Thursday, April 11, 2024

From Tom Fisher - The word 'covenant' is Calvinist. It gives nothing.
It bequeaths nothing.

 




Dear Pastor Jackson,

A little while ago I was having a discussion with a LCMS pastor about the Words Christ spoke to institute the Lord's Supper the night He was betrayed. I thanked him for faithfully instituting Holy Communion according to the pure Words of Christ in the King James Bible which holds onto that little Word "testament" instead of the word "covenant" used by the corrupt modern Bibles (ESV, NKJV, NIV, NASB, RSV, Beck's, etc) He said, "It doesn't matter. What's the difference? As a matter of fact I prefer the word 'covenant', but if I said 'covenant' I would have a lot of explaining to do, so I stick with the words of institution in the hymnal and say 'testament'". 

I told him that the little word 'testament' was precious to me and is the opposite of the word 'covenant'. The word 'covenant' is Calvinist. It gives nothing. It bequeaths nothing. In contrast the word 'testament' brings to mind children inheriting their parent's estate. Holy Communion is Christ's Last Will and Testament bequeathing to me forgiveness of all sins and eternal life. Luther said:

"So in this matter you must above all else take heed to your heart that you believe the words of Christ and admit their truth when he says to you and to all, 'This is my blood, a new testament, by which I bequeath to you forgiveness of all sins and eternal life." (Martin Luther, LW, Vol. 35, pg. 88)

Luther went on to say:

"That little word 'testament' is a short summary of all God's wonder and grace fulfilled for us in Christ." (Martin Luther, LW, Vol. 35, pg. 84)

Martin Chemnitz, the Second Luther, has a stern warning for all you LCMS Pastors who are not afraid to change Christ's Last Will and Testament into a Calvinist covenant that bequeaths nothing:

"For since Christ instituted His supper in the form of a testament, it is also not allowed at another time to distort even a man's covenant, if it is confirmed, by adding or subtracting. How much greater sin it is therefore, to change or mutilate the testament of the Son of God." (Martin Chemnitz, Ministry, Word, and Sacrament, CPH, 1981, pg. 122)

Christ is our true Testator saying "to you and to all, 'This is my blood, a new testament, by which I bequeath to you forgiveness of all sins and eternal life." (Martin Luther, LW, Vol. 35, pg. 88)

Luther said the Bible must be understood as a harmonious whole. Taking this to heart we go to Hebrews 9:15-17:

"And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance. For where a testament is, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator. For a testament is of force after men are dead: otherwise it is of no strength at all while the Testator liveth." Hebrews 9:15-17

Do you see the sharp difference between an empty Calvinist covenant and Christ's Last Will and Testament bequeathing to us forgiveness of all sins and eternal life? Are you beginning to see the sharp difference between Christ our Calvinist Covenantor giving us nothing and Christ our true Testator bequeathing to us forgiveness of all sins and eternal life?

Words form pictures and images in our minds.  The word "covenant" never brings an endearing picture of children inheriting their parent's farm or family business. For me the word "covenant" brings to mind a picture of a harsh, gaunt, emaciated, self-righteous, and stubborn Calvinist working his way to heaven, consistently rejecting forgiveness of sins and eternal life in the Office of The Keys, Holy Baptism, and the Lord's Supper, and the gospel.

Christ died for our sins, dead, buried in a sepulchre, and risen from the dead, ascended into heaven, and seated at the right hand of God for us. Christ has swallowed and destroyed our death, and our hell in a victory for us.

"I will ransom them from the power of the grave; I will redeem them from death: O death, I will be thy plagues; O grave, I will be thy destruction: repentance shall be hid from mine eyes." Hosea 13:14

"Therefore prophesy and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord God; Behold, O my people, I will open your graves, and cause you to come up out of your graves, and bring you into the land of Israel. And ye shall know that I am the LORD, when I have opened your graves, O my people, and brought you up out of your graves, and shall put my spirit in you, and ye shall live, and I shall place you in your own land: then shall ye know that I the LORD have spoken it, and performed it, saith the LORD." Ezekiel 37:12-14

37 All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.

38 For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me.

39 And this is the Father's will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day.

40 And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day. John 6:37-40 

Christ is risen from the dead and ascended to God the Father to make His Father our Heavenly Father and to make His God our true God.

