Confessing truth in Christ

In a theology course which includes study of the ancient creeds of the church, I invite participants to write their own confessions of faith.  I'd like to share one of those confessional writings, which stated truths of the faith in a clear and thoughtful way.

***************************

A Christian Creed

by Tim Walsh

I believe in God; God the almighty Father, God the perfect Son, and God the Holy Spirit.  These three persons are all God, and God all three of these persons – not one God wearing different masks, nor three distinct Gods, but one triune God, whose nature no one can understand.

God the Father by Cima da Conegliano, circa 1515

This triune God, present from eternity, created everything out of nothing, and the world he made was entirely perfect – in his own words, “very good.” But humanity, the crown of his creation, rebelled against him, ruining the world that God had given to us. From that time, we have been by nature sinful. By our nature we seek to serve only ourselves, and as the first man and woman did, we flee from God at his approach, fearing his holy judgment. And because of this we deserve nothing more than death, for our rejection and hatred of the one who gave us life.

But God was not willing to see us separated from him for eternity. And so in his infinite love, the Father sent his beloved Son into our world. The Son of God took on flesh and was born from a virgin, and was given the name Jesus. In him full God and full man coexisted – not by a mingling of the natures, nor by some supernatural possession, or by dividing him into two halves, but together, in a way no one can understand. This Jesus, who was called Christ, lived a perfect, holy life, and he was unjustly executed to pay for the sins of all mankind. On a Roman cross he suffered the punishment that belonged to you, and to me, and to every other person who has lived or ever will. Jesus – God himself – died on that cross, and in his death he paid the price for every sin ever committed. And he did not stay dead! On the third day, he rose from the dead, and after appearing to his followers, returned to heaven forty days later. And I believe that, just as Christ was raised from the dead, so too will I be raised on the last day.

I do not believe any of this by my own choice. Indeed, if believing were left to me, I would surely be damned, for I am a wretched, ungrateful sinner. But through no merit of my own, God chose me to be one of his beloved children. He brought me into his fold by the work of the Holy Spirit, who inspired faith in my heart through the preaching of the good news of Jesus and the washing of baptism. I could never and would never have chosen him, but he chose me.

I do not deserve any of the incredible gifts that have been showered upon me by God. Every day brings blessing after blessing, and all I can do is praise God for his grace. Likewise, when sorrow and troubles come my way, I cling to the knowledge that the gift of salvation – the greatest gift ever given – is mine. No hardship can overshadow the joy that I take from this.

As one of God’s children, my life is not my own. I belong to my Father in heaven. I want to dedicate my whole life to him, just as Christ dedicated his life to me. In everything I do, I seek his glory, not my own. My every action, every step, every breath, is an opportunity to proclaim his name and the good things he has done.

This is what I believe.

Journeying toward forgiveness

In one of my classes this summer, participants were asked to write a doctrinal or personal article, pondering some aspect of our faith in Christ.  Desiree Alge penned a very personal account and has graciously granted permission for me to share her story here on The Electric Gospel blog.  I deeply admire Desiree for her openness and willingness to talk about difficulties in life and overcoming them through Christ.

**********************

Forgiveness -- My Journey

by Desiree Alge

When children wrong their friends or their family, they are taught to apologize and ask for forgiveness. The trouble we find, though, is that it is simple to say the words, but to actually mean them is a bigger task. Sure, everyone makes mistakes, but coming clean and admitting the wrong you’ve done takes much more courage. And even harder is the challenge of forgiveness. 

Sometimes I wonder if my mother was ever taught this fundamental lesson. After a rough childhood, she chose to follow the same path as her parents, with alcohol and drugs consuming her life. This vicious cycle led her to be these same people she hated. She became a wife and a mother at sixteen, divorced at eighteen, and was sent to prison several times in her young life. Because of the custody battles, I was sent back and forth between homes until I was six years old. During those years, I was left alone for days, stranded to take care of my baby brother and sister. I was surrounded by parties with alcohol, drugs, and drunk men. I dreaded the days my grandma dropped me off with my mother, and anxiously awaited her arrival to take me home with her. Even years after, my mom bribed me with gifts, but always failed to show up after I’d be waiting on the porch for hours. I felt let down, alone, and unworthy. 

