fallen, how we come up short. Yet you love us still. We thank you for your unending love and amazing grace. Be at work in us again this day. Heal our wounds, our addictions, our destructive ways, and raise us again to new life. For we pray in the name of the One who rose for us. Amen.