Forgiving Little in the Midst of Being Forgiven Much

"Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger ... " Eph 4:26 (ESV)
Be angry and do not sin. Do not let the sun go down on your anger. Ephesians 4:6
When dealing with the faults and failings of others. Go into your closest and say your “Our Father”, and when you get to the petition wherein you ask, “forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us,” you must remember that God has forgiven you much more, and daily forgives you much more, than your neighbor could ever possibly sin against you.”
Martin Luther
Sermon on Trinity 20, Ephesians 5

YOUR WORSHIP: IS IT OF GOD OR OF SELF?

“Worship is not a function of the mouth but of the whole body.
It is to bow the head, bend the body, fall on the knees, prostrate one's self, and so forth, and to do such things as a sign and acknowledgment of an authority and power greater than self. Just as people bow in one form or another in silence before secular princes and Lords, and just as popes, bishops, abbots, and people generally, have themselves honored and adored by bowing and kneeling, and so forth.
Such outward adoration of the bending of the body is what the Scriptures really mean by worship. We read in the Scriptures that worship or adoration is rendered outwardly both to God and to kings without distinction, just as bowing and kneeling are still rendered outwardly both to God and to men.
From this understanding of outward worship you will also understand what Christ meant by true spiritual worship. “But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him. God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.” John 4:23-24 (ESV) It is the adoration or bowing of the heart that Jesus refers to here, so that from the bottom of your heart you are to thereby show and confess yourself to be God’s subordinate creature who owes all to Him.
For from this you see that true worship can only arise from faith; it is faith's sublime activity with respect to God. For no one is able to offer such heartfelt confession, adoration, bending, and bowing of the heart (or whatever you want to call it) before God in his heart, unless he unwaveringly believes and holds God Almighty to be his Lord and Father, from whom he receives and will receive all good things, and through whom, without any merit or worthiness on his part, he is redeemed and preserved from all sins and evil.” Martin Luther (Excerpted from Treasury of Daily Prayer CPH)
In all that the church would establish as corporate worship (worship of the whole body of Christ as one), it must be above all else a matter of bowing both body and soul before the Lord in the rhythm of His speaking and His body responding to Him who alone gives them life. Even as our Lord began this rhythm at the moment of creation where He spoke and creation responded. This rhythm continues through the flow of the Holy Scriptures and even today as we gather for worship and depart out into the world.
In our forms and styles of worship there is freedom. But in no part of what of what we would call worship, can we free ourselves from the belief and confession that we poor miserable sinners and gathered before the most gracious and redeeming God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. If worship is to be an expression of a believer’s faith in this reality, then in no part of true worship can anyone expect the content or style of worship to bow to them before they will participate in it.
What then are we to make of those who would put conditions and terms (on the style or content of worship) that must be met before they will participate in worship services, devotions, and prayer? Well, it can be rightly call worship, but in no way it is a worship of the one true God. All such worship is nothing other than a worship of self and the expectation that the Church and God Almighty should bow to their desires and whims before they will grant the favor of their presence and praise.
Again it needs to be said: “... the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him. God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.” John 4:23-24 (ESV)

WHAT MAKES FOR TRUE HOLINESS

“God’s Word is holy and makes holy those it touches. Yes, it is the holiness of god Himself… this holiness is true holiness and the true salve that anoints unto eternal life even if you … must live and die a plain, unadorned human life just as the babies (and all of us) are baptized naked and without adornment.” - Martin Luther

To often in the life of the church, her pastors and lay leaders turn to many different things in hopes that they might help people increase or grow in the faith and holiness of life and living. The critical question every pastor or lay person must ask is a simple one: “Does this teach and enable me to believe, to learn to love God, praise God, and live in holiness?” Only the Word of God can do these things. Jesus (the Word made flesh), states it plainly, “Apart from me you can do nothing.”
Much that is used in the quest of holiness, in the end is nothing more than religiousness. It turns the laity and the pastorate into the friends of Job. The friends of Job were loving, sympathetic, empathetic and dedicated to their friend. They spoke some of the most religious words possible to their friend in hopes of comforting and consoling him in this despair. Yet for all their religious talk, Job was not comforted and the Lord had this to say to his friends:
“After the Lord had spoken these words to Job, the Lord said to Eliphaz the Temanite: “My anger burns against you and against your two friends, for you have not spoken of me what is right, as my servant Job has.” Job 42:7 (ESV)

May the Lord ever guide us in the ways of HIS Holiness.

