I really like my pastor. I think he is doing a great job. And he likes to joke around as part of his normal conversation with people. Recently he has taken to calling me “Pastor Emeritus” in Bible Class. “Emeritus” is an honorary title given to someone who has retired from a position but is allowed to keep using the previous title, such as “Pastor Emeritus.” He was doing it in a good-natured way and I appreciated it, but I quickly quipped back that I would be more correct to call me Pastor A-meritus.

He smiled, because he knows that in Greek (and sometimes in English) the prefix “a-“ negates the meaning of the word. For example, a theist is someone who believes in God. An atheist believes there is no God. So when I said I should be called “A-meritus” I was saying I had no merit in myself. I was making reference to Luther’s explanation to the First Article of the Apostle’s Creed.

I believe in God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth.

 What does this mean?

I believe that God has made me and all creatures; that He has given me my body and soul, eyes, ears, and all my members, my reason and all my senses, and still takes care of them. He also gives me clothing and shoes, food and drink, house and home, wife and children, land, animals, and all I have. He richly and daily provides me with all that I need to support this body and life. He defends me against all danger and guards and protects me from all evil. All this He does only out of fatherly, divine goodness and mercy, without any merit or worthiness in me. For all this it is my duty to thank and praise, serve and obey Him.

This is most certainly true.

 God is a loving Father who pours out His blessings on “A-meritus” people like me. He gives me more than I need to support my life here on earth. And He has given me the greatest blessing of all in the gift of Himself as my Savior. God’s love led Him to offer Himself in payment for the sins of the world so that we could be reconciled with Him, be forgiven, and have eternal life. Jesus went through unimaginable agony in the process of paying for sin, but did so willingly to spare us that torment and restore us to the position we now enjoy as God’s dearly loved and ransomed children. His merit did this, not ours. Without any merit or worthiness in me.

I agree wholeheartedly with Luther: For all this it is my duty to thank and praise, serve and obey Him.  This is most certainly true.

P.S.  Be sure to pray for your pastor and his family, especially during this busy season of Lent. It is a difficult job that places heavy demands on him and his family. Ask God to guide and bless him as he points us to the cross and the empty tomb.