Syrian Refugees: A Call for More Fruitful Debate Among Christians

I love the fact that Christians are looking to reach out with compassion to those who are refugees. I also love the fact that Christians are looking to God’s Word for guidance in this area.

Unfortunately, the refugee crisis in Syria has brought out the worst in many Christians who are quick to assign sinister motives to those with opposing viewpoints, imply that there is only one correct answer to this crisis, and/or belittle or mock anyone who disagrees with their own opinion. What kind of witness does this give to those outside the one true faith?

God’s Word has much to say about welcoming the stranger, compassion, and love. It also has much to say about the governing authorities protecting citizens by carrying out God’s wrath on the wrongdoer.

So, by all means, let’s look at the various options by which these refugees can be helped. Let’s ask questions, listen to different points of view, and debate the advantages and disadvantages of each option. But most importantly, as Christians let us do this without slandering one another, without assigning sinister motives, and without haughtiness. Instead, let us put the best construction on everything and explain everything in the kindest way.

“Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt.” [Colossians 4:6]

Egyptian Papyrus

It was recently reported that a 1500-year-old ancient Egyptian papyrus was found (rolled up in an amulet) that contains a noteworthy Christian confession. Just as the early church fathers spoke often and highly of the Lord’s Supper, so does the confession of faith written on this papyrus:

Fear you all who rule over the earth. 

Know you nations and people that Christ is our God. 

For He spoke and they came into being, He commanded and they were created; He put everything under our feet and delivered us from the wish of our enemies. 

Our God prepared a sacred table in the desert for the people and gave manna of the new covenant to eat, the Lord’s immortal body and the blood of Christ poured for us in remission of sins.

To All Completely Committed Followers Who Aren't Fans

It’s one of the latest Christian fads. You see it on social media, church websites, and bumper stickers. There’s even a “program” behind it. So what is this latest fad and the slogan that accompanies it?

not a fan.

COMPLETELY. COMMITTED. FOLLOWER.

Or simply: “I’m a completely committed follower, not a fan!”

I have no doubt that those who believe these words are well intentioned. Nor do I question their faith.

I do, however, question this slogan and the arrogance it conveys. “God, I thank You that I am not like other men—not like that spiritual infant who is still being fed with spiritual milk, not like that individual who struggles against but occasionally gives in to his sinful desires, or even not like that lowly ‘fan’ of Yours. I am a completely committed follower.”

There’s no Jesus in the words “I’m a completely committed follower, not a fan!” No forgiveness. No mercy. No grace.

Only condescension. Arrogance. Haughtiness. Superiority. Conceit. Pride.

[Jesus] also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and treated others with contempt: “Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee, standing by himself, prayed thus: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get.’ But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’ I tell you, this man went down to his house justified, rather than the other. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.” [Luke 18:9-14]

The truth be told, my sinful pride loves to shine the spotlight on self and tout that I am a completely committed follower. My narcissistic self loves to look down on those whom I deem to be only fans. My fallen nature loves to stand before God and show Him my commitment, my dedication, my loyalty, my devotion, my piety, my steadfastness.

But that sinful pride, that narcissistic self, that fallen nature must die. And it must die daily. For only in dying to self—crucifying the flesh with its passions and desires—is one raised to new life in Jesus Christ. This is true of those who see themselves as completely committed followers and it is true of those who are seen as being only fans. “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23; cf. Romans 7:14-25; 1 John 1:8).

If you desire to boast, then join Saint Paul in his boasting. “I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me” (2 Corinthians 12:9). And again: “Far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world” (Galatians 6:14).

The world around you—as well as your brothers and sisters in Christ—will be better served if you approach them not as being more committed than them (whatever that means), but as fellow sinners who live daily by God’s grace in Jesus Christ. Point to His mercy, not your faithfulness. His grace, not your commitment. His forgiveness, not your piety.

That’s why the Christian daily confesses: “God, be merciful to me, a sinner!” (Luke 18:13). We confess this daily because, by God’s grace, we believe His words and promises. “He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9).

