A message from the pastor...

October is Reformation month (October 31st). The big teaching of the Lutheran Reformation is that we are justified by faith apart from works. What does it mean to be justified before God? A parable of the Lord helps explain this important doctrine.

In response to a question that Peter asked about forgiveness, Jesus gave the parable about the unmerciful servant. This parable begins by describing a king who was settling accounts with his servants. As he was settling his accounts, a servant was brought before him who owed him ten thousand talents. That is a huge pile of money. Because the servant could not repay this enormous debt, the king order that the servant be sold into slavery along with his wife and children.

The servant fell on his knees. He begged the king to have patience. Filled with compassion, the king released the servant and cancelled his debt. The servant was now free and clear.

This illustrates what it means to be justified. To be justified before God means that the debt of our sins has been blotted out. Because of God’s grace and compassion, we are free and clear. The record against us has been wiped clean.

How could God wipe away the record of our sins? What happened to the debt we owe him? Christ paid it all on our behalf. That is why his innocent, unblemished life was put to death on a cross. As Dr. Luther explains in his Small Catechism (Second Article), we have been purchased “not with gold or silver, but with (Christ’s) holy, precious blood and with His innocent suffering and death.”

The price Christ paid for us was enough. That is why the tomb was empty on that first Easter. As a result, our sins will no longer be counted against us. All is square with our heavenly Father.

That is what happened with the servant in the Lord’s parable. He no longer owed a debt. All was square with king. The servant’s debt wasn’t cancelled because of what he had done. His debt was cancelled freely by the king.

Your debt has also been freely cancelled. You owe nothing. The Lord did it all for you. That is what means to be justified by faith apart from works.

God's peace be with you,
  Pastor Nelson