"I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God and your God." John 20:17

Christ is risen from the dead to destroy our death, and our hell and will raise us up from the dead on the last day. Christ comes to us today. He stands in our midst and speaks to us:

"Why are ye troubled? and why do thoughts arise in your hearts? Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have." Luke 24:38,39

Christ is true God begotten of His Father from all eternity, and also true man born of the virgin Mary. Christ is God and man in one person. He is with us the same as He was with the apostles after His resurrection. He is with us in Holy Communion bequeathing to us forgiveness of all sins and eternal life as our true Testator. Christ gives us His true body in with and under the bread. Christ gives us His true blood shed for us in with and under the wine. Luther said that he was absolutely certain that Christ gives us His natural physical body in, with, and under the bread. What else other than Christ's true body and blood is able to save us from our sins and give us eternal life?

We must grasp Christ's words in Holy Communion by faith and reject our reasoning and unbelief. 

Here stands the exact words of Christ's Last Will and Testament for us sinners. They cannot be doubted or changed. Christ's Words here in Holy Communion shall never pass away.

" Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away." Luke 21:33

Hold onto these pure eternal words of Christ by faith.

13  And they went, and found as he had said unto them: and they made ready the passover.

14 And when the hour was come, he sat down, and the twelve apostles with him.

15 And he said unto them, With desire I have desired to eat this passover with you before I suffer:

16 For I say unto you, I will not any more eat thereof, until it be fulfilled in the kingdom of God.

17 And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and said, Take this, and divide it among yourselves:

18 For I say unto you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine, until the kingdom of God shall come.

19 And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me.

20 Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you.

Smug, arrogant, clumsy, unbelieving LCMS pastors, professors, and laymen imagine that they can change the words of Christ's Last Will and Testament in the King James Bible, Luther's 1545 Bible, and the Greek TEXTUS RECEPTUS.  They especially forcefully press to delete the word "testament" in favor of the word " covenant" in Christ's Last Will and Testament. Like wild swine they rush past the Words of God and proudly hold their heads high in a final and decisive victory as they gleefully squeal over and over: "We do not have the original autographs, therefore we can never be 100% certain of the text of God's Word." They purposely ignore Christ's Words in their hardened unbelief.

"Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away." Luke 21:33

Which Words is Christ referring to here? Christ is referring to all the Words God inspired the prophets and apostles to write thousands of years ago. God perfectly preserved the Words He inspired the prophets and apostles to write in the Greek TEXTUS RECEPTUS, Luther's 1545  Bible, and the King James  Bible. These are the Bibles God chose to attach Himself to at the beginning of the reformation and continues to attach Himself to for our modern day reformation. The gavel of God's decisive and final judgement against the corrupt and fraudulent Vaticanus / Sinaticus family of Bibles slammed down at the beginning of the reformation: God rejected the corrupt Vaticanus (Nestle-Aland, ESV, NIV, RSV, NKJV, NASB, Beck's Bible, etc.) and chose the TEXTUS RECEPTUS (Luther's 1545  Bible, King James Bible).

"The words of the LORD are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times. Thou shalt keep them O LORD, thou shalt preserve them from this generation for ever." Psalm 12:6,7

Which Words is God referring to here in Psalm 12? God is referring to the Words He inspired the prophets and apostles to write thousands of years ago. These are the Words God preserves for us in the Greek TEXTUS RECEPTUS, the Hebrew Ben Chayyim Masoretic Text, Luther's 1545 Bible, and King James Bible.

23 Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.

24 For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away:

25 But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you." 1 Peter 1:23-25

Which Word of the Lord is referred to here in 1 Peter 1:23-25?  Yes, this passage refers to all the words God inspired the prophets and apostles to write. These are the Words of the Lord that endure among us Christians for ever and ever in the TEXTUS RECEPTUS, Luther's 1545 Bible, and the King James Bible. It is true we do not have the original autographs, but God has perfectly preserved all of His Words from the original autographs in the Greek TEXTUS RECEPTUS, Luther's 1545 Bible, and the King James Bible. Are you beginning to see the sharp difference between faith that believes God's Word and unbelief that squeal's, "We do not have the original autographs; therefore we cannot be certain of God's Words in any text or Bible "

The voice said, Cry. And he said, What shall I cry? All flesh is grass, and all the goodliness thereof is as the flower of the field:

The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: because the spirit of the Lord bloweth upon it: surely the people is grass.

