Everything we have comes from God and God wants us to respond with thanksgiving; God wants us to respond with praise; God wants us to respond with good works, and God wants us to respond with inward devotion. We are called to be active members of the body of Christ, but we are also called to be a part of the soul of the body as well.
Micah, the prophet, tells the Israelites that good works without a good heart means nothing to God. God wants the inward sacrifice as well as the outward one. Micah tells us that God wants us to “do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with your God.” [Micah 6:8] Combining those three things as well as living in a giving, and caring way is a recipe for a truly successful life: a life that is pleasing to God.
As Lutherans, we believe that we cannot earn our salvation, that it is a gift of grace freely given to us through the sacrifice of Jesus. However, just because it is ours to claim, doesn’t mean that we shouldn’t respond to this gift by sharing of our time, talent and resources, and nurturing our inner spirituality. It is time well spent.
Gracious God, we are grateful for all of the blessings you’ve given us. Help us to respond with willing and joyful hearts. Amen
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