Shepherd of the Springs
Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod

December 9, 2009 -- Second Midweek Vespers in Advent -- Service Guide

Text: Romans 12: 14-21

Theme: The Struggle for Peace with Your Neighbor

Bless those who persecute you, bless and do not curse them . . . . Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. (Vss. 14, 21)

This evening we continue our midweek Advent preparations for the birth of Christ and the reception of the peace of God that He will accomplish and bring to us in the saving work and gifts that the Father has given to Him. Preparation during both Advent and the Lenten seasons is always an introspective task centering on those areas of our lives that need to be confronted and given over to our gracious God to make us both ready and hungry to receive the Christ and His saving work. Last week we turned our attention to the struggle that sin has caused which can make us alienated and at war with ourselves. The paradox presented is that proper preparation did not involved removing that struggle, but rather being prepared and hungry to receive the Peace of God in Christ Jesus who comes to cover our sins and sinful nature with his righteousness and then to promise we will be rid of that old sinful self when we enter into glory.

Our struggle for peace with the neighbor, the focus of this evening’s reflection and preparation is quite different, however. Here Paul’s advice presents us with a different formula for dealing with the conflicts and evil we suffer at the hands of others. Whereas battling the sinful self within is the formula of what we are to do while taking comfort from the Peace of God in Christ Jesus which covers our sins with His righteousness and forgiveness, no such battles are to be engaged with your neighbor when you have been sinned against. Here the Peace of God is to have a different application, both as it may come to us . . . and as it may come through us to those who do us wrong. Let’s explore this some.

We live out our life in Christ here on earth in the midst of a world that is fallen and depraved. Those around us have a sickness unto death from the sinfulness that fills their lives. Yes, this is also true of those who are loved ones and members of our families as much as those who are merely associates or strangers. As you live with those who really matter to you and those who don’t so much . . . you can be hurt terribly by loveless and careless behaviors and words that really can injury and cause incredible heartaches, YES? You can be betrayed by those you love; those who are your friends can be disloyal and throw you under the bus when convenient for their own personal gain; associates and even strangers can brutalize you in so many ways as they impact you where you live work and play. And they have, haven’t they? And you walk with the wounds from these who have sinned against you . . . and they rob you not only of a sense of well-being, but they rob you of the peace in your life that you long for. The question, however, is what should you do about them, and secondly, what should you do about yourself when you are the victim of the loveless behaviors of others. And thirdly, where is the God of peace in all this? Says St. Paul in our text: Bless those who persecute you, bless and do not curse them (vs 14). And what is the blessing you need to apply to them? You need to bring them forgiveness. The grace that you live by with your God is the grace that needs to rule how you respond to those who do you wrong. You do not get even, you do not get back at them, you get out from under the hurt, anger, and outrage you have experienced in reaction to their ill treatment of you by forgiving them, by covering what they have done with grace. The very same Peace of God that brings you peace with your Creator is intended to also bring you peace and healing, not just from you sins, but also from the sins that are committed against you.

How does this work? The Lord has advised you not to let the sun go down on the righteous anger that you very properly have in reaction to those who do you wrong according to what the Law of God requires of them. You rightly judge others who transgress the dignity of your person on the basis of the Law written on your heart and it elicits hurt and anger. But, both of these, your hurt and your anger, destroy the peace that God wants you to have, not just with Himself, but with your sinful neighbors as well. When you hold on to your hurt and anger toward those who do you wrong, it turns into bitterness and resentment and these corrode faith and love in your heart, destroying the peace of God and peace with yourself within. But when you forgive, and do good toward those who wrong you . . . the hurt heals and the anger dissipates restoring a life of joy in the faith and Peace of Christ.

But does your wrongdoing neighbor or loved-one deserve your forgiveness and love? The answer is, yes they do. All of their sins have been paid for by the crucified Christ, just like yours. They are beloved of God, just as you are. God’s grace is just as much for them as it is for you. They have been reconciled by God, just as you have been. And they are those whom Christ has given to you to love in just the same way that He has loved you . . . As St. Paul has declared, while WE were enemies, Christ died for us. Your forgiveness to your neighbor lets His Peace that has come to you extend also between you and your neighbor. . . and when it does, it benefits you in both cases. You have peace with God, and you have healing for your hurts and anger which you have generated in response to those who have sinned against you. And there are further benefits that may extend the peace of God further . . . When you forgive and do good toward those who do you wrong, you may gain a friend from one who has been your enemy and you may regain a good relationship with a loved-one from whom you have become estranged and alienated.

So as God in Christ has said to you . . .and sends to you in the coming of the Christ child - PEACE! Pass it on to those who do you wrong. You get what you give - PEACE!

In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. A-men.