Concerning the matter of free will

Many of you have heard of making a decision for Christ. How is it that you do this when you cannot save yourself? I prefer the way Dr. Luther puts it in the Small Catechism.

" I believe that I cannot by my own reason or strength.  believe in Jesus Christ, my Lord or come to him . But the Holy Spirit has called me by the Gospel enlightened me with his gifts sanctified and kept me in the true faith. In the same way he calls gathers , enlightens, and sanctifies the whole Christian Church on earth and keeps it with Jesus Christ in the one true faith. In this Christian Church He daily and richly forgives all my sins and the sins of all believers . On the Last Day He will raise up me and all the dead and will give eternal life to me and to all believers in Christ. This is most certainly true."

If you think that you have asked Jesus in your heart then that seems to me a rather imperfect salvation as you and I are sinners. We have the ability to do the things of everyday activity but when it comes to salvation glory goes to God alone and not to anyone asking Christ into their heart. After all you did not know of Christ's heavenly gift outside of God's Holy Word, because salvation from Jesus is mentioned know where else.

So any decision was not made by reason but hearing the Word of God. We are totally passive in this great and beautiful exchange.

The First Post From The Large Cathecism

If one party swears falsely he lives under this judgment: he shall not escape  punishment. Even if the judgment is delayed a long time, he shall not succeed . So everything he may gain from his falsehood will slip out of his hands , and he will never enjoy it. I have seen this in the case of many who perjured themselves in thir wedding vows. They have never had a happy hour or a healthful day, and so perished miserably in body and soul and posessions. ( Large Catechism P. 392 section 67-68, Concordia)


 This is from the Concordia Edition of the Book of Concord. Many times the observations of wise man help him to look at his own life and other's to look at theirs. But this saying by Luther takes me back to something my mom told me long ago, " For every lie you tell another one follows". Sure enough not only was Luther right but so is my mom. At least this has been the case when I could have been more truthful . Many lies that I have told in the past have hurt other people and one sin gives birth to many. I even know that when I thought I could find my own righteousness and swore loyalty to it rather than trust in God's Truth (The Scriptures). In otherwords, I wanted it my way and found no rest. In God there is rest although often times I want to be a child that has gone to the cookkie jar and intended to cover up my tracks only to have God find that I went there and by my own sin lied to him that I had done nothing wrong in my actions. I think swearing falsely and misusing God's Name was one of the big things Adam and Eve did wrong when they decided to listen to Satan and then try to hide there sin from God. We are all familiar with this one. It is here though that the wisdom of another can remind us to look to the Christ as our salvation and righteousness for all our sin and falsehood.

 I also see it in our popular culture today as many people who are famous and  not so famous get married for all of the wrong reasons. Then because they lie at the altar because the reason they got married was not to love and cherish in sickness and health but rather for the money or lust. Real good foundation for a union between two people .  I could certainly appeal to the Scriptures more and I prefer to before I read theologians . I hope that others feel the same but sometimes before others get to the Word they have to hear wisdom from another man who has been enlightened by the Messiah and Sheperd of our souls, "Jesus".

ANY Thoughts!