From the Pastor
The Water of Rebirth
Through many dangers, toils, and snares, I have already come; ‘tis grace has brought
me safe thus far, and grace will lead me home.
May it be that we begin and end each day reminding ourselves that it is God’s grace
that sustains us, and it is God’s grace that will finally “lead us home.” We will live our
whole lives and still not completely fathom the full nature of the grace of God. But let
us attempt each and every day to get a glimpse of it, and then share what we can of
that glimpse with all we encounter throughout the day. For this world is a challenging
place even on the best of days, and sometimes downright overwhelming. So meditate
upon the words of Martin Luther printed below from, “Day by Day We Magnify You,”
and let the grace of God wash over you once more, and then go live the day.
He saved us, according to his mercy through the water
Of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit.
(Titus 3:5)
He calls the washing a rebirth, a renewing in the Holy Spirit, in order that the greatness and the might of grace may be perfectly expressed. So great is this thing that no
creature can do it, but the Holy Spirit alone. Indeed, how you, St. Paul, do spurn the
free will, the good works and the great merits of the proud saints! How high you place
our blessedness, and yet you bring it so near to us, even within us! How purely and
clearly you preach grace! Therefore, however you may work to renew us and change
us, it is only possible through the water of rebirth, through the Holy Spirit.
This is truly preaching freely and fully of the grace of God. No patching with
works avails, only the complete changing of the nature. Those who truly believe must
endure much affliction and must die in order that grace may demonstrate its nature
and its presence.
God’s grace is a great, strong, mighty, and active thing. It upholds, leads, drives,
draws, changes, and works all things in a person and is really felt and experienced. It
remains hidden, but its works are manifest. Works and words point to where it is, just
as the fruit and the leaves show the kind and nature of the tree.
(John Newton, 1725-1807)
God's Grace and Peace to you,
Pastor Ellingson