I have begun reading a small book called “We Believe: Essays on the Catechism” published by Concordia Theological Seminary Press (available from their bookstore at CPHBookstore@ctsfw.edu). This book contains short essays from the seminary’s magazine “For the Life of the World” on topics associated with the catechism.

I read the first essay, “The Incarnational Life” by Rev. Dr. Arthur A. Just Jr., on Saturday evening just before going to bed. The ending left an impression on me, especially since the Divine Service was only a few hours away. Just wrote,

Many people today want to know how to be a Christian. What they are really asking is how to live the incarnational life. The response, “Be like Christ who lives in you!” But they will ask, “What does this mean?” The answer, “Love your enemies, be merciful and compassionate, forgive, and do works of charity.” But they will ask, “How is this done?” The answer, “Come to church and receive the gifts of Christ’s flesh in hearing the Gospel and feasting at His banquet. And then go out into the world and be what you have become in Christ!” This is the incarnational life!

This flies in the face of much pop-Christianity. We are brought into the fold of Christ not by our own actions, but by the gifts Christ gives in Word and Sacrament. The phrase “How to be a Christian” should properly be rephrased as “How Christ makes a Christian.” It it is truly through these gifts that Christ creates and strengthens our faith and sends us forth out into the world to serve our neighbor.

In the Divine Service today I heard these refreshing and timeless words in Luther’s Post-Communion Collect:

We give thanks to You, almighty God,

that You have refreshed us through this salutary gift, and we implore You that of Your mercy You would strengthen us through the same in faith toward You and in fervent love toward one another;

through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.