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The Bible Study – Our readings for Monday, April 29 are Leviticus 20:1-27 & Luke 12:1-12. In today’s Old Testament text, we see our Holy God giving a code of conduct for priests so that they are not defiled. In our Gospel passage, Jesus warms the disciples about the dangers of religious hypocrisy. Justified by faith, we still retain the sinful nature while in this life. God, who is faithful, will forgive the sins of repentant Christians. Jesus counsels that our real fear should not be of those who can kill the body, but to fear the one who has authority to cast into eternal death, hell. Fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom (Proverbs 9:10). The Gospel gives us blessed assurance of the Lord’s protection for those in Christ. It is the Holy Spirit who works faith within us using God’s means of grace: His Word and Sacraments. Those who stubbornly refuse the work of the Spirit and deny Christ, will be denied entry into Heaven. Pastor Tom Steers Christ the Saviour Lutheran Church, Toronto http://christlutherantoronto.org/beliefs