The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand for ever. Isaiah 40:6-8

Are you beginning to see and experience the perfect harmony of God's pure Words in the King James Bible? You cannot and will not experience the harmonious certainty of God's Word in the corrupt and fraudulent Vaticanus / Sinaticus family of Bibles(Nestle-Aland Greek, United Bible Society Greek, Hebrew Dead Sea Scrolls, ESV, NIV, NKJV, RSV, Beck's Bible, NASB, etc.). 

"For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven. Thy faithfulness is unto all generations: thou hast established the earth, and it abideth. Psalm 119:89,90

"I will worship toward thy holy temple, and praise thy name for thy lovingkindness and for thy truth: for thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name." Psalm 138:2

"O praise the LORD, all ye nations: praise him, all ye people. For his merciful kindness is great toward us: and the truth of the LORD endureth for ever." Psalm 117:1,2

Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all ye lands.

Serve the Lord with gladness: come before his presence with singing.

Know ye that the Lord he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.

Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.

For the Lord is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations. Psalm 100

Are you beginning to see the sharp difference between faith that trusts God's Word and unbelief that squeals, "We do not have the original autographs; therefore we do not have any of God's Word with any certainty."

"So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God. But I say, Have they not heard? Yes, verily, their sound went into all the earth, and their words unto the ends of the world." Romans 10:17,18

Note the harmonious certainty of God's Word in the King James Bible. St. Paul is quoting Psalm 19 here.

"The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament showeth his handiwork. Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night showeth knowledge. There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard. Their line is gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world." Psalm 19:1-4

Notice how faith holds to these Words of God and believes them. In contrast, unbelief squeals, "God's Word is only certain in the original autographs. It can't be certain in other languages."  

"And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people, saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of the waters." Rev. 14:6,7

The everlasting gospel are the Words God inspired the prophets and apostles to write. Notice the everlasting gospel is preached in all languages, even to every nation, and every tongue. The Words God inspired the prophets and apostles to write are preserved by God in the precise translations of His Words from the Greek TEXTUS RECEPTUS and Hebrew Ben Chayyim Masoretic Text: Luther's 1545 German Bible, King James Bible, and many others. 

The darkness of unbelief and reasoning squeals in protest saying, "We don't have the original autographs. All copies of the original autographs including the Hebrew Ben Chayyim Masoretic Text and Greek TEXTUS RECEPTUS contain at least some errors and omissions. We do not have the exact words God inspired the prophets and apostles to write in the Hebrew Ben Chayyim Masoretic Text and the Greek TEXTUS RECEPTUS therefore we do not have God's Word in Luther's 1545 German Bible, and the King James Bible. All Bibles contain at least some errors and omissions. God did not preserve the exact words from the original autographs. God preserved the thoughts and concepts but not His exact Words. God could not and did not keep errors and omissions from corrupting the Words He inspired the prophets and apostles to write. My name is reasoning and unbelief. I am not afraid to speak a word against God the Holy Ghost. God the Holy Ghost did not and cannot guide us into all truth. He allowed errors to corrupt all Bibles and texts. God the Holy Ghost allowed God's Word to be lost to corruption, doubt, and uncertainty. My name is reasoning and unbelief. 

Sound familiar. I have heard this mantra of vile reasoning and hardened unbelief my whole life. It seems everyone believes it instead of the Words of God.

"Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away." John 21:33

"The words of the LORD are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times. Thou shalt keep them, O LORD, thou shalt preserve them from this generation for ever." Psalm 12:6,7

"The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand for ever." Isaiah 40:8


"Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the Word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever. For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away: but the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you." 1 Peter 1:23-25

Pastor Gregory Jackson, PhD said, " Yale's Nils Dahl asked his doctoral seminar what they knew for certain about the New Testament. We were all stymied. He said, "The text! The text! We have the text! That is how he moved away from 19th century apostate theories." (The King James Version: Apostolic Texts, Precise Translation verses Fraudulent Texts and Heretical Translations; Gregory L. Jackson, PhD ; pg. 189, fig. 18; ISBN 9798429093451

13 But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.

14 But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them;

15 And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.

16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

17 That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works. 2 Timothy 3:13-17

God has perfectly preserved His Words from the original autographs in the Hebrew Ben Chayyim Masoretic Text, Greek TEXTUS RECEPTUS, Luther's 1545 German Bible, and the King James Bible. These pure Words of God continue to bring forth fruit.

For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord.

For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.

