For God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us so that whether we wake or sleep we might live with him. Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing. 1 Thessalonians 5:9–11 (RSV)
Luther wrote the following about living together as Christians:
"[The Gospel] gives guidance and help against sin in more than one way, because God is extravagantly rich in his grace: first, through the spoken word, in which the forgiveness of sins is preached to the whole world (which is the proper function of the Gospel); second, through baptism; third, through the holy Sacrament of the Altar; fourth, through the power of the keys and also through the mutual conversation and consolation of brothers and sisters [in Christ]. Matthew 18[:20], 'Where two or three are gathered…'" (SA III:4, Kolb-Wengert edition of The Book of Concord).
'The mutual conversation and consolation of the brothers and sisters in Christ' stands alongside the Gospel and the Sacraments. The Christian life was no small matter for Luther. He did not set aside the call for us to live out our salvation. We do not earn it by our pious living, for salvation is always a free gift of God's grace. However, now that we are saved, our lives should give some evidence that we are.
Luther reminds us of the basics of living a Christian life. We are to hear the Gospel and receive the Sacraments. The preaching AND the hearing of the Gospel is the first step in a life in Christ. When we hear the Gospel, the Holy Spirit continues the work He began at our baptism. If we absent ourselves from the Word, our spirits will grow dull and lifeless.
With the Gospel, the Sacraments are an everyday thing for us. Returning to our Baptism, we take hold of the mercy and forgiveness God has promised to us. At the Altar, we are fed by the Body and Blood of our Lord, which nourishes our spirits. These gifts keep our faith alive and healthy.
These are necessary for maintaining a healthy faith. However, there is a fourth thing Luther's deems as necessary, that is the 'mutual conversation and consolation of the brothers and sisters in Christ'. Let us look at it in this way, think of an activity in which you participated. It could be band, choir, school plays, or a sport. All required practice, lots of practice, so you could be good at the activity.
What would it be like to expend all that time and energy in practice and never get a chance to use those skills? No one participates in these activities, hoping they will never get an opportunity to play. I know of no one who would spend hours on the practice field only to say to the coach on game night, 'Coach, practice is more than enough for me, I'll just sit on the bench'.
The Gospel and the Sacraments are the assurance of salvation. But they are also our preparation to share the faith that is in our hearts. Mutual conversation and consolation is what we have been preparing for as we hear the Word and receive the Sacraments.
Especially in this pandemic, sharing our trust and confidence in our Lord is a blessing. Folk are getting discouraged and are weary of the disruption to life the pandemic has brought. As we take the time to share our faith and trust in the Lord, it can encourage someone who is struggling. Sharing our tears and frustrations yet remaining confident in Christ can lift the spirit of a neighbor.
Jesus did not redeem us so we might remain an individual, separate from others. We have received His mercy and grace so that we might share it with others and they us. Trust the Holy Spirit to guide your thoughts and words as you reach out in support of a brother or sister in Christ. We could all use a hopeful and faith-filled word these days.