In this series we look to build a strong healthy church by asking the question “What does it mean to be a church member?”

Week 6 – As Lutherans, we believe, teach, and confess that our salvation is a gift from God, not something that is owed to us. This gift of faith puts us in the invisible Christian church (the body of Christ) and local visible churches. “Membership” can make one think like a consumer. Christians might say or think, “the church should be thankful they have me and my money.” In consumer ways we can think our opinion might be the only opinion, and we can just get up and leave if things aren’t done just the way we want. This happens when we think the church is there to serve us, instead of the other way around. How can I take this gift and serve God and others? Being a Christian is a gift given by faith alone. Being a part of the church and hearing the gospel is a priceless gift. When we view our membership as a gift we will be better prepared to serve in joy, be filled with thankfulness, and see God and the gospel working even when life is filled with challenges and troubles.

Throughout this season of Epiphany, Jesus has described the governing principles of his kingdom being completely opposite to the governing principles of the world. This week Jesus asks us to befriend our enemies, to love those who hate us, and to repay evil with good. Worldly logic would say that is a recipe for being walked all over. Yet haven’t we seen this tactic work? When we were Christ’s enemies, he loved us to the point of death. He repays our daily wrongs with the daily goodness of his mercy. In doing so, he won us for himself.

Here is the epiphany we badly need to have. Following the strategy Jesus lays out—loving our enemies—is not a capitulation to evil. It is a means of conquering it.

Advent marks the start of a new Church Year. We begin at the end, watching Jesus ride into Jerusalem on a donkey colt, knowing full well that He would be killed before the end of the week. The events of Palm Sunday serve as a microcosm for all Jesus’ work, proving the Son of God was willing to humble himself and endure anything for our salvation. That is precisely why Christ came. And a real Christmas requires remembering why Christ came.