"The Calling to Which You Have Been Called"

In the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

You have often heard me say that Christian life consists in these two things: in faith and then in good works; that after coming to faith a person should be pious and lead a visibly good life. Most depends on the first part, on faith, and the second is not at all equal to the first in importance, although the world thinks more and better of it than it does of faith, preferring good works to faith (What Luther Says, para. 645).

This is how Luther briefly describes the relationship between the two parts of the Christian life. Faith and good works. Faith is the chief thing, but good works must follow. However, faith is always the deciding point, the hook upon which the Christian life hangs.

Your salvation rests on Jesus Christ and His atoning sacrifice, and not on your own merit or worthiness. While you were yet sinners, Christ died for you. In the fullness of time, the Father of all mercies sent His only-begotten Son into the flesh to bear your sins and be your savior. The Son of God, born of the Virgin Mary, has taken away the condemnation of your sins and guilt. His blood has washed you clean and made you pure and holy.

This glorious work has already been done for you. It is accomplished; it is an historical fact which cannot and need not be repeated. As St. Paul says, “you were called to the one hope”, that is, the call has already come to you, and you have already been brought into the Ark of Christendom. Jesus said, “It is finished!” There is nothing for you to do, nothing for you to add. Even the faith by which you apprehend this is a gift poured into you by the Holy Spirit.

Because your salvation is accomplished, because your sins are forgiven, you need not fret about your salvation. Our Lord says, “Do not be anxious... But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness.” What must you do to be saved? What is needful has already been done for you. Therefore, go and seek how to live as the child God has called you to be and has made you to be.

Indeed the Kingdom of God has already come, and is now here. Jesus went about the towns and villages preaching “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” Where Christ is, there is the kingdom of God. Since Christ Jesus is in your midst, the kingdom of God is in your midst. That is why we confess:

God's kingdom comes when our heavenly Father gives us His Holy Spirit, so that by His grace we believe His holy Word and lead godly lives here in time and there in eternity (SC III:2).

To you the Kingdom of God has already come, since He has already given to you the Holy Spirit in your Baptism, the same Baptism you share with all Christians everywhere, and the same Spirit who quickens the entire Church of God.

Therefore, you are empowered by the Holy Spirit who calls and sanctifies you in the Gospel to live as you are called to be: children of the Most High and servants of His people everywhere. The Kingdom comes as you live godly lives here in time. That means that you live as He has called you to be: sons and daughters, husbands and wives, mothers and fathers, siblings, citizens, workers, masters, neighbors, friends.

You are called to seek after righteousness, and all things needful will come to you. What does it mean to seek righteousness? The prophet Micah writes, “He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?” (6:8). To seek righteousness is to do the Law.

Do those things the Law commands of you, because they are necessary. They are not necessary to God, since He needs nothing. They are not necessary to your salvation, because that has already been accomplished. But they are necessary to your neighbor, because he needs to be served with the gifts you have to offer. This is why the Lord has called you to service – that He might act through you. You are the Lord's instrument, the mask behind which He hides to accomplish His purposes in this life.

When you do justice, when you treat your neighbor with compassion and mercy, you are showing forth the love of God in the flesh. “Whatever you did for one of the least of these, you did for Me” is not just a cute sentiment. This is the life to which God has called you. The life of hungry animals, the life of poopy diapers, the life of dirty dishes. This is the life wherein the people in the nursing home need visiting, disaster relief efforts need donations, troops overseas need letters. This is the life we lead together, where no one of you is an island unto himself.

To love kindness is to do kindness. That means you love your neighbor by helping him. Ordinary things add up to great gifts. You may not, probably will not, be recognized for your giving often. But your acts of kindness and mercy to those in need are seen by Him who sees all, even in secret. Seek after righteousness, and all these things will be added unto you.

How does St. Paul instruct you to live? “Walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called.” To what have you been called? Firstly, to receive the gifts of God, both in body and soul. Your heavenly Father gives you all things needful, even before you know how to ask. So receive His gifts. Let Him give to you all that He has to offer. Be bathed in the font, be washed white as snow. Confess your sins and hear the blessed word of Absolution spoken into your ear and heart. Come often to the Lord's Table and eat and drink heartily of the Body and Blood of our Lord freely given to you for the forgiveness of your sins. Give thanks to the God of heaven each day and often that He opens His hand and satisfies your needs.

Receive the gifts of God, and revel in them. Enjoy the fact that your needs are met. Rejoice that your sins are forgiven in Christ. Shine with the light of Christ because the Holy Spirit fills you. Give thanks that you are so richly blessed to have everything needful.

Then “let your light so shine before men”. Show forth the Lord's death until He comes. Let it be evident to all that you carry about the death of Jesus in your body, that the life of Jesus might be manifest in you. Let the love of God poured into you overflow through your members, that you may bring the Kingdom of God to those in need by your works of mercy to the weaker members of the Body. After all, faith is proven active in love toward the neighbor.

We do not say that we are simply to think: If I believe, the matter is settled, and it need not do anything good. No! You must do good works and practice many of them toward your neighbor so that your faith shines externally in life as it shines internally in your heart. Yet you should say that this good life does not help you to salvation, for faith has already helped you (What Luther Says, para. 651).

In the Name of Jesus. Amen.