Collection › LCMS Convention Proceedings (St. Louis, Missouri) › 1959 · 44th Convention, San Francisco › Page 39
LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 1959, Page 39

Scan: The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod
Transcription machine transcription, uncorrected

DOCTRINAL ESSAY 39

But this consecrated life here on earth is for Christians only
the prelude to that life in eternity where they will join the great
hosts of prophets, apostles, martyrs, and saints and sing eternal
hallelujahs to the Lamb that was slain and has redeemed man-
kind by His blood, and to Him who sits upon the throne.

IV. The Communication of Divine Doctrine

When we are born of God through the washing of Holy
Baptism and thus become His children, we enjoy all the blessings
and privileges which Jesus gained for us. We have forgiveness,
life, and salvation. We have confidence to enter into the heavenly
sanctuary by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way which
He opened for us through His flesh. Whatever we ask the Father
in Jesus’ name, He will grant us. If we sin, we have an Advocate
with the Father, Jesus Christ, the Righteous. If our heart con-
demns us, God is greater than our heart. Though we are now the
children of God, it does not yet appear what we shall be. But we
know that when He appears, we shall be like Him; we shall see
Him as He is. And when He returns in glory, He will raise our
lowly and corruptible bodies to be like His glorious body. We
shall then throughout eternity partake of the heavenly manna and
drink of the fountain of living water forevermore.

Nevertheless, as children of God we enjoy not only great and
wonderful blessings, but we also assume great responsibilities.
Throughout our life it must be our aim to glorify, to praise, and
to thank God, the Giver of all good gifts. Here we are to follow
the example of Jesus Himself, who consistently glorified His heav-
enly Father in His prayers and His actions. Paul directs us:
“Glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s”
(1 Cor. 6:20). Having reminded his readers how they were to use
God’s gifts, Peter closes on the note: “That God in all things may
be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion
forever and ever, Amen” (1 Peter 4:11). But we are to glorify
God also in the interest of our fellow men. Peter tells us: “Main-
tain good conduct among the Gentiles so that, in case they speak
against you as wrongdoers, they may see your good deeds and
glorify God on the day of visitation.” (1 Peter 2:12 RSV)

Furthermore, we are to testify to, to witness to, to confess and
not to deny, the Gospel and the Lord Jesus Christ. We are to be
able at all times wholeheartedly to say with Paul: “I am not
ashamed of the Gospel of Christ; for it is the power of God unto
salvation to everyone that believeth” (Rom. 1:16). This same Paul
appeals to Timothy: “Be not ashamed then of testifying to our
Lord” (2 Tim. 1:8). The Lord Jesus Himself commends the church
in Pergamos: “Thou holdest fast My name and hast not denied