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“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a dragnet cast into the sea, and gathering fish of every kind; and when it was filled, they drew it up on the beach; and they sat down and gathered the good fish into containers, but the bad they threw away.”

Matthew 13:47–48, LSB

Who’s in and who’s out? That’s not our concern, but God takes that one. We are just called to invite and proclaim. If they never hear the Word, what hope is there? If they hear the Word and walk away, what concern is that of ours? We don’t save and we don’t condemn, but God is the only one who can discern the heart of anyone. As we sense the Holy Spirit's calling, we are called to listen and be guided by Him. When we observe the congregation sitting and worshipping, we know that the Church is present, but not all that we see are members of the Church. We only see the visible church, but it is full of saints and sinners, those who belong to God and those who don’t.  There will be those who sit in their rejection of God because they have replaced Him with a god of their own creation. This is not for us to discern, but we pray and trust in the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ. One day, the truth will be known to all, and for some, it may be too late. As we walk, we are called to proclaim the Word and rest in our Lord’s peace.

Let us pray. I thank you, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, your dear Son, that you have kept me this night from all harm and danger, and I ask you to protect me this day also from sin and every evil, that in all I do today, I may please you. For into your hands, I commend myself, my body and soul, and all that is mine. Let your holy angel watch over me, that the wicked foe have no power over me. Amen.