John 8:34-36

“So if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed.” vs. 36

We all yearn for freedom! Early on in our lives, chafing under real and imagined parental oppression, we begin to look forward to the day when we will be free of all restraint and able to do as we please every moment of every day. We’ll do as we please when we want and our lives will be full of pleasure and joy. And then we leave home…and make the sad discovery that freedom is more elusive than we had ever dreamed. Forces beyond our control exert influences in relationships and jobs…and doing as we please regularly brings disaster. Even when we think we’re free our enemy sin, with all its passions and desires, subjects us to a slavery from which we cannot escape. Jesus tells us that the path to true freedom lies in submission to the One who offers forgiveness. In Matthew 11:29 he says, “Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me…and I will give you rest.” As we become subject to Jesus we are bound to goodness…and we learn the joy that comes from being a servant. In that gentle bondage our souls are set free and we discover the peace that comes as a gift of the Spirit. Boundless liberty breeds discontent; bound service brings love and contentment.

Thought for the Day: Why do rivers have banks?

John 8:31-33

“Then Jesus said to the Jews who had believed in him, ‘If you continue in my word, you are truly my disciples; and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.’” vss. 31-32

There’s much to be said about the faith that connects us to the grace that God so freely gives. It can certainly be described as assent, an “amen” to God’s act of redemption that takes place in Christ Jesus. And it’s true, assent is a good place to start, and every relationship does need a beginning. But, as Jesus told the folks who had believed in him, it’s in the continuing relationship that we begin to experience the fruits of discipleship. In some of our congregations we ask our youth to participate in some sort of confirmation program, a series of classes or experiences that culminates in a ritual of affirmation. At that point most of the confirmands are willing to stand before witnesses and say that they are believers…and then many are never seen again at worship! Pastors and parents can lament, try new techniques, or give their programs a hundred other tweaks but nothing seems to make much of a difference. Oh, some might hang around for a bit, but within a few years most have wandered off. They’re just not interested in continuing in the word. It’s not that they’ve lost grace, but when faith never turns from assent to trust…we miss the joy of truly knowing Christ.

Thought for the Day: What does continuing with Jesus look like?

Romans 3:25b-28

“For we hold that a person is justified by faith apart from works prescribed by the law.” vs. 28

It’s pretty much agreed among followers of Jesus that all sinners are justified, i.e. made righteous, by grace through faith. But then a sometimes heated conversation can occur. Which of those two words, grace or faith, shall get the emphasis? It can make a difference. Those who emphasize grace tend to focus on God’s initiative in salvation. They happily baptize babies knowing that this is the very best way to demonstrate that everything is done by God…the child’s part is pretty obviously passive. Of course there will be a response of faith at some later point, perhaps the rite of confirmation, but that’s simply saying “Amen” to what has already been done. Some Christians however, those emphasizing faith, teach that what really counts in salvation is the human response. For them baptism itself is an act of faith and is only appropriate for those who are already believers. Of course they believe in grace…but without faith God’s gift is inaccessible. For many such people the most important day of a person’s life is the moment of decision, that hour when a sinner accepts Jesus as Savior. Sadly, folks having these different views have had a hard time with unity down through the years. What a blessing it is when we can embrace our differences and stop insisting on our own way! In the end, grace and faith are both gifts from God and are intended to promote unity, not division.

Thought for the Day: Am I more of a “grace” or “faith” person?

Romans 3:19-25a

“For there is no distinction, since all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God; they are now justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus,” vss. 22b-24

Martin Luther had studied Paul’s words in Romans for years and then one day a light went on for him and for the first time he saw them as an offering of grace. He had struggled with his own righteousness for so long, always believing that there was some way for him to overcome his sin and live as God desired. But the harder he tried, the more depressed he became…he was a sinner and the prescription of confession and satisfaction offered by the church could never give him peace. He never could feel that he had done enough! And then out of the depths the Spirit gave him insight. The righteousness that he craved had been given to him by God as a gift through what Jesus had done on the cross. And this marvelous gift of grace was for all sinners. By faith Luther embraced the salvation that was his…and then did everything he could to share that good news with other sinners. In a few days we’ll be acknowledging the 500th anniversary of Luther’s posting of the 95 Theses on the church door in Wittenberg. While that was indeed a momentous occasion the real start of the Reformation came in the stillness of Luther’s study as he pored over the words of Paul. There the Spirit spoke and he glimpsed the serenity that had been his heart’s desire.

Thought for the Day: What insights have come to me through scripture?

Psalm 46:6-11

“He makes wars cease to the end of the earth; he breaks the bow, and shatters the spear; he burns the shields with fire.” vs. 9

One hundred years ago our country sent hundreds of thousands of troops to Europe to kill Germans in what was called “the war to end all wars.” Since that time scarcely a decade has passed without our involvement in yet another “engagement.” In the process we have become the dominant military power in the world and are even now preparing to accelerate spending that will insure our continuing dominance. Some of our leaders even seem eager for the next opportunity to show off our military might and destroy yet another enemy. In such an atmosphere there is a temptation to glorify war and see it as a means for young men and women to hone leadership skills while serving gallantly on the battlefield. This seems to be especially true for those who have never been to war themselves! The truth is that war has never been a part of God’s plan for humanity. While there are indeed times when wars are necessary to preserve us from a greater evil, they should never be seen as the path to glory for anyone. In reality they cause unbelievable suffering, mostly for the poor and the innocent, and even the lives of the victors are often shattered and damaged. While those who serve in the military on our behalf deserve our honor and respect, those who work for peace are the ones who receive the blessing of our Lord.

Thought for the Day: What is a “just” war?