I never realized how hurt I was until I became older. Until recently, I hadn’t spoken or seen my mother in over ten years! Our first conversation left me bitter and angry. It contained no apologies or even a hint of regret. I caught myself thinking, “It’s impossible to forgive someone when they don’t even care!” 

As I was contemplating all of the mean names I could call my mother, my mind led me to the cross. If Christ had this same attitude towards me as I did towards my mom, I would be sunk. There have been so many times in my life where I’ve been defiant, knowing right from wrong, yet choosing the wrong path. I’ve also ignored repentance, thinking that, “I’m forgiven anyways, so what’s the big deal?” If God decided to forgive only based on apologies received, I would have a lot of sins still on my slate. If Jesus forgives all of the terrible sins that I’ve committed, then who am I to withhold forgiveness from a fellow sinner in desperate need of God’s love?

I am human. I am sinful. I hold bitterness in my heart. I don’t want to be a prisoner to my mother or to resentment. I don’t want her to have this hold on me. Although I may feel like I’m punishing her by withholding forgiveness, I’m actually only hurting myself. The path to heal bitterness is through forgiveness.

No one deserves for their errors to be wiped clean -- neither me nor my mother. We are on the same level of sin, no matter the earthly opinion. Whether I’m disrespectful or a liar, I deserve the same eternal punishment just like someone who neglected and abused her children. The words that stem from “forgive” are mentioned in the Bible 127 times and the concept is written many more! It is obviously a beautiful message that God wanted us to know and to live. Because of God’s forgiveness and grace, we receive eternal life! In Ephesians, it says: “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you” (Ephesians 4:32). Why wouldn’t we want to share that peace with others?

Upcoming webinar: "Teaching the Faith"

How do we go about teaching the faith to the next generation?  When I surveyed some college students and recent grads, a number of them said that they felt much of their religious education took the form of indoctrination -- aware of the negative connotations of that term.  It's not that they were objecting to biblical doctrines as such, but rather were commenting on the way the pattern of teaching felt to them.  Learners (a.k.a. disciples) of the faith desire teaching/learning opportunities that allow them to question, to discuss, to explore, to wrestle, to ponder ... even doing some of that already at elementary school levels.

I'm leading a webinar course next week (September 21-28), offered through MLC Continuing Education, that explores this issue.  You can find more details about the webinar and related online discussion by visiting the page for Continuing Ed fall offerings 2015.  Click on "webinars" and look for WEB0801 - Teaching the Faith: Will We Instruct or Indoctrinate?  (It's at the end of the webinars list.) Click "Register Now" if you wish to sign up and participate.  MLC charges a $20 fee for webinar enrollment.

- David Sellnow

Blessed are the peacemakers

It was my turn to lead chapel at our campus this week.  I led the Thursday chapel service and also the Friday chapel service, which are archived online at MLC Streams for viewing.  I've adapted the Friday morning message for a sort of "print" edition here.

******************************

BLESSED ARE THE PEACEMAKERS

by David Sellnow

"Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness" (James 3:18).

What does it mean to be a peacemaker?  Is it about negotiation, mediation, conciliation, arbitration?  I suppose if you’re a diplomat trying to resolve tensions and conflicts on this or that part of the planet, that’s what peacemakers do.  But that’s not exactly what James was writing about when he spoke of sowing peace and reaping a harvest of righteousness.

Think of the message of peace you hear in the Bible again and again.  What sort of peace is it?  Where is it found?  Let me remind you of some prominent passages:

• Psalm 29:11 … The Lord gives strength to his people; the Lord blesses his people with peace.
• Isaiah 9:6-7 …  To us a child is born, to us a son is given …  He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.  Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end.
• Isaiah 53:4-5 … [The Servant of God] was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.
• Isaiah 54:10 … “Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed,” says the Lord, who has compassion on you.
• John 14:27 … Jesus said, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”
• Romans 5:1 … Since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.
• Philippians 4:7 … The peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
• And the beginning lines of several epistles:  “Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ” (Romans, 1 Corinthians, 2 Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, 2 Thessalonians, Philemon).

Peace comes from God, from the Lord Jesus Christ.  Peace was brought into the world for us by Jesus Christ.  True peace, lasting peace, saving peace is what God gives us in Christ.  It is just as the angels announced when Jesus was born into this world for us, saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests” (Luke 2:14).

