Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ (Rom 13:14 NIV)

The apostolic admonition encourages the Christian to live constantly in the trusting faith and confidence, that our Lord Jesus Christ has forgiven us all our sins and that since our baptism we are covered with the clothes and garments of his vicarious righteousness and that his all-availing sacrificial death on the cross is our justification and redemption by the grace of God, our Lord and Saviour – sufficient and effective. The Lord grants all his gifts and graces. He does not make a big scene about this. Rather grants them to us in the insignificant lowliness and humbleness of his most precious word and sacraments. Still we too often doubt and even oppose the sanctifying measures of our Lord. That is why the Lord sometimes needs to take so that he can give. Harm so that he can heal. Sanctification is a perpetual struggle against our sinfulness. That is why we need the apostolic admonition: Clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ!  Amen.

Almighty God heavenly Father! Graciously support us that we fight all temptations valiantly and thus retain your victory. If we trip, support us; if we sink, hold us by your hand; if we fall, pull us up again. Lead us in your truth and teach us; you are our God, who helps us. Daily we wait on you. Do not remember us according to our sinfulness, but rather remember us according to your grace and mercy. Revive us with the comfort of your forgiveness and ensure us in all struggles of your fatherly goodness and love. Grant us strength to become stronger according to the richness of your peace. Through Jesus Christ, our Lord and Saviour. Amen. (Johann Arndt)

Strive aright when God doth call thee, When he draws the by His grace, Cast off all that would enthrall thee, And deter thee from the race. (Johann Joseph Winckler, 1670-1722)

This is a rather free translation of Wilhelm Löhe’s devotion for Friday after the first Sunday in Advent. It is found on Pg. 12 in Lob sei Dir ewig, o Jesu!   (Eternal Praise to you o Jesus!) edited by A. Schuster and published in the Freimund Verlag, Neuendettelsau 1949.