Giving Ourselves
Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
EPHESIAN S 5:1-2
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Giving Ourselves
This fruit is that, just as we have eaten and drunk the Lord Christ's body and blood, we in turn let ourselves be eaten and drunk, and also speak to our neighbor the words: "Take, eat and drink." This is not a mockery, but entirely serious: that you give yourself with all your life, just as Christ has done for you in these words, with all that He is. It is as if He would say: "I Myself am here given for you. I present you with this treasure. What I have, you also shall have. When you are in want, I also will be in want. Here you have My righteousness, life, and salvation, so that neither sin nor death, neither hell nor any distress will overcome you. As long as I am righteous and alive, you also will remain godly and alive." He speaks these words to us. We must also lay hold of them and speak them to our neighbors, not only with our mouths but also with our deeds; in this way: "Look, my dear brother, I have received my Lord. He is mine, and I now have enough of all fullness and to spare. So take what I have, and everything will be yours; I put it at your disposal. If it is necessary that I die for you, I will also do it." This goal is placed before us in this Sacrament, so that this proof [of love] toward our neighbor may appear in us.
From Sermon on Confession and the Sacrament (Luther's Works 76:444-45)
EPHESIAN S 5:1-2
+
Giving Ourselves
This fruit is that, just as we have eaten and drunk the Lord Christ's body and blood, we in turn let ourselves be eaten and drunk, and also speak to our neighbor the words: "Take, eat and drink." This is not a mockery, but entirely serious: that you give yourself with all your life, just as Christ has done for you in these words, with all that He is. It is as if He would say: "I Myself am here given for you. I present you with this treasure. What I have, you also shall have. When you are in want, I also will be in want. Here you have My righteousness, life, and salvation, so that neither sin nor death, neither hell nor any distress will overcome you. As long as I am righteous and alive, you also will remain godly and alive." He speaks these words to us. We must also lay hold of them and speak them to our neighbors, not only with our mouths but also with our deeds; in this way: "Look, my dear brother, I have received my Lord. He is mine, and I now have enough of all fullness and to spare. So take what I have, and everything will be yours; I put it at your disposal. If it is necessary that I die for you, I will also do it." This goal is placed before us in this Sacrament, so that this proof [of love] toward our neighbor may appear in us.
From Sermon on Confession and the Sacrament (Luther's Works 76:444-45)
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