STEP INTO THE DARK

Please pray that the Lord would enable the pure Word of the Gospel to be heard by the Youth of our churches and nation. The following is a poem written by one such youth:

STEP INTO THE DARK
Step into the dark where no one can see
Step into the dark where all you see is me
Step into the dark where there is suffering and pain
Step into the dark where not a single person knows your name
Step into the dark where the only color is black
Step into the dark where love is a mystermystery
Step into the dark where real men don’t come back
Step into the dark where no one leaves tracks
Step into the dark where hell is a block away
Step into the dark where you might brighten my day
by John M.
from "hurt - inside the world of today's teenagers"
by Chap Clark
Baker Academic

Be changed by God’s Word. Don’t let the Word be changed.

This is an excellent response to the decision by the ELCA's decision open the ministry of the ELCA to gay and lesbian pastors and other professional workers living in "committed relationships.

TO CHANGE OR NOT TO CHANGE, THAT WAS THE QUESTION
by Pastor Jaynan L. Clark
(WordAlone Network president)
August 23, 2009
To all believers, not just Lutherans, and to all not-yet believers in Jesus Christ: Have ears to hear!
It is very important for you to hear today that Jesus died for you to save you from your sin through repentance, forgiveness and new life, which are true freedom in Him.
That is the message and the calling for the church. That is not up for a vote.
The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America cannot change the need for repentance and forgiveness by a vote to accept homosexual behavior as it did during its assembly this week.
Only the arrogant, the ignorant and those led astray would believe such.
Luther never wanted a church named after him. I’m doubtful he would want these actions connected to his name. The ELCA has put a stain on the fabric of all churches that carry Luther’s name.
Instead of questioning the Bible from their perspective, churches should let the Bible question them, their perspectives, experiences and actions.
Hear also, Lutherans, and all other, Christians, how important it is to distinguish the human institution from the true church of God. Lutherans from the time of the Reformation have believed that the organization exists “for good order.”
Luther’s last stand was based on the Word of God and on sound reason. He was not convinced otherwise then, we in WordAlone are not convinced now.
When God said, “I am who I am.” He meant it, not “I am who you want me to be” or “who you want to remake me to be.” God and His Word are the authority over all of faith and life.
God’s Word is not up for a vote and, remember, He always gets the last word because He alone is eternal.
The ELCA assembly has now voted against the authoritative Word of God. The assembly has swapped His Word for human words that are neither based on sound reason or good order. In fact, the assembly voted against the Word of God, sound reason and the good order of creation.
That is not only not Lutheran, it is not Christian and it is not the work of the church but of a misguided , shrinking, sideline denomination whose leadership’s ears cannot hear and can no longer even discern or recognize, let alone revere, God’s direct warning and intervention.
God will not be mocked.
Steeples fall, the cross hangs upside down, the tables are overturned and the ELCA leadership pushes forward a human agenda and dismisses God’s clear directive and the churches’ long history of teachings. So, is what was passed now to be taught to our children?
Is this what Jesus’ love that “knows no bounds” really means? So what is it the ELCA will say “no” to? Are there any boundaries? That type of faulty parenting should bring to our door the Christian equivalent of child protective services. We are leading Jesus’ children astray.
Is the ELCA saying “no” to Jesus, to the Bible, to the historical teaching of the church, to those who stand only on the Word of God and to the Confessions of the Lutheran Church but not to desires, and experiences of homosexual behavior?
This is really an old, old story . . . as old as the debate over the apple itself. As it was then, it shall always be that when humans are faced with doing either what they want to do or what God tells them to do, we “fall.” It is the same old sin—self over God and His Word.
Swapping Jesus’ story for its own will have consequences for the ELCA.
But the end of this story is the beginning of another that witnesses to the One who is eternally to be known as the Crucified One because, as we have witnessed, even this church continues pounding the spikes into His scarred hands.
As the eternally Risen One, bearing the scars of our sin, He promises not to abandon but to abide and to raise up a faithful remnant to join with the vast majority of the faithful Lutherans worldwide.
We are not Lutheran orphans, because we stand with all the other Lutheran bodies who still believe in the authority of God’s Word and with the whole Holy Christian Church.
Be changed by God’s Word. Don’t let the Word be changed.

