✝️ We know that Jesus died on the cross for our sins, so why do we default to the law?

❤️ You probably feel this inner drive to earn God's approval — that's normal. It's like we're all programmed with this instinct to follow rules and try to be "good enough."

😔 When you mess up (which everyone does), you might think you need to work harder to make up for it.

🌟 But here's the thing: You can't earn your way into heaven, and you don't need to. Jesus already did the heavy lifting.

⚡️ Think of it like this — you can't put Jesus back in the tomb. He died for you, rose again, and that's a done deal. You can't mess it up.

📜 The law isn't bad — it helps guide you and protect others.

✨ But following rules isn't what saves you. That's all Jesus.

🤔 You might be thinking, "So what am I supposed to do as a Christian?" It's not about checking boxes or proving yourself worthy.

💫 Sure, you'll still struggle with wanting to prove yourself — that's your human nature. But every time that happens, remember: You don't need to impress God.

🙏 Jesus already took care of everything. Your job isn't to be perfect; it's to trust that His perfect love is enough.

🎮 It's like having the cheat codes to life — but instead of feeling guilty about it, you get to live freely, knowing you're covered. Pretty cool, right?

Contributor Rev. Harrison Goodman is the Higher Things Content Executive.

Contributor Chris Brademeyer is Pastor of St. John’s Lutheran Church in Oakes, ND.

#higherthings #lcms #lutheran #law

🤔 Is it important that you use masculine pronouns for God?

This isn't just about modern gender debates – people have been exploring different ways to refer to God for ages.

Here's the key thing:

📖 The original biblical texts consistently use masculine pronouns for God in both Hebrew and Greek.

✝️ Jesus was referred to as the Son of God, and The First Person of the Trinity as the Father.

But this doesn't diminish femininity — actually, the Bible often elevates women's status, like when it describes the Church (represented as feminine) as being perfectly loved by Christ. 👰

When we start editing which parts of scripture we accept based on our modern preferences, we're essentially putting ourselves in the position of deciding what's true. 🤷

Think about it: if you're the one deciding which parts of the Bible to keep or dismiss, haven't you basically made yourself the authority over the text? 🤔

But here's an even deeper point: if we can only accept a God who matches our own identity — whether that's gender, race, or anything else — we're trying to create God in our image instead of the other way around. 🎨

The whole point is that God is different from us. ✨

We're limited beings who struggle with moral failings and mortality. 🌱

The real power of Christianity isn't about God matching our characteristics – it's about a God who, despite being different from us, chose to become human, experience our struggles, and offer salvation to everyone. 🙏

The Bible teaches that in Christ, differences of gender, ethnicity, and social status don't determine our worth or our access to divine love. ❤️

So while pronouns matter, maybe we're missing the bigger picture if we get too caught up in this debate. 🔍

The core message is about a God who loves and values everyone. 💫

Contributor Rev. Harrison Goodman is the Higher Things Content Executive.

#higherthings #lcms #lutheran #God

🤔 What would Jesus say about going to parties?

📖 Scripture uses a word that is helpful here: being "sober-minded."

It doesn't mean being a buzzkill or taking yourself too seriously. It's actually about being fully present and aware.

🍷 Think about the wedding at Cana — you know, that famous story where Jesus turned water into wine. And not just any wine — he made the good stuff for people who had already been partying!

⚖️ This shows that Christianity isn't about being joyless or being serious all the time, but it also doesn't mean that nothing matters.

🧭 But Christians are called to be "sober-minded" means staying grounded in reality no matter where you are. (2 Tim. 4:5)

🗺️ It's like having your spiritual GPS always on — knowing where you stand with God (in our baptisms, etc) and how His Word defines us in every situation.

💪 When the Bible talks about Jesus being "meek," it doesn't mean being shy or timid. Instead, it means being confident and composed — someone who isn't easily pushed around because they know exactly who they are and what they're about.

✝️ Christ and his redemption matters so much that you can be confident about everything that you do in your vocation.

💭 The takeaway? Your faith shouldn't make you choose between being super serious all the time or just YOLO-ing through life without caring about consequences.

🎯 Instead, it's about finding that sweet spot where you can genuinely enjoy life's celebrations while staying true to your values and identity.

🎉 You can go to parties and have fun, but do it from a place of awareness and sober mindedness rather than trying to numb yourself or escape reality. You are not free to sin, but free from sin.

✨ It's about being present enough to appreciate the good times when they're happening, while remembering who you are in Christ.

Contributor Rev. Harrison Goodman is the Higher Things Content Executive.

Contributor Matt Richard is Pastor of St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Minot, ND.

#higherthings #lcms #lutheran #jesus