10 For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater:

11 So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it. Isaiah 55:8-11

God's Words went forth out of His mouth into the original autographs thousands of years ago. God has perfectly preserved these Words for us in the King James Bible. He attached Himself to them at the beginning of the reformation and continues to attach Himself to them for the reformation of the world today. I have ways believed this!! You should too!!

The darkness of unbelief is past. So believe God's Words!!

"Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away." Luke 21:33

"The words of the LORD are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth purified seven times. Thou shalt keep them, O LORD, thou shalt preserve them from this generation for ever." Psalm 12:6,7

In Christ,

Tom Fisher 



Create in Me a Clean Heart

Reformation Seminary Lecture Today - Justification by Faith -
The Chief Article of Christianity

 


1. Justification by Faith is clearly taught in Genesis 15:6. Abraham believed the the Promises of God, and that was counted as righteousness, the same words used by Paul in Romans 4. 

KJV Genesis 15:6 - 5 And he brought him forth abroad, and said, Look now toward heaven, and tell the stars, if thou be able to number them: and he said unto him, So shall thy seed be. 6 And he believed in the Lord; and he counted it to him for righteousness.

2. Roman Catholicism teaches faith plus works. They also teach grace is perfected by love (works).

3. The Old Testament is filled with Promises about the Savior, so those who believed were also counted as righteous.

4. Abraham throughout the New Testament is the Father of Faith, and Romans 4 is very concise about what this means.

Romans 4 - The Example of Abraham's Faith, Note John 8

KJV Romans 4:1 What shall we say then that Abraham our father, as pertaining to the flesh, hath found?2 For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God. 3 For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted [imputed] unto him for righteousness.

4 Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. 5 But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted [imputed] for righteousness.

6 Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works, 7 Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered. 8 Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin.

9 Cometh this blessedness then upon the circumcision only, or upon the uncircumcision also? for we say that faith was reckoned to Abraham for righteousness. 10 How was it then reckoned? when he was in circumcision, or in uncircumcision? Not in circumcision, but in uncircumcision. 11 And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had yet being uncircumcised: that he might be the father of all them that believe, though they be not circumcised; that righteousness might be imputed unto them also: 12 And the father of circumcision to them who are not of the circumcision only, but who also walk in the steps of that faith of our father Abraham, which he had being yet uncircumcised.

13 For the promise, that he should be the heir of the world, was not to Abraham, or to his seed, through the law, but through the righteousness of faith.


14 For if they which are of the law be heirs, faith is made void, and the promise made of none effect: 15 Because the law worketh wrath: for where no law is, there is no transgression. 16 Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace; to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed; not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham; who is the father of us all, 17 (As it is written, I have made thee a father of many nations,) before him whom he believed, even God, who quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things which be not as though they were. 18 Who against hope believed in hope, that he might become the father of many nations, according to that which was spoken, So shall thy seed be. 19 And being not weak in faith, he considered not his own body now dead, when he was about an hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of Sarah's womb:

20 He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; 21 And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform. 22 And therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness.


23 Now it was not written for his sake alone, that it was imputed to him; 24 But for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead; 25 Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.

Very Important Transition 

5 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:

2 By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.




Reformation Seminary Lecture - 11 AM Central - Justification by Faith -
The Chief Article of Christianity

 



The next Reformation Seminary lecture is today at 11 AM - Justification by Faith.

New Testament Greek lessons will start, God willing, next week. That will be in addition to the two lectures per week scheduled (Tuesday and Thursday at 11 AM). 

I have 21 years of teaching online education, three different schools - and earning a master's degree in adult education as well. I expect to have a regular place for Greek,  on a weekly basis, but the scheduled times may move around. 

Thinking out loud, I  may put Greek lessons on another YouTube channel.



ELCA Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton's Easter 2024 Message -
Calls Mark 16:8 "the original ending."

 

"The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) is one of the largest Christian denominations in the United States, with nearly 3.5 million members in more than 9,100 worshiping communities across the 50 states and in the Caribbean region. Known as the church of "God's work. Our hands," the ELCA emphasizes the saving grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ, unity among Christians and service in the world. The ELCA's roots are in the writings of the German church reformer Martin Luther."

Text of Elizabeth Eaton's Easter Message

Roman Catholics Are the Canary in the Coal Mine - What To Do? - Do Not Follow Them!

 

Oh! How ELCA lusts to be more like Rome!