Christianity is all about Jesus.

Christianity is all about His birth. His baptism. His life. His suffering. His death. His resurrection. His ascension.

Christianity is all about His Church. His Word. His Sacraments.

Christianity is all about His grace. His mercy. His forgiveness.

Christianity is all about His salvation. His redemption. His atonement.

All of this Jesus is for you! All of this Jesus gives to you!

That’s why I’m neither a fan nor a completely committed follower of fads and slogans and programs that exalt self instead of exalting Jesus. Give me Jesus. Only Jesus!

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God” (Hebrews 12:1-2).

Jesus Follower?

The modern believer has finally figured out the secret to salvation, truth, faith, life, evangelism, service, love. Ditch the label “Christian” and take up the label “Jesus Follower” (or “Follower of Jesus”).

I did a Google search to find a definition, a creed, a confession, or some set of beliefs held in common by those who call themselves Jesus Followers. What I found is hundreds of different statements, mostly short and generic. The Jesus Followers I have spoken with in person seem to want to keep things simple, loving Jesus and one another. That’s all fine and good on the surface, but what about the rest of God’s Word? What about original sin, baptism, absolution, and communion? What about Law and Gospel? What about daily crucifying the sinful flesh and rising to new life? What about all the other aspects of Christian doctrine that God has given us in His Word? Where does Holy Scripture ever take the minimalistic approach? Jesus gave His Church the task of teaching “all” that He has commanded (Matthew 20:18-19).

My observations have led me to conclude that Jesus Followers—though they seem to despise the concept of denominations—are a loosely knit denomination of their own.

By God’s grace, I am a Christian. I have a creed, a confession, a certain set of beliefs—all formed by Christ and His Word. When others ask me for a reason for the hope I have, my answer is simple: Jesus Christ and Him crucified for me. (For you too!) My only boast is in His cross, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.

Saint Luke gives us the origin of the title Christian. “In Antioch the disciples were first called Christians” (Acts 11:26). Those who sat at the feet of Barnabas and Paul in Antioch believed their proclamation of Christ crucified and were happy to be identified with His messianic title. Peter later speaks beautifully of this title when he writes: “If anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name” (1 Peter 4:16). Given these wonderful examples, why would any believer want to ditch this Scriptural title for something “new” and “innovative”?

If you consider yourself a Jesus Follower, why do you believe this title is better or more effective than the title Christian (which has apostolic foundation and nearly 2000 years of usage)?

Keep Scrolling

Are you bullied on Facebook? Bullied by Christians who are laying unwarranted guilt trips on you or promising you things that God Himself hasn’t promised?

Guilt trips regularly seen on Facebook:

• “Repost if you love Jesus. Keep scrolling if you love Satan.”
• “Send to all your friends if you love God.”
• “Only true Christians will repost this.”

If you come across this garbage in your News Feed, keep scrolling in good conscience. You are not denying Jesus or hating God when you scroll past a post without reposting it.

Unfounded promises regularly seen on Facebook:

• “Repost this and you will receive a blessing in [number] minutes.”
• “Pray this prayer and you will receive a blessing before the day is over.”

If you come across this garbage in your News Feed, keep scrolling in good conscience. God’s blessings do not depend on what you do with a Facebook chain letter.

Finally, if you feel the need to confess the Christian faith in some way, then post a Scripture passage about what Jesus Christ has done for the salvation of the world. Or artwork, a hymn, poetry, or faithful commentary that does the same. Do it without attaching any conditions or promising any blessings. In other words, don’t be a bully. Who knows? Maybe someone will rejoice in your Christ-centered post and keep scrolling with a good conscience!

Three Views on Evil

Most people in our culture aren’t concerned with the reality of sin in our world. It is denied, downplayed, or only recognized in the lives of a handful of others. I hope and pray the evil, cowardly, sinful bombings in Boston will cause people to reevaluate their worldview.

