More than twenty years ago, our family brought home our very first dog—a little golden-retriever-looking puppy we named Maddie.
Maddie loved to chase tennis balls. The only problem? When she had one in her mouth, she always wanted the other one lying on the floor. Big dogs can sometimes hold two at once—but not Maddie. Every time she tried to grab the second ball, the first one popped right out!
That image has stuck with me, because it reminds me of something we see in the Bible—two different words from God: Law and Gospel. Both are God’s Word. Both are good and necessary. But they’re not meant to be mixed. The Law shows us our need for a Savior, and the Gospel gives us that Savior in Jesus Christ. When we try to combine them, we lose the freedom God wants us to have.
This Sunday is Reformation Sunday, a time to remember how Martin Luther and other reformers helped the church rediscover this life-giving truth. It’s also a chance for us to rediscover it personally—to find once again the freedom of knowing the difference.
Worship services are at 8:30 & 10am. Live Streaming available at 10am.
Pr. Steve Trewartha
