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From my study window (50 years ago — October 26, 1964)

“‘I don’t want to be obligated to anyone. If you receive favors from people, that puts you in their debt.” Reflecting theologically, Martin writes that “is why many people shrink from receiving the grace of God. They prefer to ‘justify themselves’ than to enter into the mystery and miracle of ‘justification by faith.’” On further reflection, “I am working on a series of sermons to be called, ‘How to Miss the Party.’ This is a theme that dominates many of the parables. The foolish virgins missed the party because life had dried up: ‘they had no oil in their lamps.’ The man without the wedding garment missed the party because he was too pompous to accept the appropriate clothing … offered … at the door. The elder brother of the Prodigal Son missed the party because ‘he was angry and would not go in.’ Nothing seems to have struck the imagination of Jesus more than man’s unwillingness to enter into the joy of the Lord.”

From the column, “From my study window” by W.B.J. Martin.

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