The Sheep of Christ
Do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.
2 TIMOTHY 4:5
+
The Sheep of Christ
In spiritual sheepherding, that is, in the kingdom of Christ, one should, therefore, preach to the sheep of Christ . . . not the Law of God, much less the ordinances of men, but the Gospel, which the prophet with metaphorical words calls a rod of comfort and a staff of comfort. For through the Gospel, Christ's sheep obtain strength in their faith, rest in their hearts, and comfort in all kinds of anxieties and perils of death. Those who preach this way conduct the office of a spiritual shepherd properly, feed the sheep of Christ in a green pasture, lead them to the fresh water, restore their souls, keep them from being led astray, and comfort them with Christ's rod and staff. Where men hear such preachers, they should believe for certain that they are hearing Christ Himself. They should also acknowledge such preachers as right shepherds, that is, as servants of Christ and stewards of God (1 Corinthians 4:1), and pay no attention at all to the fact that the world proclaims and damns them as heretics and seducers. Those who preach something else than the Gospel . . . are horrible wolves and murderers that do not spare the flock of Christ, but scatter, torture, and slaughter it not only spiritually but also bodily . . ..
From Commentary on Psalm 23 (Luther's Works 12:171)
2 TIMOTHY 4:5
+
The Sheep of Christ
In spiritual sheepherding, that is, in the kingdom of Christ, one should, therefore, preach to the sheep of Christ . . . not the Law of God, much less the ordinances of men, but the Gospel, which the prophet with metaphorical words calls a rod of comfort and a staff of comfort. For through the Gospel, Christ's sheep obtain strength in their faith, rest in their hearts, and comfort in all kinds of anxieties and perils of death. Those who preach this way conduct the office of a spiritual shepherd properly, feed the sheep of Christ in a green pasture, lead them to the fresh water, restore their souls, keep them from being led astray, and comfort them with Christ's rod and staff. Where men hear such preachers, they should believe for certain that they are hearing Christ Himself. They should also acknowledge such preachers as right shepherds, that is, as servants of Christ and stewards of God (1 Corinthians 4:1), and pay no attention at all to the fact that the world proclaims and damns them as heretics and seducers. Those who preach something else than the Gospel . . . are horrible wolves and murderers that do not spare the flock of Christ, but scatter, torture, and slaughter it not only spiritually but also bodily . . ..
From Commentary on Psalm 23 (Luther's Works 12:171)
Posted in Daily Devotions
Recent
Archive
2022
January
In One SpiritHe is ComingA Light for the NationsDepart in PeaceThe BenedictionWise Men SeeTrusting in the EmptinessWilted BlossomsConceiving TroubleWhat Comfort?SolaceWorn OutTorn With WrathLike a WarriorA Pure PrayerHeavenly WitnessA Ready GraveA Pledge for YouA Byword of the PeoplesHold OnNight into DayWhere is My Hope?Into the DustHunting for WordsOur Own FlameCaught in a TrapDeath ConsumesTo Know GodMy ErrorsNo JusticeHe Has Taken the Crown
February
No AnswerForsakenRock BottomRedemption!The Root of the MatterDo You Not Know?Fly AwayBittersweetUpon the RiversConstant CravingsBurning AngerEnduring WitnessesGod’s PortionKeep ListeningThe Rod of GodIs Not Their Prosperity in Their Hand?The Lamp of the WickedEqualizationThe House of the PrinceEmpty NothingsProfitable to GodOutward AppearancesWater Covers YouWhat Does God Know?Foundations Washed AwayConsumed by the FireGold and SilverLife Up Your Face to God
March
He Saves the LowlyBitter ComplaintsOur CaseIn the Greatness of His PowerFaithful EyesUnchangeableNo Fear of the DarknessTimes of JudgementGleaning the VineyardThe Soul of the WoundedRebelling Against the LightMorningBroken TreesBrought Low and Gathered UpPeace in the High HeavensA Dimming MoonEnough!Sheol and AbaddonThe Boundary Between Light and DarknessFleeing SerpentMy Bitter SoulAltogether VainDust and SilverReaping the WhirlwindAn End to DarknessThe Hidden ThingsTrue WisdomThe Place of UnderstandingBehold, the Fear of the LordDays Gone ByTo Be Called Blessed