Psalm 46:1-5

“Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change, though the mountains shake in the heart of the sea; though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble with its tumult.” vss. 2-3

Humans have always had a dickens of a time dealing with the environment. We talk about the vagaries of “Mother Nature” and lament the unpredictable “Acts of God” that are a part of life in this world. It’s seems like we’re always cleaning up after one disaster or another and then arguing about whether or not such events are human caused. Since it’s obvious that we do contribute to environmental crises of one kind or another through our often rapacious and careless exploitation of resources, we do have a responsibility to regularly assess our stewardship. But even when we’re being good stewards, the earth does change. It’s not a dead planet and massive energies are always being generated and unleashed. The mountains will shake and the seas will roar…and we’re going to be affected. The psalmist, living on an ancient fault line in the earth’s surface, knew those things well…and urged the people to look to God as a “very present help in trouble.” And so that’s what we do! When earthquakes, hurricanes, fires, and volcanoes wreak havoc we become the hands and feet of God as we band together to help victims and provide support for survivors. Our living planet is beautiful and bountiful, but it’s also a dangerous place to live. May our “very present” God keep us from fear and give us wisdom in our stewardship.

Thought for the Day: What can humans do about climate change?

Jeremiah 31:31-34

“No longer shall they teach one another, or say to each other, ‘Know the Lord,’ for they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest, says the Lord; for I will forgive their iniquity, and remember their sin no more.” vs. 34

Jeremiah describes a new covenant that God will make with the house of Israel, one not based on law but grace, and his picture now hangs on the wall of every faithful follower of Jesus. It’s an image that was close to the heart of Martin Luther some 500 years ago as he struggled to find peace in his relationship with God. He’d been deeply discouraged in his futile attempts to attain righteousness…the power of sin was just too strong for him to overcome. But as he studied scripture he realized that what he had been seeking was already a reality. A new covenant had been enacted in Christ Jesus and by grace forgiveness was already his…his sins were no longer remembered by God. With that insight his eyes were opened and he devoted the rest of his life to reformation of the Church and the proclamation of the gospel. With the gift of hindsight we can see the flaws in his thinking and even lament his hurtful diatribes, but we can never forget his emphasis on justification by grace through faith. It was an idea that emerged from scripture and that continues to enlighten and heal broken hearts wherever it is proclaimed and heard.

Thought for the Day: How have Luther’s teachings changed the world?

Matthew 22:18-21

“They answered, ‘The emperor’s.’ Then he said to them, ‘Give therefore to the emperor the things that are the emperor’s, and to God the things that are God’s.’” vs. 21

The relationship between church and state has been debated from the beginning and almost every Christian theologian has spent time sorting out its intricacies. In our country we’ve long maintained that there is a boundary between the two that shall not be violated. Frequently the words of Jesus in this text have been quoted to back that sort of strict separation…but as folks have long realized, it’s just not that simple. The big question is, “Which things that are the emperor’s are not included in those things which belong to God?” The answer is of course, “None of them…all things belong to God…including those things claimed by emperors.” In other words, the activities of both church and state cannot be separated from God’s purview. Both bishops and presidents are responsible to God! God works through both church and state to establish justice and peace through all the earth. Obviously, in practical terms, there’s been a division of responsibilities. The president will lead in matters related to governance and the rule of law. The bishop will lead in proclaiming the good news and in tending to human souls. The focus is different for the church and the state…but things go best when they work together…and things really can go wrong when either the church or the state seeks domination.

Thought for the Day: When is it proper for the church to critique the state?

Matthew 22:15-17

“Tell us, then, what you think. Is it lawful to pay taxes to the emperor, or not?” vs. 17

The Pharisees knew that if they could get Jesus to say something about taxes he’d be bound to offend someone. In those days everyone had an opinion…the people thought they were paying too much and the government kept demanding more. And now, even though times have changed, the heated conversations continue. There’s no doubt that taxation can become repressive…and corrupt leaders are regularly caught misusing taxpayer money. On the other hand as we seek to develop strong and vibrant communities with good schools and solid infrastructure it’s the duty of every citizen to participate in providing needed revenues. Followers of Jesus are deeply embedded in the world and will, like any citizen, take part in the process and gladly pay their share. It’s one of the ways in which we can pool our resources to support needed services, and also lift up the poor and the needy. We do the same in our congregations when we voluntarily offer a proportion of our income in support of our common mission and ministry. What we couldn’t possible do as individuals we are able to do when we give generously and often as part of a congregation. In these last months people have gladly given millions of dollars to support disaster relief and provide aid to those who have suffered so much. We’ve made a major difference! God has given us so much…and whether by taxes or donations, we have an obligation to share.

Thought for the Day: What percentage of my income do I voluntarily set aside for others?

1Thessalonians 1:1-10

“Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace.” vs. 1

Paul’s letter to the Thessalonians is the first of the New Testament “books” to be written and dates from about the year 51, just a little more than twenty years after Jesus’ death and resurrection. It provides a little window into the lives of early Christians and gives a sense of their delights and concerns. Paul’s choice of words in his greeting are telling, “Grace to you and peace.” Even today those words are heard in nearly every worship service…it’s the standard greeting of the Christian church. From the beginning two things have been at the center of the gospel message: an announcement of grace and the promise of peace. By faith we believe that our redemption is by the grace of God, an undeserved yet welcome gift, and that there’s nothing we need do to get it. When that grace takes root in our hearts by faith, we receive an overwhelming sense of peace, the serenity that we crave and desire above all else. Where grace and peace are present, the works of love will abound and the community will grow and prosper. Paul wants this little congregation of Gentiles to know that they are having an impact and that he is grateful beyond words for their faithfulness. And we too give thanks…these folks were there at the beginning, and through their witness, and that of countless others, the good news of grace and peace is still being heard.

Thought for the Day: What does peace feel like in my heart?