Lutherans turn to the cross and grace

Rev. Rory M. Hermann Good Shepherd Lutheran Church

This is my eighth "Ministry Moment" I have written and I want to thank the Gulf Breeze News for allowing me this opportunity. It has been good discipline.

After seven months some readers may wonder, "What in the world is a Lutheran? Are you some kind of ancient cult?" We Lutherans may have a peculiar name but we hold three crucial tenets that place us right in the middle of the Christian Church. We uphold "grace alone, faith alone, Scripture alone." We believe that we are all born sinners and cannot save ourselves. God graciously (freely without any merit on our part) gives us the riches of Christ through faith as this is revealed to us in the Bible alone. We cannot learn these things from studying nature, discussing philosophy or relying upon tradition.

Lutherans constantly return to the cross where Christ died to reconcile us to God the Father. He took our burden upon himself and gives us his righteousness in its place. We believe salvation comes from God alone. We cannot aid God's work, make it more complete or add to it in any manner. Bookstores may be filled with self-help programs: 10 ways to better living, getting right with God, and so forth. However, we believe that no matter how good a program may be, we are bound to fail if left to ourselves. We must continually return to the cross for strength, inspiration, and forgiveness. Any program that expects us to perfect ourselves by 10 steps, 10 habits, 10 words or 10 "whatevers" will not succeed unless we return to the One who gives us new birth by "water and the Spirit." God the Father is only too pleased to help, along with God the Son and God the Holy Spirit.

Have a wonderful Christmas!