Unity

Newsletter article for May 2004

© 2004 by Rev. Paul A. Wolff

“How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity!” (Psalm 133:1)

It is no big secret that there is a decided lack of unity at St. Timothy Lutheran Church. This certainly cannot please God, who wishes unity among His people just as He has unity in Himself as Father, Son and Holy Spirit. The blessings of unity are obvious. Peace and harmony among God’s people is certainly “good and pleasant” as David writes in the Psalm. The curses of disunity are also obvious. Anger, distrust, accusations and similar things are very unsettling and difficult to deal with. Everyone can agree that unity is better than disunity, but then we must ask, “What is the basis for this unity?”

The Formula of Concord was written around 1580 during a time of disunity in the church. It sought to explain what ought to be the basis for unity in the church. The Formula goes on at length discussing several issues about which there had been disagreements, but a simple summary about what brings about true unity in the church is found in Article X where it says that there should be unity among Christians “as long as there is mutual agreement in doctrine and in all its articles as well as in the right use of the holy sacraments.” The true unity in the Christian church is found in agreement with the teachings of Holy Scripture, no less, and no more.

This should first make perfect sense to us because Holy Scripture is God’s Word, and if we cannot agree about the truth of God’s Word, then either one or both of the parties in the dispute have put themselves in opposition to God. There can never be peace when people set themselves against God, even when there is agreement to disagree about the truth of God’s Word.

It would seem a simple thing to base unity on agreement about the doctrinal teachings of God’s Word, and it would be, but for the interference of sin. Because all people are sinners we don’t want to believe what God tells us. We would rather seek to justify ourselves rather than admit that we are wrong and submit to our Lord’s instruction. This is why Jesus prayed to God the Father, “May [those who believe in me] be brought to complete unity to let the world know that You sent me and have loved them even as You have loved me.” (John 17:23) Jesus knew that believers are sinners and need God to bring them to “complete unity.” Christ’s purpose for this unity is so that unbelievers would know that Jesus has been sent by God to bring forgiveness and salvation to them so that they would trust in Him and be saved.

St. Paul encouraged the church in Ephesus when He wrote, “Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit– just as you were called to one hope when you were called– one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.” (Eph. 4:3-6) Here again, the basis for our unity is in the true teachings of God’s Word. Scripture teaches that there is only one Lord, and there is only one saving faith in that Lord, and one Holy Baptism where that Lord makes us His own people because God is Lord of all. To deny the Lord’s means of grace is to deny Him, and to deny Him is to cause disunity and discord, and, given what Jesus said above, lead people away from their Savior toward their condemnation.

Fortunately Jesus has taken steps to prevent this. He has provided us with shepherds to keep us on the path that leads to eternal life. St. Paul again says, “It was [Christ] who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.” (Eph. 4:11-13) Here again, the unity comes through the “one faith” in Jesus Christ, and “the knowledge of the Son of God”. This “knowledge” refers to the correct teaching of Scriptural doctrine. This is one of the main reasons why the Lutheran Church insists on an educated clergy. Pastors need to remain faithful to God’s Word so that they can keep Christ’s sheep headed in the proper direction. The “rod and staff” of the shepherd is a comfort in Psalm 23 because the shepherd leads us “through the valley of the shadow of death” in safety as we follow Christ to salvation.

May God bless the Pastor of our congregation to show us the true path to salvation as God gives us in Holy Scripture, and may God bless the congregation to hear with the ears of little children (Matt. 18:3) so that they may dwell in unity in Christ’s Kingdom.

Lessons Amidst Tragedy

Newsletter article for June 2001

© 2001 by Rev. Paul A. Wolff

I’m sure by now most of you who get this newsletter have heard about the accident where a car crashed through and destroyed our fifth and sixth grade classroom on the day before Easter. I have been thinking about what I can learn from this incident, and what we as a congregation and school community can, or perhaps should, learn from this.

If you saw the aftermath from the accident, or if you have seen the photographs of the wreckage you know that this kind of incident is extremely unsettling. Possible reactions to this include anger that someone would lose control of a car and cause so much damage. Another possible reaction is fear. Could such an accident happen in broad daylight when children are in the classroom? Such reactions are quite disturbing. Is there something we can we learn from this tragedy without being overcome with anger or fear?

The day after the accident was Easter Sunday, and I reworked the Easter sermon to try to put it into perspective. In a message which kind of had the theme, “What could have been … but wasn’t” I noted that viewing the damage which was at the time still very much in evidence, it was easy to imagine what could have been. However, that way of thinking isn’t always constructive (except when planning to rebuild with more protection for our precious children). Especially on Easter Sunday a better way of viewing this is to focus on what didn’t happen. No children had been in that room for two days, so none of our students were even close to being injured, and they remain safe and secure to this day. Even the driver of the car was spared, which must be considered a miracle (especially if you saw the damage).

We can view the death of Jesus in the same way. The crucifixion of our Lord was a great tragedy, but think about what could have been. It should have been each one of us paying the price for our sins for the rest of eternity, but because of Jesus, that won’t happen. All who trust in Jesus will never be punished for their sins, but will look forward to a resurrection and eternal life just as Christ himself enjoys today.

