GOD LOVES THE PHYSICAL BECAUSE GOD LOVES TO FORGIVE

Mankind's greatest need is and continues to be forgiveness from God and forgiveness from others. It is not even moral transformation, as moral transformation in this life will always be incomplete. We cannot be told to look to the quality of our faith, as that is always going inward and will always, always, always lead to despair. We will never, ever, measure up.

For those who are strong enough to simply say "Oh I know I'm forgiven", I truly am glad for them that their faith is that strong. But I don't know about you, but even though I know I'm forgiven, I do not always *feel* forgiven. 

This is serious pastorally. For those who do not have the Sacraments, my heart breaks for them because they are many times simply being told to look back again to their faith, which is already weak, if they don't feel forgiven. This is detrimental to their comfort, because they will never have enough faith.

But God Who is rich in mercy has given us the Sacraments and the Word of the Gospel to comfort us who have weak faith.

He has washed our sins away in the Waters of Holy Baptism.

Every time in Divine Service He comes down to us in the mouth of the minister and declares us forgiven in the Sacrament of Holy Absolution.

Then the Gospel is proclaimed and Christ Himself gives us His Body to eat and His Blood to drink for the forgiveness of our sins in the Sacrament of the Altar.

Even as the Sacraments are physical, God loves the physical. Christ clothed Himself with physical flesh to redeem the world.

Your sins are forgiven.