“Now when John had heard in the prison the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples, and said unto him, Art thou he that should come, or do we look for another?” Matthew 11:2-3

Are you ever troubled by doubts concerning your faith? Have you ever doubted that Jesus really is God the Son in human flesh come into this world to save us from sin and everlasting punishment? Or, are you ever troubled by doubts about God’s mercy and forgiveness for you in Jesus Christ? Are my sins really forgiven? Will Christ come and receive me into the eternal joys of heaven?

John the Baptist boldly prepared the way for the coming of the Messiah and Savior by calling upon all to repent of their sinful and self-centered ways and pointing them to Jesus, God’s Son and the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world (Luke 3:1ff.; John 1:29,34).

He was even so bold as to call upon King Herod to repent of his sinful ways, pointing out that he was sinning by having his brother Philip’s wife (Luke 3:19-20; Lev. 18:6,16).

But now, he was watching and hearing of Jesus from a dark prison cell. Jesus had not yet fulfilled those ancient prophecies which spoke of the Messiah judging the wicked and unbelieving world and establishing an everlasting kingdom in which righteousness dwells (cf. Ps. 96:13; 145:13; Dan. 2:44). Though he had been faithful, now he was awaiting his execution and Jesus seemingly was doing nothing about it.

Perhaps this is why John sent two of his disciples to Jesus. Or, perhaps, he was directing his disciples to Jesus for their own sakes. But coming to Jesus with our doubts and fears is a good place to bring them.

“Art thou he that should come, or do we look for another?” they asked.

“Jesus answered and said unto them, Go and shew John again those things which ye do hear and see: The blind receive their sight, and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel preached to them. And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me” (Matt. 11:4-6; cf. Isa. 29:18; 35:3ff.; 61:1ff.; 28:16; 8:14f.).

Is Jesus the promised Messiah? Yes, He is the one promised — the Seed of the woman (Gen. 3:15; Isa. 7:14); the Son of David (Luke 1:30-35; Isa. 9:6-7); the Redeemer of mankind (Gal. 4:4-5).

Why do we go on suffering in this world? Why has He not come to judge the living and the dead and to establish His everlasting kingdom? He “is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance” (2 Pet. 3:9).

And so we see, through the preaching of the Gospel, the spiritually blind seeing their sin and seeing in Christ Jesus their Savior, the spiritually lame walking and living for their God, those with incurable sins cleansed in the blood of Jesus, those who could not hear and understand the Word of God hearing and believing, those dead in their trespasses and sins raised to new life through faith in Christ Jesus (cf. Eph. 2:1ff.).

“I believe that I cannot by my own reason or strength believe in Jesus Christ, my Lord, or come to Him; but the Holy Ghost has called me by the Gospel, enlightened me with His gifts, sanctified and kept me in the true faith; even as He calls, gathers, enlightens, and sanctifies the whole Christian Church on earth, and keeps it with Jesus Christ in the one true faith; in which Christian Church He forgives daily and richly all sins to me and all believers, and at the last day will raise up me and all the dead, and will give to me and to all believers in Christ everlasting life. This is most certainly true” (Luther’s Small Catechism, Apostles’ Creed, Art. III).

And, when Jesus comes back on the Last Day, we and all believers will “be His own, and live under Him in His kingdom, and serve Him in everlasting righteousness, innocence, and blessedness, even as He is risen from the dead, lives and reigns to all eternity“ (Luther’s Small Catechism, Apostles’ Creed, Art. II).

O gracious and merciful Savior, grant that we not doubt but take comfort in Your gracious working to establish Your kingdom and make us Your own. Amen.

[Scripture quotations are from the King James Version of the Bible.]

“For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, but a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries. He that despised Moses’ law died without mercy under two or three witnesses: of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace? For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people. It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.” Hebrews 10:26-31

Very few preachers speak of mortal and venial sin any more. Instead, they treat all sin as though it’s really not a big deal. Yet the Bible, as well as the Lutheran Confessions, clearly speaks of both mortal and venial sins.

For example, John writes in his first epistle: “If any man see his brother sin a sin which is not unto death, he shall ask, and he shall give him life for them that sin not unto death. There is a sin unto death: I do not say that he shall pray for it. All unrighteousness is sin: and there is a sin not unto death” (5:16-17).

In the Apology to the Augsburg Confession, Melanchthon writes: “But since we speak of such faith as is not an idle thought, but of that which liberates from death and produces a new life in hearts, [which is such a new light, life, and force in the heart as to renew our heart, mind, and spirit, makes new men of us and new creatures,] and is the work of the Holy Ghost; this does not coexist with mortal sin [for how can light and darkness coexist?], but as long as it is present, produces good fruits, as we will say after a while” (Art. IV, Par. 64f.).

