The Mutual Conversation and Consolation of Believers

Martin Luther once said that the gospel comes to us in five ways: through the preaching, the sacrament of baptism, the sacrament of the Lord’s Supper, through confession and absolution, and through the mutual conversation and consolation of believers.

Several weeks back I was greeting people at the front doors as they were coming in for the second service and saying goodbye to folks leaving after the first service. Someone, who had been at the first service, came up to meet when there was a lull from folks coming and going, and said: “I want you to know that this church has saved my life.” I said, “Wow! How is that?” They said, “My partner of 56 years died about a year ago, and for a long time I didn’t want to go on – I didn’t want to live. Then someone invited me to come to church here and now I want to live. There’s a joy restored in my life and I’m so glad I’m here.” I was welling up with tears trying to fight them back so folks coming in wouldn’t think my cat died or something (I don’t own a cat, but how would they know?).

It’s interesting, this person didn’t say the preaching, sacraments, or confession and absolution had changed them, but the church (which I interpreted in the context of the place and time it was being said to mean the congregation) had changed their life.

Perhaps all of those other means of grace are included under the umbrella of “the church,” but we too often underestimate the value and importance of the conversation and consolation of sisters and brothers in Christ – of fellowship, hospitality, friendship, phileo/love (sisterly & brotherly love), kindness, encouragement, bearing one another’s burdens, etc. It can change lives. It has!

I am grateful to all of you. You have all changed my life. Christ in you, and through you, has changed my life for the better. I am grateful for anyone and everyone God brings through our doors. I’m grateful to be a part of something God is doing that’s important, meaningful, and life-giving. May the Lord of Life, the Prince of Peace, bless you this day and all your days to come, that you/we may be a blessing to others.

Your brother in Christ,