How does one’s assumptions about good and evil, God or no God, sin or no sin, help them explain what happened in Boston? Below are three such explanations or worldviews. Two of them are warped, wicked, wrong. One of them is truthful.

1. The Evolutionary Worldview

The evolutionary worldview is built not only on the hypothesis that everything evolved from some lesser form, all the way back to some “big bang” where it all started, but also on what Charles Darwin called “natural selection,” what Herbert Spencer called “survival of the fittest,” and countless other theories, ideas, and guesses throughout the ensuing decades.

This worldview has no place for sin, evil, wickedness. It doesn’t even have a basis for establishing such a definition. In a worldview where everything happens by chance, there can be no objective standard for right and wrong.

Thus, the best honest explanation this worldview can come up for the bombings in Boston is that it happened by chance. It was a random act of a random creature. It was the strong preying on the weak.

2. The Secular Humanist Worldview

The secular humanist worldview is built on the “creed” that there is no god, that no individual or group can impose its beliefs on another, that each individual establishes his own standard of right and wrong. In this worldview, each individual is at the center of his own little world and no outside standard can be imposed on him by another.

Contrary to its own creed, this worldview does have a place for sin, evil, wickedness. While there is no objective truth, there is a collective truth imposed by proponents of this worldview onto everyone else. Evil is what the secular humanist wants it to be.

Thus, the best honest explanation this worldview can come up for the bombings in Boston is that it was wrong simply because we collectively think it is wrong (what ever happened to “who are you to impose your beliefs on anyone else”?).

3. The Christian Worldview

In opposition to both of the preceding worldviews, Christianity has the truth, believes the truth, and confesses the truth. It calls things what they really are. God is holy. God is just. God is merciful. His Word is truth. His Word is revealed. His Word delivers Christ. Sin is sin. Sin warrants hell. Sin’s wages have been paid in full by Jesus Christ on the cross.

The Christian does not deny, downplay, or explain away sin. He confesses it. He sees it in the world around him. He sees it in the bombings at the Boston marathon. But most importantly, he sees it at work in himself—in his very nature, as well as in his own thoughts, words, and deeds. So he confesses it. He looks to Jesus Christ, who paid sin’s penalty and redeemed the entire world by His holy precious blood and His innocent suffering and death. And he believes Christ’s word of absolution.

For the Christian, the bombings in Boston were not only horrific, evil, deadly. They were also sinful. Regardless of the motivation, this was a sinful act carried out by sinners in a sinful world. And sinners always stand in need of repentance and faith in Jesus Christ.

Downplaying or denying God, just like downplaying or denying sin, is never the answer. It satisfies no one. It leaves us with nothing more than a random act of a random creature (chance at work) or an act that we can only collectively label as wrong (a subjective definition that can change at any moment).

Christianity not only addresses the real issue at hand (the problem of evil), it also offers the only solution. Evil is a result of sin, which originated in Adam’s disobedience in the garden. The solution is Jesus Christ. Every sinner needs repentance, forgiveness, Christ crucified for the sin of the world. And that is exactly what Christianity delivers. No excuses. No mere chance. No subjective definitions. Just objective truth. Sin and grace. Confession and absolution. Jesus Christ as Savior of sinners.

I pray the world around us will, by God’s grace, come to know and believe this. “I have said these things to you, that in Me you may have peace,” says Jesus. “In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).

That Is Christianity

The “Relevant” Church

“I think that the church in America today is so obsessed with being practical, relevant, helpful, successful, and perhaps even well-liked that it nearly mirrors the world itself. Aside from the packaging, there is nothing that cannot be found in most churches today that could not be satisfied by any number of secular programs and self-help groups.”

Michael Horton

Christless Christianity: The Alternative Gospel of the American Church

The Dislike Button

Facebook can be a useful tool to connect families, friends, neighbors, coworkers, teams, clubs, and all sorts of groups. While I do not spend a lot of time on Facebook, I have created a page for my congregation, that our members and friends can receive event reminders, view photos, and be pointed to solid resources on the internet.