In the Smalcald Articles, Luther writes: “It is, accordingly, necessary to know and to teach that when holy men, still having and feeling original sin, also daily repenting of and striving with it, happen to fall into manifest sins, as David into adultery, murder, and blasphemy, that then faith and the Holy Ghost have departed from them [they cast out faith and the Holy Ghost]. For the Holy Ghost does not permit sin to have dominion, to gain the upper hand so as to be accomplished, but represses and restrains it so that it must not do what it wishes. But if it does what it wishes, the Holy Ghost and faith are [certainly] not present. For St. John says, 1 John 3:9: Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin, … and he cannot sin…” (Art. III, Par. 43ff.).

So, what are mortal and venial sins? Both are transgressions of the law, and both are deserving of God’s eternal wrath and punishment (cf. 1 John 3:4; Rom. 6:23a; Ezek. 18:4).

Venial sins are those sins a Christian commits unintentionally or in moments of weakness but then repents and seeks God’s forgiveness for the sake of Christ Jesus and His atoning sacrifice upon the cross. Old Testament sacrifices could be offered for venial, unintentional sins but not for willful and intentional sins.

And, indeed, all Christians commit venial sins. The Bible tells us: “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness … My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: and he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world” (1 John 1:8-9; 2:1-2).

Mortal sins are those sins that people commit willfully and intentionally and which drive out the Holy Spirit and destroy faith in Christ. They are called mortal sins because, unless one is graciously brought to repentance and faith in Christ, they lead to eternal death and damnation.

Unbelievers continue in mortal sins, but believers too can fall into mortal sin if they reject the regenerating work of the Holy Spirit and intentionally turn back into sin and disobedience.

It is why David prayed: “Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy Holy Spirit from me” (Ps. 51:11); and why Paul warned the believers at Ephesus: “And grieve not the Holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption” (Eph. 4:30). It is also why Paul warns against abusing our liberty in Christ to sin in Romans 6.

If we willfully reject the Word of God and turn back into sin, we drive out the Holy Spirit and turn away from Christ who redeemed us. And when we reject the work of the Holy Spirit and turn away from Christ to go our own way, what hope is there for us?

That is why the writer to the Hebrews cautions us: “If we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, but a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries. He that despised Moses’ law died without mercy under two or three witnesses: of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace? For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people. It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God” (Heb. 10:26-31; cf. 6:4ff; 2 Pet. 2:18ff.).

John also writes: “Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law. And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin. Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him” (1 John 3:4-6).

What’s my point in speaking to you of mortal and venial sin?

First of all, we all sin daily in our thoughts, desires, words and actions; and we all are in constant need of God’s mercy and forgiveness in Christ Jesus! It is why we examine ourselves, confess our sins and continually seek God’s mercy and forgiveness through confession and absolution. It’s why we return daily to the blessings offered and given to us through the preaching of the Gospel and in our Baptisms. It’s why we partake often of the very body and blood of Christ which was sacrificed for us on the cross and is given to us in the Lord’s Supper for the remission of our sins.

And, secondly, lest we deceive ourselves into thinking we can be Christians and continue on wilfully in disobedience to God’s commandments — whether that be misusing God’s name, neglecting His Word and Sacraments, disobeying parents and other authorities, causing harm to others, viewing pornography or participating in an illicit sexual relationship, being dishonest in our dealings with others, participating in slander or gossip, or coveting persons or property — we should take to heart God’s warnings concerning mortal sin and know that we cannot willfully continue in sin and still have faith in Christ. The two just don’t go together! Rather, God would have us repent of our sinful ways, looks to Christ in faith for mercy and then seek God’s help and strength to amend our sinful ways and live for Christ, in accord with God’s commandments.

Therefore, I ask you to examine yourselves and confess your sins before the LORD God, seeking His mercy and forgiveness for the sake of Christ and His atoning sacrifice on the cross. If you are struggling with temptation and sin, confess your sins before God, look to Christ in faith for forgiveness and seek God’s help to amend your ways and to walk in accord with God’s commandments.

Remember that “we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: and he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world” (1 John 2:1,2).

And, if you are sorry for your sins and look in faith to Christ and His cross for forgiveness, I, as your minister, announce the grace of God unto you and, in the stead and by the command of our Lord Jesus Christ, forgive you all our sins in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

[Scripture quotations are from the King James Version of the Bible.]

“And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God. And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end. Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man? And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.” Luke 1:30-35

Who is Jesus? The announcement of the Angel Gabriel to the Virgin Mary leaves no doubt. Jesus is Jehovah God in the flesh! He is the “Son of the Highest” and also the promised Son of David who would rule over God’s people forever and ever.

How can this be? The Holy Spirit caused Mary, a virgin, to conceive; the power of the Highest overshadowed her. It is in this way and for this reason that the Holy Child born to her would be called the Son of God. Jesus is Immanuel [God with us] and Jehovah our Savior as His name itself tells us.

It is as Isaiah prophesied some seven hundred years before Christ: “Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel” (Isa. 7:14); and, “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.” (Isa. 9:6-7).

In the Person of Jesus, and by means of the virgin birth, Jehovah God Himself took on human flesh and blood and became true man and lived among us that He might fulfill the righteous demands of God’s law for us and then bear the full punishment for our sins by going to the cross and suffering and dying in our stead. This Jesus did; and because He is the very Son of God, His innocent sufferings and death are accepted of God the Father as a propitiating sacrifice, full atonement, for the sins of the whole world. Jesus’ resurrection is proof (cf. Rom. 1:3-4; 4:23-25; 1 John 2:1-2).

