“If someone sins against a man, God will mediate for him, but if someone sins against the LORD, who can intercede for him?” But they would not listen to the voice of their father, for it was the will of the LORD to put them to death.
1 Samuel 2:25, ESV
We know that there will be those that will be part of God’s elect, but that also means that there will be those whom God will reject. When we boldly sin and rebel against God, we place ourselves at risk. Jesus warns us about blaspheming the Holy Spirit, and early on, God warned the priests of what was acceptable and unacceptable for a priest, which places them at an even higher calling above the rest of God’s chosen. The sons of Eli were brazen in their sin and were not only rejecting God’s calling in their lives but were mocking God without any fear and would not listen to any correction. They had turned their backs on God, and God turned away from them. How many in our world will have similar fates? Those who walk in a high-handed way are caught up in their pride, thinking they are above God. We are called to be careful of falling into this trap and are to humble ourselves as we see the sin in our lives. God will not be mocked. Sadly, there will be those who will not heed any warning and will do as they desire. We are not meant to walk in fear of sin, which is why Luther said that we should “sin boldly.” This was not meaning we should be prideful in our sins, but in the realization that we will inevitably sin, not walk timidly in life and be bold in doing what we believe to be right but ready to ask for forgiveness if we find that we have acted in error. Humility is the realization that we are not perfect and that we will make mistakes. In Christ, we are not perfect, but we are being perfected. That perfection will be revealed in us at the end of time as we enter into the eternal kingdom. Until then, we are here to live and proclaim the faith of Jesus Christ and do all that we can imperfectly to share this faith with all who will hear.
Let us pray. I thank you, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, your dear Son, that you have kept me this night from all harm and danger, and I ask you to protect me this day also from sin and every evil, that in all I do today, I may please you. For into your hands, I commend myself, my body and soul, and all that is mine. Let your holy angel watch over me, that the wicked foe have no power over me. Amen.