A reader responded to the downhill Roman Catholic numbers -

Catholic Faith: The End of the Italian Privilege

In figures, we go from 37.3% of the population attending Sunday Mass in 1993 to 23.7% in 2019—bearing in mind that declared attendance is always higher than actual attendance, which means that the actual figures are even lower. 

Some Italian areas are lower than 10%!

The Only Cure

  1. Removing the navel-gazing ads for the synod, during and after the worship service. 
  2. No longer offering snacks and beverages during the service.
  3. No longer singing from the latest junk hymnal and reading from the latest junk Bible.
  4. Identifying and extirpating the Church Growth Movement in all its disguises, assaults, books, and scripts.
  5. Requiring the Augsburg Confession for all pastors, staff, and elders.
  6. Emphasizing the Means of Grace.
  7. Teaching faith in Jesus Christ the Son of God.




Daily Luther Sermon Quote - Second Sunday after Easter. "Therefore, even though we are weak and sick, we must not despair and say we are not in the kingdom of Christ. But the more we realize our sickness, all the more should we turn to him; for that is what he is here for, to heal and make us whole."

 



11. Here you see that Christ’s kingdom is to be concerned about the weak, the sick, the broken, that he may help them. That is, indeed, a comforting declaration. The only trouble is that we do not realize our needs and infirmities. If we realized them, we would soon flee to him. But how did those shepherds act? They ruled with rigor, and applied God’s Law with great severity; and, moreover, they added their own commandments, as they still do, and when these were not fulfilled, they raved and condemned, so that they were driving and driving and exhorting and exacting, continually. That is no proper way to tend and keep souls, says Christ. He is no such shepherd as that; for no one is benefited, but is rather wholly undone, by such a course, as we shall presently hear. Now let us consider this citation from the prophet in its order.

12. First, he says: The sheep that are weak are to be strengthened; that is, consciences weak in faith and troubled in spirit and of tender disposition are not to be driven and told: You must do this. You must be strong. If you are weak, you are lost. That is not strengthening the weak. St. Paul, speaking to the Romans (Romans 14:1) says: “But him that is weak in faith receive ye, yet not for decision of scruples.” And shortly afterwards (Romans 15:1) he says: “Now we that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak.” Accordingly, they should not be driven with rigor, but should be comforted, even though they are weak, lest they be driven to despair; and in time they will grow stronger.

13. Isaiah, the prophet, speaks of Christ likewise (Isaiah 42:3): “A bruised reed will he not break, and a dimly burning wick will he not quench.” The bruised reeds are poor, tender consciences, which are easily distracted so that they tremble and despair of God. He does not fly at them then, and trample them under foot; that is not his way. But he deals with them gently, lest he break them to pieces. Again, the dimly burning wick, which still burns at least, though there be more smoke than fire there, he does not wholly quench, but lights, and again and again trims it. That is a great consolation, indeed, to such as experience it; and, therefore, he who does not deal gently with tender consciences is no good shepherd.

14. Secondly, the prophet says: “Neither have ye healed the sick.” Who are the sick? They are those who are manifestly deficient in certain of their works. The first clause has reference to tender consciences; the second, to outward conduct. As, for instance, when one growls and sulks, and now and then lapses, and in anger and other foolish ways oversteps the bounds; even as the apostles, at times, grievously stumbled. But even those who in their outward works before men manifest their shortcomings, so that people are offended at them and say that they are rude and peculiar, he will not cast away; for his kingdom here below is not so constituted as to embrace only the strong and the whole, as it will be in the life to come. Christ is sent here that he might receive and help just such people.

15. Therefore, even though we are weak and sick, we must not despair and say we are not in the kingdom of Christ. But the more we realize our sickness, all the more should we turn to him; for that is what he is here for, to heal and make us whole. Accordingly, if you are sick and a sinner, and realize your condition, you have all the more reason to go to him and say: Dear Lord, I come just because I am a sinner; that thou mayest help me, and make me good. Thus, necessity drives you to him; for the greater your ailment, the more imperative it is that you seek relief. And that is what he wants; therefore, he tenderly bids us to be of good cheer, and to come unto him. They who are not good shepherds, however, expect to make people good by hatefully scolding and driving them, whereas they are thereby only making matters worse. And this may be seen when we look upon present conditions, brought about by this wrong method, when everything is so piteously scattered, even as the prophet has here said.