The day of his graduation from Marine Corps boot camp Joshua Schmitz, a native of Loyal, Wisconsin, asked his father, "Did I do good, Dad?" Recalling his son's question some four months after he was killed in Iraq Joshua's father said, "You know sons. They're always trying to please their dads."

On December 26, 2006 Joshua was stationed at a base in a former home near the Euphrates River west of Baghdad with about thirty fellow Marines. From his post near a window he saw a suicide bomber coming towards the base in a truck. Scrambling up a ladder to the roof Joshua grabbed a gun and began shooting at the truck's bullet-proof windshield. The windshield eventually shattered and the driver was killed. But as Joshua stood up and turned toward another soldier the truck exploded and shrapnel killed him. Because of Joshua's self-less sacrifice none of his fellow Marines was hurt. If Joshua's father Mark could speak to him now he would say, "Son, you did good."

You and I are called by God to offer ourselves as living sacrifices to Him, as Paul tells us: "Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship" (Romans 12:1). But how often have you and I been rebellious, self-seeking people? By nature our desire is not to serve others but to be served by others.

In eternity God foresaw that our first parents would plunge humanity into sin and death. Before creation the heart strings of the heavenly Father were stirred with love for you and me and for all sinners yet unborn. Paul's exultant hymn of praise to the Triune God begins with, "Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ…For He chose us in Him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in His sight. In love He predestined us to be adopted as His sons through Jesus Christ" (Ephesians 1:3-6).

Though we have been rebellious children from conception and not worthy to be called His sons and daughters, our heavenly Father sent His faithful Son, Jesus Christ, to become our brother in the flesh. Because of Christ's perfect life and His innocent suffering and death you and I can rest assured that all of our sins have been atoned for. Through Isaiah the Lord assures us, "Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool" (Isaiah 1:18). Through God’s gift of faith you and I are clothed with the pure white robe of Christ's righteousness. When the heavenly Father sees us He sees His Son's perfection. He sees us as His beloved sons and daughters.

So the Apostle Paul reminds us that we are able to offer ourselves as "living sacrifices" only "in view of God's mercy." The wondrous love of our heavenly Father in sending His only Son to rescue us is what leads us to ask the question, "Father, how can I serve you?"

On that great day when our Savior returns in glory we look forward to Him saying, "Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!" (Matthew 25:21).

Information on Joshua Schmitz was taken from an article by Jerry Poling in the April 29, 2007 issue of the Eau Claire Leader-Telegram, pp. 1A-2A.

Mark Rogers was pastor of Pinehurst Lutheran Church in Eau Claire, Wisconsin.