1. John 4,16-21. 1. Trinity

 1. John 4,16-21 3123

1. Trinitatis 47 

Barnabas, Apostle, Martyr in Salamis, Cyprus 61

11. Juni 2023

1. ℣ I have trusted in Thy mercy:

℟ My heart shall rejoice in Thy salvation (Psalm 13,5). 

O Yahweh, Thou art gracious; help us to remember those in physical or spiritual need, so that by our charity they are encourage that You are the True God who delivers.  Amen. (Psalm 41,4.1 Gradual)

2. »So we have been enlightened and believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him. By this is love perfected with us, so that we may have confidence for the day of judgment, because as He is so also are we in this world. There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love. We love because He first loved us. If anyone says: “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen. And this commandment we have from Him: whoever loves God must also love his brother.« 

 3. The the apostle John declares that God is love. Ὁ θεὸς ἀγάπη ἐστίν. His love is unconditional. John summarize is it perfectly in his Gospel: »For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, so that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life« (John 3,16). He also highlights it a few verses earlier in his epistle: »In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent His only Son into the world, so that we might live through Him. In this is love, not that we have loved God but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins« (4, 9-10). 

4. Yahweh expects His people to love Him and their neighbors. The specific laws given at Sinai lay forth how that love manifests itself in daily life. Centuries later, the Prophets reminded the people: when love for God is lacking, then love for the neighbor is soon abandoned. By our fallen human nature, we are more prone to hate rather than to love, we are more apt to fear rather than to believe. The apostolic exhortation to love God and all people causes our hearts to become terror stricken, for we acknowledge we do not love as we ought, nor can we, because we are fallen people. Likewise, fearing God comes more naturally to us than believing God. Who can satisfactorily fulfill, God’s law and please Him? 

5. Jesus taught: »What is impossible with men and women is possible with God« (Luke 18,27). »Yahweh redeems the life of His servants; none of those who take refuge and Him will be condemned« (Psalm 34,22). God responds to our hatred and unbelief with the gospel. Jesus loves us with all His heart, soul and mind. He shed His blood and sacrificed Himself for us on the cross out of unconditional love for us. He then took up His life again from the grave to redeem and restore us once more to His Heavenly Father. The Scriptures proclaim that the judgment of sinners has been born by Jesus: His judgment results in our justification. What is impossible with us is possible with Jesus. He is the Perfect Love of His Father, and by grace the Holy Spirit perfects the same love in us. Jesus taught and preached this gospel.

6. On the eve of leading the host of Israel into Canaan, Yahweh promised Joshua: »Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for Yahweh your God is with you wherever you go« (Joshua 1,9). How did Israel know Yahweh was present with them? His glory was in their midst, as a pillar of cloud or fire; where the ark was, there was a Yahweh‘s glory; when the tabernacle was pitched, Yahweh filled the holy of holies. Jesus repeated this promise to His Church: »I am with you always to the end of the age« (Matthew 28,20). How do we know Jesus is present with us? He tells us:  »For where two or three are gathered in My Name, there am I among them« (Matthew 18,20). He is really present with us in His Supper, for He gives us His Body and blood to eat and drink. Thus Paul teaches: »The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a participation in the blood of Christ? The bread that we break, is it not a participation in the body of Christ?« (1. Corinthians 10,16). 

7. »Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in Him, and He in God« (1. John 4,15). By this abiding the Holy Spirit strengthens faith and love in God and thus also love for our neighbors. The Triune God’s abiding presence with us is great comfort and strength in a world that delights in godlessness and inhuman actions. To this world we extend clemency and charity to bring compassion  and peace in their lives. For only the merciful steadfast love of God can bring tranquility and forgiveness to those burdened by guilt and sin. May the Holy Spirit proclaim the gospel through us and create faith in Christ Jesus. 

8. This is the Father’s will,

Who has created us. 

His Son has the fullness of good 

And acquired grace for us.

Also God the Comforter 

To us faith has given, 

Leads us to the kingdom of heaven. 

To Him be glory, praise and honor! (Von Gott will ich nicht lassen selk 630,9 2021 Ludwig Helmbold 1563, Nuernberg 1569) 

This is most certainly true. 

9. The peace of God, which surpasses all understanding keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4,7).  Amen. 

10. Let us pray. Grant, O Lord, to Thy servants and followers who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, that their conversation may be as becometh the Gospel of Christ, that they may stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the Gospel; that in nothing terrified by their adversaries, they may be bold in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on Him but also to suffer for His sake. Amen. (1. Trinity, Vespers Collect 2. The Daily Office. Copyright © 1965 Concordia Publishing House.) 

To God alone be the Glory 

Gode ealdore sy se cyneþrymm

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All Scriptural quotations are translations done by The Rev. Peter A. Bauernfeind using the Biblia Hebraica Stuttgartensia, 4. Edition © 1990 Deutsche Bibelgesellschaft, Stuttgart, Septuaginta, Vol. I and II 2. Revised Edition © 2006 Deutsche Bibelgesellschaft, Stuttgart and the Novum Testamentum Graece, Nestle-Aland 28. Revised Edition © 2012 Deutsch Bibelgesellschaft, Stuttgart. 

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