That being said, I am often saddened to see fellow Christians—sometimes even members of the congregation God has entrusted to my care—post things that are contrary to God’s Word, the Christian faith, our confession, and/or common decency. Examples include but are not limited to: spreading gossip, rumors, and hearsay; using foul language; taking pride in drunkenness; and advertising sexual immorality.

What you post is not hidden from the world around you. Many others see and read it. So ask yourself these questions the next time you want to post something:

• Does this post in any way, shape, or form rejoice in something sinful?
• Does this post in any way, shape, or form profane Christ, His name, or His Word?
• Does this post in any way, shape, or form bring dishonor to Christ, His Church, or His people?

There’s a reason why Saint James writes: “If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person’s religion is worthless” (James 1:26). The Constitution may grant you “freedom of speech,” but in Christ that freedom is restrained by love for God and neighbor.

Fellow sheep of the Good Shepherd, Christ suffered and died on the cross to set you free from the devil, the world, and your sinful flesh. Having been baptized into Christ, “do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh” (Galatians 5:13). Instead, “live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God” (1 Peter 2:16).

As the Father’s beloved child in Christ, heed the admonition and encouragement of Saint Paul:

     If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.
     Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. On account of these the wrath of God is coming. In these you too once walked, when you were living in them. But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth. Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator. Here there is not Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, free; but Christ is all, and in all.
     Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.

[Colossians 3]

God grant you this for Jesus’ sake!

Dullness

“We are in a war between dullness and astonishment.”

The most critical issue facing Christians is not abortion, pornography, the disintegration of the family, moral absolutes, MTV, drugs, racism, sexuality, or school prayer. The critical issue today is dullness. We have lost our astonishment. The Good News is no longer good news, it is okay news. Christianity is no longer life changing, it is life enhancing. Jesus doesn’t change people into wild-eyed radicals anymore; He changes them into nice people.

Robert Farrar Capon

The Astonished Heart, p. 120

HT: Donavon Riley

Persecution

“Remember the word that I said to you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you.” [John 15:20]

Just recently an Iranian court ordered that a Christian pastor be put to death for leaving Islam and converting to Christianity. Youcef Nadarkhani, a 34-year-old husband and father of two was arrested over two years ago on charges of apostasy, and may now be executed at any time without prior warning.

Pastor Nadarkhani and his family are in our prayers as he faithfully and courageously confesses Christ, even in the midst of persecution and the possibility of death. Furthermore, we pray for all Muslims, that our gracious Lord would turn them from their idolatry and bring them to repentance and faith in Jesus Christ—the only Savior!

Lord Jesus Christ, before whom all in heaven and earth shall bow, grant courage that Youcef and all Your children may confess Your saving name in the face of any opposition from a world hostile to the Gospel. Help them to remember Your faithful people who sacrificed much and even faced death rather then dishonor You when called upon to deny the faith. By Your Spirit, strengthen them to be faithful and to confess You boldly, knowing that You will confess Your own before the Father in heaven, with whom You and the Holy Spirit live and reign, one God, now and forever. Amen. [LSB: For Persecuted Christians, adapted]

You can read more about Pastor Nadarkhani here.

“Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on My account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” [Matthew 5:11-12]

Jesus = Religion

Today brother Fisk tackles the YouTube video in my previous post (much more eloquently than I did). See his Worldview Everlasting response below...

True Religion = Jesus

Today I saw a YouTube video titled “Why I Hate Religion, But Love Jesus” posted by numerous friends on Facebook, so I checked it out. The cinematography is well done, but the narration is a mixed bag. It seems this man has quite a story to tell, and some of it is well told. I commend him for that. But when truth is intertwined with half-truths, assumptions, and falsehood, it is dangerous. I wish the author would have focused on his personal story and the Gospel of Jesus Christ for sinners, without all the added baggage. I have no doubt there are some Christians who are messed up with their own religious beliefs. But let’s not paint with a broad brush where God’s Word does not. Below is the four-minute video, followed by the text of the video, interspersed with my own comments. Contrary to this man’s claim, true religion = Jesus!

