All of us watched with horror a couple of weeks ago when the events in Tucson unfolded. If we didn't watch the news, it wasn't long before the word got out that another senseless event took place that claimed the lives of innocent people. It's not the first time, nor will it be the last, that a misguided person will do such unspeakable things. It happens all the time. We don't have to look outside the borders of our country to see it happen. When we are honest with ourselves, we don't even have to look outside of ourselves to see such darkness. Even as new creatures in Christ, the darkness within is real and destructive. If we are not diligent in seeking God's help, we are capable of hurting others. We might not shoot someone literally but we have a tendency to collude with darkness. We need the help of God Himself to overcome such sin and evil.
he Bible makes it clear that sin is real, evil is destructive and we will always encounter the devastating effects of each. All of us who are believers are not immune from this darkness. If there is any goodness in us at all, it is the presence of the Holy Spirit. As disciples (followers of Jesus) we are called to let His light shine forth in the darkness. Our opening prayer in worship this past weekend reminded us that we are called to be "illumined by Word and Sacrament." This is an ancient truth, ever new, ever renewing.
Unfortunately Satan is real and active. Sometimes he even gets a foothold in the teaching of those in the church. I read with dismay this week a sermon from a preacher where he proclaimed that pastors are to "preach and teach both new and ancient truths." If you're not careful, this seems right. Truth always sets us free, as Jesus told us. But when you look more carefully at that statement, one might ask, "what is this new truth?" The ancient truth is the revealed Word of God. It is unchanging and yet it changes us. A new truth? One can only speculate on what that means. Who determines this "new truth?" What happens when the "new truth" supplants the ancient truth of God's Word? Should we just say "tough, this makes sense to us, therefore we'll go ahead and replace the "out of touch truth?" It reminds me of the post-modern mindset I heard proclaimed on a morning news show the other day when the interviewer proclaimed that someone had discovered "her truth." Her truth? Does that mean I have my truth, you have yours, and they are both true? What happens when your truth denies my truth? Which truth wins? It makes no sense.
Here's the deal: we have one Truth. The Truth that is revealed in God's Holy Word. Sometimes that Truth comforts us. Sometimes it gets "all in our business," but it always sets us free. The sermon preached that proclaims a "new truth" is simply heresy. It's wrong. And it's dangerous. It leads people to believe that Truth isn't objective and it changes with a shifting and changing culture. It sets no one free but actually binds people to an ancient lie. We are best served when we recognize the subtle shift in language from those who would attempt to discard the ancient Truth with something that is more palatable for post-modern people.
There is no doubt that we live in challenging times. But God is good. And He is sovereign. God's Word never dies, no does it ever change. The events in Tucson remind us that our world is a dangerous place. Let us not seek a "new truth" that will do nothing for those who are without hope, it will never set anyone free, and it will lead to a further sense of hopelessness. Let us hold on to those ancient words that have set us free. I'll pray for the preacher who is leading others to a false sense of hope. You pray for me that I will always be true to God's Word, given to the apostles and us that still set sets us free.
Holy words long preserved
for our walk in this world,
They resound with God's own heart.
Oh let the ancient words impart
Words of Life, words of Hope
Give us strength, help us cope
In this world, where e'er we roam
Ancient words will guide us Home.
Ancient words ever true
Changing me and changing you,
We have come with open hearts
Oh let the ancient words impart
Holy words of our Faith
Handed down to this age
Came to us through sacrifice
Oh heed the faithful words of Christ.
Holy words long preserved
For our walk in this world.
They resound with God's own heart
Oh let the ancient words impart.
We have come with open hearts
Oh let the ancient words impart
he Bible makes it clear that sin is real, evil is destructive and we will always encounter the devastating effects of each. All of us who are believers are not immune from this darkness. If there is any goodness in us at all, it is the presence of the Holy Spirit. As disciples (followers of Jesus) we are called to let His light shine forth in the darkness. Our opening prayer in worship this past weekend reminded us that we are called to be "illumined by Word and Sacrament." This is an ancient truth, ever new, ever renewing.
Unfortunately Satan is real and active. Sometimes he even gets a foothold in the teaching of those in the church. I read with dismay this week a sermon from a preacher where he proclaimed that pastors are to "preach and teach both new and ancient truths." If you're not careful, this seems right. Truth always sets us free, as Jesus told us. But when you look more carefully at that statement, one might ask, "what is this new truth?" The ancient truth is the revealed Word of God. It is unchanging and yet it changes us. A new truth? One can only speculate on what that means. Who determines this "new truth?" What happens when the "new truth" supplants the ancient truth of God's Word? Should we just say "tough, this makes sense to us, therefore we'll go ahead and replace the "out of touch truth?" It reminds me of the post-modern mindset I heard proclaimed on a morning news show the other day when the interviewer proclaimed that someone had discovered "her truth." Her truth? Does that mean I have my truth, you have yours, and they are both true? What happens when your truth denies my truth? Which truth wins? It makes no sense.
Here's the deal: we have one Truth. The Truth that is revealed in God's Holy Word. Sometimes that Truth comforts us. Sometimes it gets "all in our business," but it always sets us free. The sermon preached that proclaims a "new truth" is simply heresy. It's wrong. And it's dangerous. It leads people to believe that Truth isn't objective and it changes with a shifting and changing culture. It sets no one free but actually binds people to an ancient lie. We are best served when we recognize the subtle shift in language from those who would attempt to discard the ancient Truth with something that is more palatable for post-modern people.
There is no doubt that we live in challenging times. But God is good. And He is sovereign. God's Word never dies, no does it ever change. The events in Tucson remind us that our world is a dangerous place. Let us not seek a "new truth" that will do nothing for those who are without hope, it will never set anyone free, and it will lead to a further sense of hopelessness. Let us hold on to those ancient words that have set us free. I'll pray for the preacher who is leading others to a false sense of hope. You pray for me that I will always be true to God's Word, given to the apostles and us that still set sets us free.
Holy words long preserved
for our walk in this world,
They resound with God's own heart.
Oh let the ancient words impart
Words of Life, words of Hope
Give us strength, help us cope
In this world, where e'er we roam
Ancient words will guide us Home.
Ancient words ever true
Changing me and changing you,
We have come with open hearts
Oh let the ancient words impart
Holy words of our Faith
Handed down to this age
Came to us through sacrifice
Oh heed the faithful words of Christ.
Holy words long preserved
For our walk in this world.
They resound with God's own heart
Oh let the ancient words impart.
We have come with open hearts
Oh let the ancient words impart
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