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THE BIBLE STUDY – Pastor Tom Steers Christ the Saviour Lutheran Church Our readings for Saturday, Jan. 24, are Joel 3:1–21 and Romans 12:14–13:14. Epiphany shines with the revelation of Christ. Joel’s prophecy, though, reminds us that the Lord’s final revealing will come with both judgment and deliverance. Joel Chapter 3 paints a sobering picture: the nations gathered for judgment, human pride exposed, and the Lord roaring from Zion. Yet for His people, believers, the same day becomes refuge, shelter, and restoration. The God who judges is also the God who saves. The Apostle Paul in Romans Chapters 12 and 13, shows how those who belong to this saving God now live in the light of Christ’s appearing. We do not repay evil for evil; we bless those who persecute us; we overcome evil with good. This is not the way of the unbelieving world, nor naïve optimism, but the life of those who know the Judge who has already justified them in Christ. Martin Luther, writing on Romans 13, said, “Faith is a living, busy, active thing. It is impossible for it not to be ceaselessly doing good.” That living faith, born of the Gospel, shapes our life toward neighbour, even in a hostile world. Good works are evidence of our faith, but not the means by which we are saved. St. Paul’s call to “put on the Lord Jesus Christ” is Epiphany living: Christ revealed to us, Christ reflected through us. Paul also speaks clearly with great relevance for today about submission to secular authorities. Those whom God entrusts to keep order and protect us in the temporal earthly realm should be respected. Only when they oppose God’s Word and its proclamation should they be resisted. The day is at hand. The Judge is our Redeemer. Therefore, we walk in the light, confident that the Lord who shakes the heavens is also the One who shelters His people forever. We are saved by God’s grace alone, through faith alone, in our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ alone. Prayer: Lord Jesus Christ, Light of the world, clothe us with Yourself that we may walk as children of the day. Strengthen us to bless our enemies, love our neighbours, and trust Your final deliverance. Keep us steadfast until You come again in glory. Amen. Our Hymn for the Day from Lutheran Service Book is LSB 411 — “I Want to Walk as a Child of the Light” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Le47mT2HEvw&list=RDLe47mT2HEvw&start_radio=1