JESUS>RELIGION

Interesting. True religion = Jesus. So I’m not sure why Jesus > religion.

What if I told you Jesus came to abolish religion.
What if I told you voting Republican really wasn’t His mission.
What if I told you Republican doesn’t automatically mean Christian.
And just because you call some people blind doesn’t automatically give you vision.

Where does Holy Scripture say that Jesus came to abolish religion? He didn’t. He is the sum and substance of true religion. He has been since the creation of man and will continue to be into eternity. And the Republican Party? Really? Moreover, it matters not who I call blind. It matter simply who Holy Scripture calls blind.

I mean, if religion is so great, why has it started so many wars?
Why does it built huge churches, but fails to feed the poor?
Tell single moms God doesn’t love them if they’ve ever had a divorce,
But in the Old Testament God actually calls religious people whores.

Religion has never started a war. Sinners start wars. And almost always for the wrong reasons. There’s nothing inherently wrong with huge churches. The same is true of modest churches and little huts and homes that serve as churches. No one feeds the poor as he should. But do not overlook the fact that Christians have done more to feed the poor in our world than any other group. If your church tells single moms and the divorced that God doesn’t love them, what type of church do you attend? And yes, God did call His own people whores, because they adulterated their relationship with Him by looking to other gods. The same type of spiritual adultery continues today.

Religion might preach grace, but another thing they practice,
Tend to ridicule God’s people, they did it to John the Baptist.
They can’t fix their problems, and so they just mask it,
Not realizing, religion is like spraying perfume on a casket.

Confessional Lutheranism preaches grace correctly. Yet, there’s not a single person on earth who practices it perfectly. What problems does religion mask? Christ’s people carry the darkness of sin into the light of Christ’s forgiveness. But if you’re looking for perfection in this area, you don’t rightly understand man’s sinful nature.

See, the problem with religion is that it never gets to the core.
It’s just behavior modification, like a long list of chores.
Like, let’s dress up the outside and make it look nice and neat.
But it’s funny, that’s what they used to do to mummies while the corpse rots underneath.

True religion gets straight to the core. That’s why true faith must begin with repentance. See John the Baptist’s and Jesus’ preaching as examples. Christianity is not primarily about behavior modification. It is about daily dying to sin and being raised up to newness of life in Jesus Christ (i.e. living one’s baptism). Living in Christ will indeed affect one’s behavior, for a good tree bears good fruit.

Now, I ain’t judging, I’m just saying, quit putting on a fake look,
Cause there’s a problem if people only know that you’re a Christian by your Facebook.
I mean in every other aspect of life you know that logic is unworthy,
It’s like saying you play for the Lakers just because you bought a jersey.

Don’t tell you ain’t judging and in the next breath pronounce a judgment. Not cool. The rest of what you say has validity. It’s not enough to call yourself a Christian. It is a daily dying and rising in Him!

See, this was me too, but no one seemed to be on to me,
Acting like a church kid, while addicted to pornography.
See, on Sunday I’d go to church but Saturday getting faded,
Acting as if I was simply created to have sex and get wasted.

This is your personal account and I have no doubt an honest assessment. God be praised when the Good Shepherd seeks, finds, forgives, and brings home a lost sheep. That is true of every Christian.

See, I spent my whole like building this façade of neatness,
But now that I know Jesus, I boast in my weakness.
Because if grace is water, then the church should be an ocean.
It’s not a museum for good people, it’s a hospital for the broken.

We are weak (dead in our trespasses and sins). Jesus is our strength. Well said. The church is indeed an ocean of grace. I pray no one claims it’s a museum for good people (it would be empty). It always remains a hospital for sinners (in which we remain patients till our Lord calls us home).

