The preaching of God’s Law can be difficult because it confronts sin, and that is not a popular topic. The Law convicts us because it brings sin to light producing death in the sinner. But through our Baptism into Christ we are released from the Law, having died to that which held us captive. Now we belong to Him who has been raised from the dead, in order that we may bear fruit for God. However, belonging to Him puts us at odds with the world and divides us from all earthly ties, not only from our human family, but each person from his own life. But whoever takes up his cross to follow Christ, and “loses his life” for Christ’s sake, finds new life in Him.