Pastor Tom,

again you underscore the sometimes violent debate going on in the world today. It just seems to be getting worse!

You said:::>[[Faith therefore is the means by which we receive the benefits of the cross and the resurrection. This indeed is a mystery in light of the fact that there is no analogy anyone has thought of as a comparison which demonstrates how a person's trust in a promise changes his status. For some reason, unknown to us except for His grace, God declares that anyone who trusts in the promises of Jesus Christ connected to His death and resurrection are now forgiven, sinless and a saint.]]

Yes, there simply is no analogy that can be proffered.

The best we can do is argue like this. There is a story that came over the police chat line that I saw one day, about an incident in the greater Los Angeles area.

What happened?

A 14 year old boy was arrested for beating up violently the store clerk.

Why?

The young man was arguing in total disbelief a fact the store clerk was telling him about where milk came from.

The boy was sent to buy some milk for breakfast and the clerk started a conversation with the young man about where milk came from.

The boy was blind. No one taught him where milk came from. He only knew that when he came to the store with money he could leave with milk in a carton after legalling paying for it. He didn’t know you milk cows and there is a process whereby milk finally ends up on the breakfast table.

I am like that boy most of the time reading your teachings. I don’t physically get angry with you but I have to admit sometimes I do get angry with you kinda like the time you said on your radio broadcast one day that Jesus was the greatest sinner to ever die.

I remember a woman called in and was verbally angry with you for asserting that!

My flesh needs to die daily. The proper distinctions of the Law and Gospel sometimes doesn’t help me die daily. Sometimes I just have to get angry and suffer the consequences of being foolish and ignorant!

But, as you say, now, even still, I am learning to sleep well at night, restful sleep.

He did it all. I am not asked to do anything. It’s finished. It’s done already.

All I have to do is drink the milk!
Someone else provided the money. Someone else sends us.
It is nothing we have done. It is finished. He did it!

Here’s how Isaiah speaks about it:

Isa 55:1 “Come, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and he who has no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.
Isa 55:2 Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread, and your labor for that which does not satisfy? Listen diligently to me, and eat what is good, and delight yourselves in rich food.
Isa 55:3 Incline your ear, and come to me; hear, that your soul may live; and I will make with you an everlasting covenant, my steadfast, sure love for David.

michael
Eureka, Ca.