Means of Grace
For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “The just shall live by faith.” Romans 1:16-17
I’ve been in the pastoral ministry for about seven years. In that time I have never converted a single soul to Jesus Christ. I’ve held services every week, taught the catechism, held Bible studies and adult instruction classes, evangelized, and made the case for Christ to plenty of strangers. Yet I’ve never brought anyone to faith.
But I’m not ashamed of that. In fact, I would hope that every pastor in our fellowship would also freely admit that he has never made someone believe in Jesus. Because that is impossible. As the small catechism teaches, no one can believe or come to Christ by reason or strength. The only means to saving faith and salvation are the means of grace: the Gospel in word and sacrament.
That’s a great comfort. If faith and salvation were left to our power, what chance would we have for salvation? The sinner has no power to turn to God. The sinner cannot decide to place faith in Jesus because his mind is at enmity with God. And even we, who have been called and enlightened by the Holy Spirit–how can we hope to remain in the true faith unless we receive constant doses of God’s promises?
We can be sure of our faith when we hear the Gospel of Christ, remember our baptisms, and receive Jesus’ body and blood in Holy Communion. By these powerful means we receive what only God can graciously offer: faith, the forgiveness of sins, and salvation.
The Gospel shows the Father's grace,
Who sent His Son to save our race,
Proclaims how Jesus lived and died
That man might thus be justified.
The Lutheran Hymnal 297:1