God sent His Son that we who stand condemned by God’s holy law might flee to Christ Jesus and place our faith and trust in His perfect life in our stead and His innocent sufferings and death on the cross for the sins of the world. And when we do, God graciously forgives our sins and accepts us as His own dear children for Jesus’ sake (cf. Gal. 4:4-5; 2:16; 3:26ff.; Eph. 1:3ff.; John 3:16; 5:24).

What a miracle for a virgin to conceive and bear a Son! And, what a miracle of grace for God Himself to become true man and go to the cross to redeem you and me and then send His Holy Spirit to bring us to faith and keep us in faith in the Son through the preaching of the Gospel!

O, gracious Father, we thank You for so loving the world that You sent Your only-begotten Son to be born a true man of the Virgin Mary that He might redeem us from sin and death and grant us life everlasting through faith in Jesus’ name. Amen.

[Scripture quotations are from the King James Version of the Bible.]

“You shall not commit adultery.” Exodus 20:14

While we might commonly think of adultery only in the narrowest sense of being unfaithful to the marriage vow by engaging in a sexual relationship outside of marriage, this commandment of the LORD God really applies to all perversions of – all adulterating of – God’s original design and intent for the marriage relationship described for us in Genesis 2.

Thus, a person commits adultery when he or she is unfaithful to the marriage vow and has a sexual relationship outside of marriage; but a person also commits adultery through divorce, evil thoughts, pornography, fornication, sexual immorality, homosexuality, and any other sexual perversion. Even a refusal to fulfill one’s duties in marriage is contrary to God’s intent and design (cf. 1 Cor. 7:1ff.). And, whatever is not in accord with God’s intent and design at creation – the lifelong commitment and union of a man and a woman in marriage – is adultery.

This is why Jesus said, “Whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart” (Matthew 5:28). He also says, “Whoever divorces his wife for any reason except sexual immorality causes her to commit adultery; and whoever marries a woman who is divorced commits adultery” (Matthew 5:32; cf. Mark 10:12; Matthew 19:3ff.). The Bible clearly teaches: “Marriage is honorable among all, and the bed undefiled; but fornicators and adulterers God will judge” (Hebrews 13:4).

When we consider this commandment, we again see our sins and failures to live up to God’s holy intent and design in creation. In fact, our whole culture is in rebellion against God’s will and design for marriage and a sexual union within marriage; and we, as individuals, have also disobeyed and rebelled in our thoughts, desires, words and actions.

Our only hope is in Messiah Jesus, who kept this commandment perfectly in our stead and then bore our full punishment and won our pardon and release when He suffered and died upon the cross for the sins of the world and rose again on the third day. He calls us to repent of our evil ways and turn unto Him in faith for forgiveness and life everlasting. Only in Him and His blood shed for us upon the cross can we sinners find pardon, forgiveness and peace!

O dearest Jesus, forgive me for my sins in thought, word and deed. Change my heart to be like Yours. Amen.

[Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.]

“Thou shalt not hearken unto the words of that prophet, or that dreamer of dreams: for the LORD your God proveth you, to know whether ye love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul.” Deuteronomy 13:3

God warns His people that, should a prophet arise who would lead them away from God and the truth of His Word — even if he should do signs and wonders — they should not listen to that prophet but testify against him that he might be removed from among Gods people. Even if it is one’s spouse or close family member, God’s people were to bear witness against them that they might be put to death for their false teaching.

But why would God allow false prophets to arise in the first place? Why does He still permit erring teachers to arise in the visible church of our day to proclaim their erring views and mislead God’s people and cause divisions among us?

As the Bible teaches, it is a test of our faith. “The LORD your God proveth you, to know whether ye love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul.”

It was difficult for believers in Old Testament Israel to hand over those who erred and spread false ideas and erring doctrine — especially when it was a close friend or companion (cf. Deut. 13:5ff.) — and they often failed to do so, leading to their fall. And, it is difficult today to practice what Jesus and His apostles have commanded in regard to those who teach or advance erring doctrines (1 Tim. 6:3-5; Rom. 16:17-18; Eph. 5:11; Matt. 7:15ff.). It’s hard to rebuke sin and error, and even harder when we must mark and avoid those who cause divisions in the church with their erring doctrine or sinful lives.

But remember that “the LORD your God proveth you, to know whether ye love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul.”

St. Paul writes: “For there must be also heresies among you, that they which are approved may be made manifest among you.” (1 Cor. 11:19).

Do you love the LORD God enough to hold fast to Him and His Word even when friends and close family members support erring views and teachings? Do you “love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul”?

Who comes first in your life? The LORD God and His Word or earthly affiliations?

O God, graciously keep me in Your truth and grant me the strength to hold fast to You and Your Word at all times for You have “the words of eternal life” (John 6:68). I ask this for Jesus’ sake. Amen.

[Scripture quotations are from the King James Version of the Bible.]