So again, when James says, “Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness” (James 3:18), remember that he’s writing to us as “believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ” (James 2:1).  The peace we sow is the peace that comes from Christ.  The righteousness we reap is the righteousness found in Christ.

In tangible terms, how do you sow peace day by day?  How do you act as a peacemaker?

Well, it starts with talking to people.  It starts with greeting people, caring about people, getting to know people.  The early church had a tradition of the kiss of peace.  At the end of several of the epistles in the New Testament, God’s people are encouraged, “Greet one another with a holy kiss” (Romans, 1 & 2 Corinthians, 1 Thessalonians).  Maybe you’d think a kiss in church would be weird – it’s not your cultural custom.  But the point is to connect with each other, to relate to each other, to be encouragers of one another in Christ.  A hug, a kiss, a handshake, an arm around someone’s shoulder – along with the reassurance of peace and love and hope in Jesus – that’s how we are peacemakers with one another. 

As Christians living in community with one another and with other neighbors, does it happen that sometimes we don’t even take the time or the care to introduce ourselves to each other?  At school or at work, we don’t go over to sit at lunch with someone we haven’t met before.  In the neighborhood, we avoid interactions more often than we befriend and connect with others.  In the community, we pass each other in our cars on the street or with our carts in the stores, but maybe not much more.  I know; I understand.  We’re all so very busy.  We all have so much work and so many tasks to do.  But what is our first calling to one another?  Is it not to be peacemakers – to be peace-bringers – to be gospel encouragers to one another day by day, sharing the peace of Jesus?   Paul put it to us this way:  “Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. … Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom” (Colossians 3:15-16).   The Bible tells us to “carry each other’s burdens” (Galatians 6:2), to “encourage one another and build each other up” (1 Thessalonians 5:11).  Day by day, in the midst of each day’s business and busyness, Jesus is calling us to be peacemakers in his name, to sow seeds of his peace, his hope, his love, his forgiveness.  As we do so, the Spirit of God produces a harvest of righteousness in our lives and in our relationships with one another.

I urge you to follow up on this message with intentional action.  To those you know and those you don’t yet know, keep reaching out with a hand of fellowship, with a kiss of peace, with the love of Christ.  You are peacemakers to one another and to all the world in his name.  

Looking ahead to Advent

In recent years, Martin Luther College has developed some booklets of seasonal devotions.  (You can access them online).

For the upcoming Advent season, MLC will be producing a sort of "Advent calendar" booklet of devotions -- a devotion for each day of December leading up to Christmas.

I was asked to arrange authors for this year's booklet.  A variety of writers who've worked with me have participated in the project.  As a sneak peek preview, I'll share one of the devotional messages here at this time.  When the project is published in a few months, I'll share further information.

The following message was written by Kaylee Messman.  You might be interested also in visiting Kaylee's Bookmarks and Coffee Mugs blog, where she shares thoughts and reviews for book lovers.

********************

Come to Me

by Kaylee Messman

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls” (Matthew 11:28–29).

The opening scene of the classic Christmas movie It’s a Wonderful Life takes place on Christmas Eve 1945. A depressed George Bailey is standing on a bridge, contemplating taking his own life. The burdens of the world have caught up to him and have driven him to the edge. Instead of being at home celebrating the season with his wife and children, George is teetering on the edge, about to succumb to the weight of this sinful world.

            There are times when we are like George Bailey. We live in a sinful world that often throws situations our way that can be too big for us to handle alone. Like George, we sometimes lose sight of the best message of Christmas, which is rest for our souls that can only be found in Christ Jesus.  The “weary and burdened” nature of life Jesus spoke about was the hurt, the frustrations, and life’s hardness that weigh us down as direct and indirect results of living as sinners in a sinful world.  He promises that if we bring our problems to him in prayer, he will provide the solution.  What George Bailey’s daughter kept playing on the piano is the message we need most of all:  “Peace on earth and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled.”  Jesus—and only Jesus—provides the comfort and rest our souls need.

Heavenly Father, when life becomes too much for us, lead us to come to you in prayer and lay our burdens at your feet. Grant us the peace that comes from your Son’s birth and the comfort he promised us in his word. In your name we pray. Amen.