"Faith is a living, daring confidence in God's grace, so sure and certain that believers would stake their life on it one thousand times. This knowledge of and confidence in God's grace makes people glad and bold and happy in dealing with God and with all creatures. And this is the work which the Holy Spirit performs in faith. Because of it, without compulsion, people are ready and glad to do good to everyone, to serve everyone, to suffer everything, out of love and praise to God who has shown them this grace" (Luther's Works, American edition, vol. 35, pages 370-371).
Faith is alive! When we understand our faith as active – vibrant and dynamic – we can change the world. Sometimes I think people use the fear of “works righteousness” as an excuse for keeping faith as a personal and private expression. While our works won’t get any special favor with God, works are a natural expression of our faith! How can we help but fully live out our faith?
Faith is daring! It is daring to offer the love of Christ to all – and I mean all! No matter your race, creed, sex, sexuality or physical or mental ability – we love with the love of the Lord! It is daring to stand up for justice and peace in a world bent upon destruction and violence. It is daring to live a generous life – denying the scarcity mentality of a large part of the world. We dare because we know we are not alone. God walks with us in all our bold acts. How can we help but be daring?
Faith is confident! No we don’t have to be confident in our prayers, or our works, or even our daring lives. We are confident in God. We are confident in God’s presence, acceptance, urgings, and most especially love. How can we help but be confident?
Join us this fall as our new beginnings encounter a “Living, Daring, Confidence!”
