I’ve noticed in a lot of blogs that there are pastors and Christians that are down, depressed and burned out. Life is a struggle and not easy and we as Christian leaders must acknowledge this. I am a sinner and I need God to justify me. This is a daily thing. Preaching the gospel is essential even us preachers need it.
In the words of the late Gerhard Forde “Proclamation means finally stop talking about it, and actually give it…the will and deed of God for the hearer, the I declare unto you the gracious forgiveness of sins in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit to you in the here and now!
Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of Christ so believe it. Believe that you are forgiven for Christ sake alone and it is a free gift that you cannot earn or work for.
In Lutheran theology, we believe in the receptive life that we receive from God not because we make a decision for or work to make God love us no God loves us unconditionally no matter what. God’s work is what matters and God’s work kills the old and creates new life daily. Repent and believe because God is gracious!
You are right when you say Christian leaders need to hear this message as well. Sometimes I think we forget that our pastors are in need of grace too. Thanks for the post!
Yes…thank you. Pastors need to slow once in a while and be ministered to.