Which means I don’t have to hide my failure, I don’t have to hide my sin.
Because it doesn’t depend on me, it depends on Him.
See, because when I was God’s enemy, and certainly not a fan,
He looked down and said, “I want that man.”

Amen!

Which is why Jesus hated religion, and for it He called them fools.
Don’t you see, so much better than just following some rules.
Now let me clarify, I love the church, I love the Bible, and yes I believe in sin.
But if Jesus came to your church, would they actually let Him in?

Again, where does Holy Scripture say that Jesus hated religion? He hated self-righteousness. Would my church let Jesus in? He comes each and every Lord’s Day. Baptism. Absolution. Gospel. Lord’s Supper. He is present with His grace and mercy, calling sinners to repentance, forgiving sins, strengthening faith, and empowering His people to live out their vocations in faith toward God and love toward neighbor.

See, remember He was called a glutton and a drunkard by religion men
But the Son of God never supports self-righteousness, not now, not then.

True.

Now back to the point. One thing is vital to mention,
How Jesus and religion are on opposite spectrums.
See, one’s the work of God and one’s a manmade invention.
See, one is the cure but the other is the infection.

True religion = Jesus. They are not opposite spectrums. Jesus is not the work of God. He is God. And true religion is not a manmade invention. It is Christ’s people gathered around Him to receive His good gifts of forgiveness, life, and salvation. In fact, Jesus calls us “My church” (Matthew 16:18). Paul calls several congregations “the church of God” and calls the church of the living God “a pillar and buttress of the truth” (1 Timothy 3:15). So why is religion manmade? Why the infection? Jesus is the cure. But He delivers the cure within religion, within His holy Church, by means of His Word and Sacraments.

See, because religion says Do, Jesus says Done,
Religion says slave, Jesus says son.
Religion puts you in bondage, while Jesus sets you free.
Religion makes you blind, but Jesus makes you see.

True religion does not say Do. It says Repent and Believe. Jesus has taken your sin and paid its penalty on the cross. You are forgiven. True religion grants freedom, sight, hearing, faith. Why? Because true religion = Jesus!

And that’s why religion and Jesus are two different clans.
Religion is man searching for God, Christianity is God searching for man.
Which is why salvation is freely mine and forgiveness is my own,
Not based on my merits, but Jesus’ obedience alone.

The drum you’re beating is not Scriptural. True religion is God searching for man, finding him, and redeeming him via the cross. The last half of this section proves this.

Because He took the crown of thorns and the blood dripped down His face,
He took what we all deserved, I guess that’s why we call it grace.
And while being murdered, He yelled, “Father, forgive them, they know not what they do.”
Because when He was dangling on that cross, He was thinking of you.

Amen!

And He absorbed all your sin and He buried it in the tomb,
Which is why I’m kneeling at the cross, saying, “Come on, there’s room.”
So, for religion, No, I hate it, if fact I literally resent it.
Because when Jesus said, “It is finished!” I believe He meant it.

The first half of this: Nice! But why hate true religion? Why resent it? True religion = Jesus. When Jesus said, “It is finished!” He did mean it. Sin is finished. So is atonement, redemption, salvation. His words have nothing to do with religion. He is the ground and source of true religion. Always has been. Always will be.

Perhaps what this man is trying to say is that most religion is false. With that I can agree. If he is looking for true religion, I invite him (and you) to visit us at Divine Shepherd. Jesus dwells among us in His Word and Sacraments, full of grace and truth, welcoming all. We are His people, sinners made saints through His blood. Don’t expect perfection though. We remain patients in this hospital, daily living from the medicine of immortality Christ gives us. At Divine Shepherd you will find that true religion = Jesus!

Dive In!

Some of you have been Christians your whole life. Others are relatively new to Christianity. In either case, how do you view the Christian life? Have you immersed yourself in the baptismal grace that is yours in Jesus Christ? Do you splash around daily in the new life He gives you to live? Or are you content dipping in your toes when you need a little spiritual refreshing?

