October 2, 2022 – LWML Sunday Text: Romans 8:31-39
Dear Friends in the Christ,
Think of the powerful images being conveyed by someone holding another’s hand. The long-married couple clutching hands as one lies in a hospital bed. The parents holding the hand of a newborn son or daughter. The young couple on a first date nervous about touching each other’s hand. Fast forward to that same couple grasping tightly those same hands in front of God’s altar as they make a lifelong commitment to each other.
Earlier this summer when we went hiking in the Colorado Rockies there were opportunities to grasp each other hands. There were a few treacherous turns and loose rocks where a helping hand was wanted. A good grip was needed.
Today is LWML Sunday. The Lutheran Women’s Missionary League is an auxiliary organization of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod. Their mites, small offerings that when combined throughout Synod make millions of dollars every few years for mission projects around the world. For decades this organization has given a strong witness to how God’s love holds each of us.
Our text is from Romans 8. God is . . .
“FOR US AND WITH US”
The main subject in our text is God. The danger for us is that at times we may think our success depends upon our grip, our hold, our work. The Apostle Paul, inspired by the Holy Spirit, gives a different perspective. It is quite clear that God’s everlasting love holds us.
Because Jesus is for us and with us, we have no fear of condemnation. Paul writes, “What shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things.” (vs. 31-32). What things? Paul has just acknowledged that God has done everything for our salvation. Therefore, how should we respond? Paul continues:
“Who shall bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died – more than that, who was raised – who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us.” (vs. 33-34)
Why did Jesus die? You know, to pay for our sins. Why was He raised? Because the Father accepted this payment. The check has cleared. He died so that we might live.
Now Jesus is interceding for us. He is in the battle for us. Corrie Ten Boom said, “There is no pit so deep, that God’s love is not deeper still.” Think about your life? How did things go this week, for you? Did you speak to a loved one in a tone you would like to take back? Did you push away someone trying to assist you? Did you refuse a helping hand? We all fall short of the glory of God. The pit can be quite deep at times…but God’s love is deeper still. His arm is long and able to rescue us. Those arms and legs were spread on a cross to rescue us. Those limbs were made alive again as Jesus was raised from the dead. Jesus is with us and for us.
Because Jesus is for us and with us, we have no fear of separation. God will not let go of your hand. “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? As it is written, ‘For your sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.’ No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (vs. 35-39)
Notice what Paul does not say in the text. He does not say that our lives will be free of challenges or suffering or heartache. He doesn’t say that danger will not happen. Paul had his struggles. We have ours too. What weighs on your mind this morning? What permeates your thoughts? What would you include? Who would you include? No matter what you are facing, God declares you righteous and loved in Jesus. Our assurance comes from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Lutheran Women in Mission have served each other for many years. They have been there for their fellow sisters when lives seemed out of control. They remind each other that God is in control. They hold a hand and our reminded of God’s love in Christ.
Because Jesus is for us and with us, we have certain victory. Our baptism is the guarantee. St. Paul writes in Romans 6:4: “We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. Baptism is victory over sin, death, and the power of the devil. We are more than conquerors.
Our victory is not secure because of our hold on Christ, but by His hold on us. We can live confidently each day trusting in Jesus. Remain in his Word and grace and the Lord holds on to you – forever.
We thank the Lord for the hearts and hands of the LWML. They encourage our service with their service. May God continue to hold us in his love, the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Amen.