313. Saturday after Eighth Sunday after Trinity.
God, open our hearts, and open our eyes,
that we may know thee in Christ. Amen.
1 Timothy 6, 13-21. I give thee charge in the sight of God, who quickeneth all things, and before Christ Jesus, who before Pontius Pilate witnessed a good confession; that thou keep this commandment without spot, unrebukeable, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ: which in his times he shall shew, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords; who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honor and power everlasting. Amen. Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy; that they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate; laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life. O Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding profane and vain babblings, and oppositions of science falsely so called; which some professing have erred concerning the faith. Grace be with thee. Amen.
❦
“No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.” There is none other God than the God who has revealed himself in Christ; and there is no revelation of the true God, but in him. It is therefore of the utmost importance that we have the article of faith concerning Christ pure and undefiled. But it is equally important to accept this confession, preserve and keep it, believe it, and willingly obey it. For even if you have the teaching of Christ, and hold it to be true, God cannot reveal himself to your soul, if you do not yield obedience to the truth; but if you in your heart obey the truth, God therein reveals himself to your spirit, and the light of eternity illumines you. Then you learn to know him to whom none can come but through the Son; you then have found the blessed and only Potentate, from whom all life and all power come; nay then you live in him, and he in you. He who does not believe in Christ does not know God; and they who do not know God in Christ dispute about who and what he is, or deny his existence, and declare their independence of every god; and yet they serve their own idol with the most abject servility of heart. They say that they are free; and they do not know that they are the slaves of corruptible things, and sacrifice their all on the altars of their false gods. He, on the other hand, who believes in Christ believes in the true and living God, knows him, has power over all idols, and is able to use all things to the glory of heaven. — Let the faithful show that they know the glorious God of love, and serve him! Let them show that they are the children of the heavenly Father, and are like him! Let the holy faith prove itself in their holy life, and bring forth fruit which is good in the sight of God and man! None but believing Christians can do that which is truly good; but neither can any be a true believer without doing good deeds. Use your belongings for the benefit of your neighbor, become rich in good works, and lay up for yourself a treasure in heaven!
Merciful and everlasting God, help us to believe in thee in Christ, to serve thee, and live our whole life in thee. Make us free from the world, and teach us to make it our servant in the work of reaching heaven. Amen.*
Grant my mind and my affections
Wisdom, counsel, purity,
That I may be ever seeking
Naught but that which pleases thee.
Let thy knowledge spread and grow,
And all error overthrow.
Lead me to green pastures, lead me
By the true and living way;
Shield me from each strong temptation,
That might lead my heart astray;
And if e’er my feet should turn,
For each error let me mourn.
[TLH 226, ELH 438; listen here]
* Here the head of the family says a short morning or evening prayer in his own words, and closes with the Lord’s Prayer and the Benediction. This is to be done every day. If the stanzas are not sung, they may be read in their proper place before the impromptu petition and the Lord’s Prayer.