The blessings of forgiveness, life, and salvation Christ gave you in Holy Baptism are as vast and endless as the ocean. In that water you were baptized into His death and resurrection. You died there and were raised to newness of life. And yet, many have become so comfortable in this world and its ways that they want little to do with the new life Christ purchased for them at the price of His very own blood.

Think of it this way. A bunch of kids go to a lake to swim. One of them dips his toes in the water and cries out: “It’s cold! I’m not going in.” Another goes in up to his ankles and says the same thing. Some may even go in up to their knees. Then comes the kid who runs down the dock and dives in head first. It’s fearfully chilly. His blood is pumping. It even stings at first. But in no time his head emerges and he exclaims: “It’s awesome! Come on in!”

This analogy isn’t perfect. For starters, we don’t take the initiative on living the Christian life. Christ does that! But the Christian faith is much like a swim. Many are happy to walk around in the shallow waters of Christianity, barely getting their toes or ankles or knees wet. There they stand, shivering in the cold air of the world they are afraid to leave behind. But that’s not Christianity. Being a disciple of Christ means taking up your cross and following Him day in and day out. To return to the analogy, it means diving in and swimming around in the grace and mercy and forgiveness He provides on a daily basis. Is it cold? Will it sting? Almost certainly. Living the Christian life is not an easy calling. It involves daily crucifying the sinful flesh and living in the baptismal grace with which Christ has washed you.

So dive in. Take the plunge into the river of life. Swim around in His grace. Drink deeply of His mercy. Be a Christian! This is not your own doing, but God’s doing in you. He has already washed you clean and claimed you as His own dear child. Don’t walk away from it. Live as His child!

“There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy habitation of the Most High.” [Psalm 46:4]

“If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink.” [John 7:37]

“Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.” [Hebrews 10:22]

“The Lamb in the midst of the throne will be their Shepherd, and He will guide them to springs of living water, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.” [Revelation 7:17]

Being a Christian does not mean a life free of trial and tribulation. Yet, you have Christ’s promise that He will see you through those trials and tribulations in the strength of His Word and presence.

Don’t dip your toes into Christianity and then complain it’s not what you hoped or expected or wanted. God Himself says you need it. So dive in. Live daily from every Word that proceeds from Christ’s mouth. Be fed regularly with His true body and blood. Swim daily in His gifts and splash His grace onto everyone you encounter in your various vocations. Living the baptismal life may take some getting used to (the Old Adam doesn’t drown easily), but our gracious Lord will show you over and over again how refreshing such a swim in His sacred flood is.

Prayer: A Daily Thing!

Today (the first Thursday in May) is the National Day of Prayer. The law formalizing this annual observance was enacted by the U.S. Congress in 1952 to encourage citizens “to turn to God in prayer and meditation.”

I personally do not observe the National Day of Prayer. Never have. Never will. I do believe such an observance is constitutional. But I have no need for government to tell me when or where or how I should pray.

For the Christian every day is a time for prayer. Faith in Christ lives from His Word and Sacrament and involves a daily drowning of the Old Adam (our sinful nature) and renewing of the New Man (Christ in us) through remembrance of one’s baptism into Christ’s death and resurrection. Such faith leads the Christian back to God’s house regularly first and foremost to be renewed and strengthened and then to add his Amen to “the prayers” of the Church (Acts 2:42). Then he returns home and, by God’s grace, brings his prayers daily to the Triune God. The Lord’s Prayer. The Psalms. The Kyrie. Luther’s morning, evening, and meals prayers. On and on this list goes.

Prayer is the Christian’s calling. “Be constant in prayer” (Romans 12:12). “Devote yourselves to prayer” (1 Corinthians 7:5). “Continue steadfastly in prayer” (Colossians 4:2). “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God” (Philippians 4:6). “Pray without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:17).

That is why I do not observe the National Day of Prayer. Prayer is not a once a year observance. It is a daily thing for the Christian.

First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself as a ransom for all, which is the testimony given at the proper time. [1 Timothy 2:1-6]

So call upon God in every trouble. Pray, praise, and give thanks. And then trust that He will answer your prayers according to His good and gracious will!

