Thursday, October 4, 2012
Introduction: Very recently, I attended a Church of the Lutheran Confession pastoral conference. I was curious what favorite Bible verses these pastors cling to in their lives and why. So I asked. Twelve pastors responded.
FAVORITE BIBLE VERSES (4)
Colossians 1:17 And He [Jesus Christ] is before all things, and in Him all things consist.
"Everything is connected to Christ!"
2 Corinthians 5:14-15 For the love of Christ compels us, because we judge thus: that if One died for all, then all died; and He died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again.
"Christ gave His life for me. His love moves me to give my life in service to Him!"
I once heard someone say, "If you cut the Bible (open it up) anywhere, it bleeds the blood of our Savior." It took me awhile to realize how this was so true! Every part of the Bible speaks to the love of God's hand in our lives. Just think of His creation and preservation of all things, the fatherly warning against sin and disobedience, the divine justice of His wrath and punishment against idolatry and unbelief, promises of redemption, humiliation in taking on our flesh, the sacrificial love for all people, the protection of His Word of Truth, the promise to be with us always, or the eternal peace of eternal life!
As I give adult instruction classes it stands out how the Old Testament points to the promised coming Messiah and Savior -- Jesus Christ -- and how the New Testament points to His arrival and what this now means for me! This Word of my Savior, as seen in 2 Corinthians 5 above, really does "compel me" to serve myself no longer but rather Jesus who has given me the victory over all my sins and the joy of eternal life! That's what life is all about!
Be still, my soul; the hour is hastening on
When we shall be forever with the Lord,
When disappointment, grief, and fear are gone,
Sorrow forgot, love's purest joys restored.
Be still, my soul; when change and tears are past,
All safe and blessed we shall meet at last.
(The Lutheran Hymnal, 651:4)