Here is the link: http://www.wordalone.org/nr/change-or-not.shtml
Here is the link to the LCMS response: http://www.lcms.org/pages/internal.asp?NavID=15620

TEMPTATIONS - Large Catechism -

106] This, then, is leading us not into temptation, to wit, when He gives us power and strength to resist, the temptation, however, not being taken away or removed. For while we live in the flesh and have the devil about us, no one can escape temptation and allurements; and it cannot be otherwise than that we must endure trials, yea, be engulfed in them; but we pray for this, that we may not fall and be drowned in them.
107] To feel temptation is therefore a far different thing from consenting or yielding to it. We must all feel it, although not all in the same manner, but some in a greater degree and more severely than others; as, the young suffer especially from the flesh, afterwards, they that attain to middle life and old age, from the world, but others who are occupied with spiritual matters, that is, strong Christians, from the devil.
108] But such feeling, as long as it is against our will and we would rather be rid of it, can harm no one. For if we did not feel it, it could not be called a temptation. But to consent thereto is when we give it the reins and do not resist or pray against it.
109] Therefore we Christians must be armed and daily expect to be incessantly attacked, in order that no one may go on in security and heedlessly, as though the devil were far from us, but at all times expect and parry his blows. For though I am now chaste, patient, kind, and in firm faith, the devil will this very hour send such an arrow into my heart that I can scarcely stand. For he is an enemy that never desists nor becomes tired, so that when one temptation ceases, there always arise others and fresh ones.
110] Accordingly, there is no help or comfort except to run hither and to take hold of the Lord’s Prayer, and thus speak to God from the heart: Dear Father, Thou hast bidden me pray; let me not relapse because of temptations. Then you will see that they must desist, and finally acknowledge themselves conquered.
111] Else if you venture to help yourself by your own thoughts and counsel, you will only make the matter worse and give the devil more space. For he has a serpent’s head, which if it gain an opening into which he can slip, the whole body will follow without check. But prayer can prevent him and drive him back.

Triglot - Large Catechism: Lord's Prayer - Sixth Petition.
http://www.lcms.org/graphics/assets/media/LCMS/TrigBOC.pdf

Short and Good Counsel

for those who are in

Deep Straits and Grievous Temptation.