Another lesson from this accident focuses on the driver of the car which crashed into our building. I would like to meet this man and give him a message. This may not be the same message as you would give to the man, especially if your children were students in the destroyed classroom, but I have a potentially life-changing message to give. I would tell the man who survived this accident that it is truly a pleasure to be able to meet him. Given the force of the impact no one should be able to meet him ever again. God must have something great planned for him to have spared his life after coming so close to death. I hope he appreciates it. Of course this message comes with a warning: Whether this crash was truly an accident, or whether it was an inevitable consequence of foolish actions, this should be a clear warning to avoid being in a similar situation again. The next time someone will surely die. But God is a merciful God, slow to anger and abounding in love. God often gives people second chances, and for that we should praise our savior, Jesus Christ.

Christ’s death and resurrection are the best signs of God giving us second chances. None of us should take them for granted. Not all of us have had near-death experiences, nor should we tempt fate by requiring such things to make us trust in God and give Him the credit and praise He deserves. What can someone say who survived such an accident except that “God has graciously spared my life, and I will praise Him for as long as I live, and even forever, should He give me the chance. And I know He will, because of Jesus.” To say anything else is to invite disaster. God is a patient God, but His patience is not infinite. I would like this fortunate man to know that God has great things in store for his life, and I pray that he appreciates that and takes advantage of this opportunity. It doesn’t matter whether this accident was out of his control, or self inflicted, this man can still give a powerful testimony of God’s gracious love, and God seems committed to giving this man at least one more chance to accomplish great things through Jesus Christ.

For the rest of us, we too, ought not to take for granted the second chance we have in Christ. Without Christ none of us would have any hope whatsoever of enjoying the bliss of God’s paradise. But because of what Christ has done for us, He gives us the whole world for free, forever. We all should act as if we have been miraculously spared certain death, because we have. We all were under a death sentence from God because of our sin, but Jesus spared us by dying in our place. God has great things planned for your life too, so put your trust in Jesus and give God all the credit and praise, and humbly serve Him in all you do.

Lenten Blessings to You from God

Newsletter article for March 2001

© 2001 by Rev. Paul A. Wolff

“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” (2 Timothy 3:16-17)

Lent is a time where some Christians fast or give up something cherished (usually a food) in order to grow in their Spiritual life. Others may use this time as a convenient time to go on a diet and lose some excess weight. The temptation in either case is to rely on the strength of our own willpower and determination to see us through the tough times to the end. If we succumb to the temptation it is obviously sinful because if we succeed in our fast then we will take the credit for ourselves, rather than praising God for His grace and strength.

If we truly wish to grow Spiritually then we may wish to heed the message of 2 Tim. 3:16 (above). God does want us to train ourselves in righteousness and good works, but the tool He has given us to use is not our own strength of will, but Holy Scripture. The Holy Scriptures are not primarily a rule book, above all they tell us about how God has saved us from our sins through the obedient life and innocent death of Jesus Christ. However, the Holy Bible does also teach us the things that God wants us to do in our lives (summarized by the Ten Commandments). Scripture also rebukes us or reprimands us when we disobey God’s commands, and it corrects our erring ways. Then Scripture can also train us in righteousness by illuminating the right path that God wishes us to walk (Psalm 119:105).

It is enough for our salvation to hear God’s word and believe it. Jesus said, “Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved.” (Mark 16:16) But God also wants our lives to be filled with His blessings, and free from the consequences of sin. Our lives will never be completely free from sin, but God wants to fill our lives with His love so that we may be a blessing to others and also lead them to eternal salvation in Christ. One day when someone tried to exalt His mother for having given birth to Him, Jesus replied, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it.” (Luke 11:28)

Since God’s Word is so important for not only bringing us eternal salvation in Christ, but also for guiding our actions along a God-pleasing path, then perhaps it would be beneficial to you this Lenten season to devote some time each day to studying God’s Word. The potential benefits are much greater than if you just relied on self-determination to go without a cherished food item. However, if you also wish to have a fast this Lent, then perhaps you will also be strengthened in this task through God’s Word, and the work of the Holy Spirit through His Word. Then when you are finished you will almost certainly be strengthened in your faith and you will give greater praise and glory to God.

As you study God’s Word here is something from the Formula of Concord (Article XI § 12) which may be good to keep in mind: “All Scripture, inspired by God should minister not to security and impenitence but ‘to reproof, correction, and improvement.’ Furthermore, everything in the Word of God is written down for us, not for the purpose of thereby driving us to despair but in order that ‘by steadfastness, by the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.’ From this it is beyond all doubt that the true understanding or the right use of the teaching of God’s eternal foreknowledge will in no way cause or support either impenitence or despair. So, too, Scripture presents this doctrine in no other way than to direct us thereby to the Word, to admonish us to repent, to urge us to godliness, to strengthen our faith and to assure us of our salvation.”

May God bless your Lenten devotions.