And when [the Spirit] comes, he will prove the world wrong about sin and righteousness and judgment: about sin, because they do not believe in me;  about righteousness, because I am going to the Father and you will see me no longer;  about judgment, because the ruler of this world has been condemned.  (John 16:8-11)

The Lutheran church should give daily thanks for Twitter.  Over the past five years, that steady, online stream of posturing, self-righteousness, and public shaming has done more than all of God’s preachers combined to expose our need for the Gospel.

The Gospel is simple: Jesus alone is righteous.  He returned to the Father and now rules with the Father in glory.  He is the judge, and thanks be to God, He has declared you righteous for the sake of His blood alone.

So what is Twitter but proof that the human heart would prefer a very different kind of judge and rule?  What do the dregs of human speech captured on that digital platform demonstrate but that we are far more ready than God Himself to condemn others and glorify ourselves?

The devil’s in pits; all the rest of you are forgiven for Jesus’ sake.  So says the Spirit, and so say I.  There’s no more wrong to prove, but only the Righteous One to follow.

LET US PRAY: I’m sorry, Father, for not loving my neighbor as You have loved me; and yet I glory in the blood of Your Son, shed for my sake and for the whole world.  By Your Holy Spirit, renew my mind, and thus also my speech, that whatever I speak may be spoken in love, as You are love; for Jesus’ sake.  Amen

Pastor Steven K. Gjerde

Zion, Wausau

“But He led forth His own people like sheep and guided them in the wilderness like a flock; He led them safely, so that they did not fear; but the sea engulfed their enemies.” (Psalm 78:52-53)

The Lord watches over your going out and your coming in. He who knows all things, knows what is before you. He will not let your foot be dashed against a stone. Do not fear the tyrants of this age, but the One who loves with a pure love and offers to His people eternal reconciliation. Come then into the presence of the Lord and know that He who is good will lead you always.

Lord, I am often immature in how I see things and do not think about the reality of all people everywhere, each in their stage of rebellion. Guide me, O Lord, to walk humbly with You all the days of my life knowing that only You can lead me in safety. Help me see Your hand upon my life and the truth that You are always with me and before me guiding me in all of my ways.

Lord Jesus, You taught over and over again the truth of Your eternal presence and purpose. Help me now and always to stand firm in the truth of Your love that I would walk in Your ways and learn from You the way life is to be lived. Lead me in the grace You grant to be humble and faithful in all things as You prepare me to be whom You have always meant me to be. Amen.