By Wilhelm Loehe
SEED GRAINS OF PRAYER – A Manuel for Evangelical Christians

1. Do not stand alone, nor govern yourself according to your feelings; for he that depends upon his own heart is a fool.
2. Do not dwell upon your own thoughts nor sink and entangle yourself into them, lest you cast yourself into the camp of the enemy that besieges your soul.
3. Do not keep your sufferings to yourself, but seek and confide fully and quickly in your more experienced pastor. Listen to his counsel if it be Biblical, for his calling to is to serve your eternal welfare above all else.
4. Cleave unto the words which are spoken to You in God's name.
   a. Consider them in Your heart.
   b. Repeat them again and again and direct the thoughts and emotions of Your heart to them.
5. Especially, let nothing make You forget nor doubt these three passages:
   a. The word of Isaiah, 49:14-16 concerning God’s faithful remembrance of us:
   But Zion said, "The Lord has forsaken me; my Lord has forgotten me." "Can a woman forget her nursing child, that she should have no compassion on the son of her womb? Even these may forget, yet I will not forget you. Behold, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands; your walls are continually before me.
   b. The word according to John 10:28; concerning the security of the soul in the hands of Jesus: I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand.
   c. The word according to Matthew 10:28-31; concerning the security of the body in the hands of Jesus : And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell. Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.
6. In moments of sore temptation, above all other times, do not neglect not the preaching and your hearing of the gospel, which is the power of God, strengthening and rejoicing the soul.
7. Neglect not to pray, even if it seem unto you as if you were attempting to pull a load that is too heavy. Consider the James exhortation, “Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praise.” James 5:13 Makes sure to pray and meditate upon these Psalms: Psalm 51:12-14 & Psalm 142
8. When You feel as if courage were at an end, begin to sing Psalms and spiritual hymns. This is very offensive to Satan and exerts a wonderful power upon troubled souls. Especially to be recommended are the Hymns of Praise. The hymn prayer of praise will often attain what no prayer of entreating and often empty sighs of woe may gain. At times it immediately draws one out of his distress. If You can not yourself sing, let others sing for You.
9. When You pray take heed lest You in any wise desire to be released of Your trial without or against the will of God being fully accomplished through it. Say joyfully, or at least firmly, "If I shall drink this cup, dear Father, let Your will be done in me while living through Your will."
10. Do not for one moment conceive that You are the only one under so great trial. In Peter's first epistle 4:12, you learn that such trials are common; and, in the same epistle, 5:8, 9, that like sufferings come upon your brothers and sisters which are which are in the world.
    When a person begins to imagine that he or she alone is suffering, or that their sufferings are greater or more unique than those of others, it is a sign of secret vanity and pride.
11. You should thank God for visiting you through temptation. Temptation teaches and instructs the believer to give heed unto the Word, and blessed is the man that endureth. (James 1:2, 4:12.)
    Many a person, if they but knew how great a good is hidden under their trials, would gladly give up all their days of earthly joy for them.
12. Meet Your temptations not idly. Idleness breeds and multiplies many temptations which would have had no opportunity if one were busy, nor will such temptations long abode if one is busy with the vocations God has given them at home, work, church or where.
    Small is the hope for recovery of an able person tempted, if, when temptation comes, that person leaves the work of their calling undone or but half-done.
13. When You art tempted, flee from solitude and seek the companionship of godly, joyful people. Few people can, without injury to themselves, live in solitude with temptation. While bad company breeds bad temptations and behaviors, good company is a wellspring of strength in the midst of temptation and Godly behavior. God created people for each other.
14. Consider these recommendations diligently. Let them guide and comfort You ; and may God grant You peace. Amen.

FORGIVING IN THE CONTEXT OF FORGIVENESS

Many find it so very hard to forgive others because the wrong done against them seems too great. However great the the injury or the hurt may be to self, it is but one thing. In the Our Father, we petition that we be forgiven of all our sins, and this often without any inventory of our offenses.
When forgiving another seems too great, to much for you to do, consider the reality that God has forgiven you far more than the single offense done to you. Consider further that each day your heavenly Father forgives you much more than any one person could ever possibly sin against you in their entire life time.

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.
Col 3:12-13 (ESV)

The Necessity of Christian Dogma

Loving Christian Dogma and believing its vital role in all teaching and preaching, I offer these two quotes from Dorothy Sayers. The truth she states is timeless. Enjoy!!!

“It is worse than useless for Christians to talk about the importance of Christian morality, unless they are prepared to take their stand upon the fundamentals of Christian theology. It is a lie to say that dogma does not matter; it matters enormously …. It is absolutely impossible to teach Christianity without teaching Christian dogma.”
“Theologically, this country is at present in a state of utter chaos, established in the name of religious toleration, and rapidly degenerating into the flight from reason and the death of hope. We are not happy in this condition and there are signs of a very great eagerness, especially among the younger people, to find a creed to which they can give wholehearted adherence …. The reason why the Churches are discredited today is not that they are too bigoted about theology, but that they have run away from theology.”
Dorothy Sayers, Christian Letters to a Post-Christian World
(Grand Rapids: Eerdmans) 31-32.

HYMN TO GOD THE FATHER

Thanks be to God for the blessings of the book: TREASURY OF DAILY PRAYER by CPH.
I commend this glorious selection from the July 11th reading:

HYMN TO GOD THE FATHER
Wilt Thou forgive that sin where I begun,
Which was my sin, though it were done before? .
Wilt Thou forgive that sin through which I run,
And do run still, though still I do deplore?
When Thou hast done, Thou hast not done;
For I have more.
Wilt Thou forgive that sin which I have won others to sin,
and made my sin their door?
Wilt Thou forgive that sin which I did shun a year or two,
but wallowed in, a score? .
When Thou hast done, Thou hast not done;
For I have more.
I have a sin of fear, that when I have spun my last thread,
I shall perish on the shore;
But swear by Thyself, that at my death Thy Son
Shall shine as He shines now, and heretofore:
And, having done that, Thou hast done;
I fear no more.
–John Donne