QUOTE (Paul Althaus) – May 18
May 18, 2014
“God’s offer, therefore, is at the same time a summons, an appeal, and a command: namely, that I should let him be what he, in his love, wants to be–my God. The command is grounded wholly in the offer; it is wholly borne by God’s gift to us. It is this gift that stands at the beginning: God’s wanting to be for us. The offer, not the command, is primary. But precisely because this is an offer made in love–love that seeks me as a person–this offer, this gift, necessarily (with the necessity of God’s love) becomes also a summons. God cannot be my God in a saving way unless I let him be my God. Otherwise the nature of the personal relationship, as God himself intends it, would be contradicted. He calls me to trust him above all things. This is offer (promissio) and at the same time summons, commands, and call.”
~Paul Althaus
In honor of Paul Althaus, German Lutheran theologian, who died on this day in 1966.
Resources:
This Day in History for 18th May
Lutheran Quote of the Day: Althaus on Faith and Command
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A DEVOTED LIFE 
Thought-provoking quote, JD. This statement in particular started me thinking: “God cannot be my saving God unless I let him be my God.” He did not create puppets; he created each of us with a will, allowing us the privilege of choice. And yet what a choice! Choose Jesus, avail yourself to him, and love, wisdom, strength, guidance, comfort, and more, PLUS eternal life are ours. How silly we can be struggling on our own, trying to be god-like with all our weaknesses and foibles!