New Life

Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.
Eph 4:29–32
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New Life
We are conceived and born in sin, enemies of God forever lost. That is until we are given a new life. Through the Means of Grace, this new life comes to us. Paul describes the new life that results from the Gospel. Yet, the Law also continues to apply because of our sinful nature. As Luther explains the Ten Commandments in the Catechism, the Law both forbids sinful behavior, the “you shall not,” and urges good works, the “you shall.” As we inevitably fail to live up to such demands, forgiveness preserves and restores the harmony of the Church. May our Father forgive us our sins, that we may forgive those who sin against us. And may He keep us in this new life until He calls us out of this valley of sorrows to be with Him forever.