It has been the hope that these articles espousing the practical application of what we believe, teach and confess as Lutherans concerning our vocation and our desire to share the faith with others has been helpful so that in your vocation, when you are asked you will be better able to give an answer for the hope that you have especially in explaining Lutheran Christian teachings.
Just as God calls us to life at conception, so He calls us to faith through Holy Baptism. God calls us to our vocations to serve Him by serving others. God calls us as priests in the priesthood of all believers to live our lives as lives of faith, pointing to Jesus. God gives us His authority to share His Word with others and the promise that He will be with us and give us the words to speak.
God gives us His Divine Service through which He pours out on us all His good gifts and blessings. Through the Divine Service God gives, strengthens and keeps us in faith. Indeed, the desire of a Christian is always to be when and where the gifts of God are given out, especially the Divine Service. Through the Divine Service as well as through Bible Class, other Bible Studies, personal and family reading of God’s Word, devotions and the like God fills us with the means of His Word, which the Holy Spirit uses to draw on to give an answer for the hope that we have in Jesus as our Savior.
Because most people are not interested in what you have to say unless you live what you say (practice what you preach) or unless they specifically ask you, our desire is to live a life of faith and be ready to give an answer for the hope that we have. And as we give an answer we rejoice in God giving the answer through us, not second guessing ourselves, not believe we should have said more or less, but knowing that God can and does work faith when and where He pleases, to the praise and glory of His Holy Name. To God be the glory.
52 of 52 © Rev. Dr. Ronald A. Bogs (2018)
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