Lutheran Illustrations
Law and Gospel, justification by faith, sacramental theology.
Key question: “How does this distinguish Law from Gospel?”
14930 illustrations found
Understanding Justice - Application
God’s call for justice isn’t just a lofty ideal; it is intricately tied to His very presence in our lives. In 2 Timothy 1:7, we read, “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and...
Lutheran Lens Commentary: Ruth 1:1-5
We read Ruth 1:1-5 through the lens of Law and Gospel, recognizing the Law's revelation of human frailty and suffering in the face of famine and death. This passage highlights the consequences of living in a fallen world, where the Law exposes our inability to secure our own future. However, we also
Lutheran Lens Commentary: 1 John 2:28-3:3
We read 1 John 2:28-3:3 through the lens of Law and Gospel, seeing the call to abide in Christ (2:28) as both a command (Law) that exposes our inability and a promise (Gospel) that assures us of our identity in Christ. The passage highlights our baptismal identity as God's children (3:1), which is a
Scripture Study: Lutheran Lens Interpretation Methods
As we gather around the words of Paul in 1 Corinthians 13:4-8, we find a profound exploration of love that transcends mere emotion and beckons us into a divine reality. This passage is often celebrated in weddings, but its implications...
The Example of Goodness - Story
In a small town, there lived an elderly woman named Clara, renowned for her radiant goodness. Each Sunday, as she walked to church, her neighbors would stop to admire the way she carried herself, her head held high and her...
A Story of Joy - Contemporary Example
Last summer, I had the joy of witnessing a remarkable transformation in a young man named David. He had been wrestling with feelings of shame and unworthiness after making some poor choices in his life, choices that had cost him...
Faith and Compassion - Church Context
Imagine a weary traveler, burdened by the weight of his pack, navigating a rocky path. Each step is heavy, each moment fraught with uncertainty. Then, he encounters a fellow pilgrim who pauses, looks him in the eye, and offers a...
Lutheran Lens Commentary: Ruth 2:1-23
In the Lutheran Lens tradition, we read Ruth 2:1-23 as an embodiment of God's providence and grace, highlighting the themes of vocation and divine mercy. Through Boaz's actions, we see the Law at work in its civil use, as he exercises justice and kindness in his vocation. Yet, the passage is also ri
Understanding Mercy - Application
Isaiah 40:31 tells us, “But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” This promise is a...
A Story of Goodness - Story
In a small, sunlit town, there lived a woman named Clara. Everyone knew her as the librarian, a quiet soul who spent her days surrounded by the yellowed pages of old books. But beneath her gentle demeanor lay a story...
Lutheran Lens Commentary: Revelation 3:14-22
We read this passage as a profound interplay of Law and Gospel. The words to the church in Laodicea expose the deep-seated sin of spiritual complacency (Law) — their lukewarm faith is neither hot nor cold, rendering them ineffective and distasteful. This is the Law doing its terrifying work, reveali
Putting Into Practice: Kindness - Teaching Material
As we reflect on Ephesians 2:8-9, which reminds us that we are saved by grace through faith, not by our own works, we find a profound call to live out this grace in our daily interactions. The kindness we extend...
Lutheran Lens Commentary: 1 Corinthians 15:1-11
We read this passage as the Apostle Paul's proclamation of the Gospel in its purity. It begins with a reminder of the Gospel Paul preached, which is the foundation of our faith, and transitions into a powerful testimony of Christ's resurrection. This is Gospel in its purest form—Christ died for our
Lutheran Lens Commentary: 1 John 2:1-6
In 1 John 2:1-6, we read this passage as a vivid exposition of the interplay between Law and Gospel. The text underscores our call to walk as Christ walked, which the Law reveals as an impossible task for the old Adam, exposing our sin and the bondage of our will. Yet, it also delivers the Gospel pr
Faith and Salvation - Church Context
When we turn to Romans 8:28, we find a treasure trove of comfort and assurance: “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”...
A Story of Love - Contemporary Example
There’s a story I love about a young woman named Sarah, who faced a pivotal moment in her life. After college, she applied for her dream job, a position that promised to be a springboard for her career. Days turned...
Lutheran Lens Commentary: 2 Corinthians 12:1-10
We read 2 Corinthians 12:1-10 through the lens of the theology of the cross. Here, Paul boasts of his weaknesses, and we see a clear picture of how God's power is perfected in human frailty. This passage is a profound proclamation of the Gospel — that our strength and righteousness are found not in
The Power of Redemption - Story
There was a woman named Sarah who lived in a small town, known for her bright smile and warm heart. Yet, beneath that cheerful exterior lay a past filled with regret and heartache. Years earlier, she had made choices that...
When Forgiveness - Contemporary Example
During a summer retreat, I met a woman named Clara. She was in her late fifties, a grandmother of three, and had a gentle smile that radiated warmth. But beneath that smile, Clara carried a heart weighed down by years...
The Power of Mercy - Contemporary Example
Maria, a nurse in our community, found herself at a crossroads. After years of caring for others in the bustling emergency room, she felt spiritually drained and directionless. One particularly chaotic night, a young mother was rushed in, cradling her...
Lutheran Lens Commentary: Matthew 5:43-48
We read Matthew 5:43-48 through the Lutheran Lens as Law exposing our inability to fulfill God's command to love our enemies perfectly. This passage reveals the depth of our sin, for it demands a love that mirrors God's perfect love, which we, in our sinful nature, cannot achieve. The Law here drive
Theological Perspective: Joy - Church Context
Joy is not merely a fleeting emotion; it is a deep-seated assurance rooted in the faithfulness of God. Jeremiah 29:11 reminds us, “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not...
Lutheran Lens Commentary: Hebrews 13:1-6
We read Hebrews 13:1-6 through the lens of Law and Gospel, recognizing the exhortations to love, hospitality, and contentment as the Law's demands that expose our failures to live as we ought. Yet, nestled within these commands is the Gospel, reminding us of God's promise that He will never leave us
When Kindness - Story
There was a time in my life when I felt adrift, like a small boat lost at sea, surrounded by the vastness of uncertainty. It was during this tumultuous season that I encountered an unexpected lighthouse—a simple act of kindness...