No Christianity Apart from the Church

It always perplexes me when a self-professing Christian turns his back on the body of Christ gathered around Christ in His Word and Sacraments, does his own thing (or nothing at all), and then tries to justify it. A Christian is not the body of Christ unto himself. He has been adopted into a family. And that family necessarily gathers together around Jesus Christ to hear Him and receive His good gifts in Word and Sacrament regularly and faithfully. The Third Commandment reveals this truth:

Remember the Sabbath Day to keep it holy. [Exodus 20:8]

What does this mean?  Martin Luther rightly tells us: “We should fear and love God that we do not despise preaching and God’s Word, but hold it sacred and gladly hear and learn it” (Small Catechism).

The ungodly excuses that keep people away from the body of Christ gathered around Christ in His Word and Sacraments include the following:

• I can be a Christian without organized Christianity.
• I can read the Bible and pray on my own.
• I can praise God by the way I live.
• I don’t like continually hearing about sin and repentance.
• I have more important things to do.
• I am a good person, unlike all those hypocrites at church.

Yesterday we even heard a new excuse, from none other than the President of the United States of America. In an interview with Today’s Matt Lauer, President Obama said that he does not plan to find a church home in Washington D.C. because, in his own words, “we are very disruptive to services.”

Excuses aside, God the Holy Spirit has called us by the Gospel into a family. In our relationship to the Father, we are His “beloved children” (Ephesians 5:1). In our relationship to the Son, we are “His bride” (Revelation 19:7). In our relationship to each other, we are “the household of God” (Galatians 6:10). Which is to say, we are brothers and sisters in Christ.

Every Christian knows that someone who cheats on his wife over and over again, without repenting and seeking to amend his ways, has a dying (if not dead) faith. Every Christian knows that someone who steals from his company week after week, without repenting and seeking to amend his ways, has a dying (if not dead) faith. Yet there are a lot of self-professing Christians who fail to hold God’s Word sacred and gladly hear and learn it … and think nothing of it! Who are we to render the Third Commandment obsolete? Who are we to bend and twist God’s will so that it is more in line with our sleep patterns, our children’s sports schedules, and/or our sinful desires? Who are we to justify our lack of hunger and thirst for the wonderful gifts God so graciously gives us in His house, in the Divine Service, in His Word and Sacraments?

Simply put, the Ten Commandments are still God’s will for His people. And yes, we all fall short of God’s will in many ways. What, then, needs to happen? Repentance. Owning up to our sins, our shortcomings, our failures. Not making excuses or justifying ourselves, but confessing that we have sinned against God in thought, word, and deed and then seeking His forgiveness and strength in Jesus Christ. And you know what?  That is exactly what God wants us to do! Repentance is a daily thing for God’s children. The Old Adam (our sinful nature) needs to be daily drowned so that the new man (Christ in us) can daily emerge. Only then can we live before God in righteousness and purity forever!

As you can see, the Christian life is defined by regular hearing of God’s Word, faithful reception of His Supper, steadfast learning of the apostles’ doctrine, participation in the fellowship of believers, and in the prayers (Acts 2:42). That is why Christians do not forsake the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhort one another in the one true faith as we see the Day approaching (Hebrews 10:25).

By God’s grace, let us take to heart the Psalmists’ words and make them our very own:

One thing have I asked of the LORD, that will I seek after: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD and to inquire in His temple. [Psalm 27:4]

How lovely is Your dwelling place, O LORD of hosts! My soul longs, yes, faints for the courts of the LORD. … Blessed are those who dwell in Your house, ever singing Your praise! … For a day in Your courts is better than a thousand elsewhere. I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of wickedness. [Psalm 84:1-2, 4, 10]

Enter His gates with thanksgiving, and His courts with praise! [Psalm 100:4]

I was glad when they said to me, “Let us go to the house of the LORD!” [Psalm 122:1]