Friday, February 4, 2011

We Dare Say

"And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.' - Joel 2:32; Acts 2:21

When the prophet Joel first spoke this Word of God, the population of this planet was far less than today. Still, the promise was made.

Consider the proportions: Every last person who places their trust in the Living God will have God's salvation!

When salvation is by faith in Christ alone, there is no telling how statistics will rack up. I just took this marker off the world clock that our earth's population is 6,882,379,019

How vast is the Gospel that God should open Himself to so many.

The God of Israel never regarded Himself as provincial. He did not confine his love for the Jews alone.

"Enlarge the place of your tent, stretch your tent curtains wide, do not hold back; lengthen your cords, strengthen your stakes. For you will spread out to the right and to the left; your descendants will dispossess nations and settle in their desolate cities. "Do not be afraid; you will not suffer shame. Do not fear disgrace; you will not be humiliated. You will forget the shame of your youth and remember no more the reproach of your widowhood. For your Maker is your husband-- the LORD Almighty is his name-- the Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer; he is called the God of all the earth. Isaiah 54:2-5

Already in centuries prior to Joel, untold numbers of trusting Israelites, proselytes to Judaism, converted foreigners and former pagans found their refuge is the Lord God of Israel. All received their names written in the Lamb's book of life-listed among the righteous by faith.

God was bound by His own Word. He must justify their faith through His Son.

God cannot make such a bold declaration and then renege. His Word is unbreakable [John 10:35], and with so many relying in faith upon his promises, God delivers, all the way right down to you and me here at Grace, Auburn.

Words of Joel now echo from God's apostle, Peter, on the Day of Pentecost. "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.'

Years had passed since Joel, and a millennium of new believers have come by faith through the Word, as God approved, planned, and achieved.

Indeed, St. Peter on Pentecost announces the official accreditation:

"Men of Israel, listen to this: Jesus of Nazareth was a man accredited by God to you by miracles, wonders and signs, which God did among you through him, as you yourselves know. This man was handed over to you by God's set purpose and foreknowledge; and you, with the help of wicked men, put him to death by nailing him to the cross.

But God raised him from the dead, freeing him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him." (Acts 2:22-24)

Because God pledged that faith alone in Christ saves, he accredited the man Jesus with miracles, wonders, and signs which all augur for our faith. The preeminent miracle was his death and resurrection. Because God Himself planned the world's salvation through the cross, Jesus was nailed there for us. And because it is impossible for death to hold the Prince of Life, Christ was raised.

Indeed, because His Word cannot run out, there is no expiration date on Holy Scripture or upon your baptism.

God's Pentecost promise to you and to the world stands, "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved." People of every nation, tribe, language, and station gamble nothing when they cling to Christ. Christ is sure!

Our Christian faith is not speculation nor is Gospel “hearsay.”

It is dare say.

We dare say what no heathen ever spoke. The Lord Jesus Christ is our salvation!

We dare say what no idol, hero, or philanthropist ever could promise. Salvation is for everyone who calls upon this One Name of the Lord.

We dare say Christ is the life of the world. We dare say that everyone—utterly everyone who trusts in Christ will not be put to shame [1 Peter 2:6].

With each day the world's population swells to incomprehensible proportions. To those who look only at time and space, who fear an end to resources, inadequate stores, and shrinking land, the numbers are ominous.

Not to us. Christians see it very differently.

God's global expression of mercy is wide, deep, and generous. It has no limits, no top, and no ending. God is infinite in is love through Christ and his compassion is for all.

A mass of humanity continues to pour through the Gate by which "whoever enters will be saved." (John 10:9) The Gate, we dare say, is Christ who leads many to eternal life.

God strengthen your faith by this certain word, "Everyone—everyone--who calls on the Name of the Lord will be saved."

The patriarchs' and prophets' noble train,
With all Christ's foll'wers true,
Who washed their robes and cleansed sin's guilty stain,
Sing praises ever new!
I see them shine forever,
Resplendent as the sun,
In light diminished never,
Their glorious freedom won.

LSB 674 (vs. 3)

Wednesday, February 2, 2011

Just Words

Just words.

Think how this may be taken. Does it mean “only” words.

That’s how critics of President Obama appraised his State of the Union speech. “Just words,” they said. As from Shakespeare, Obama’s speech was “full of sound and fury, signifying nothing.” These critics meant his words were essentially empty, of no real account. He offered only words.

Now, one may disagree with any president, but to say his speech was “just words” does not so much belittle the president as it demeans the words. It counts them as merely words, disposable words.

Anyone who dismisses words as “just words” promotes an idea that true reality must be beyond words. Words, of themselves are paltry and have impact only if fortified by my opinion of them. But is this true? Are words of themselves only sounds with no substance until I invest in them a meaning I choose to give them? If so, then words are indeed “just words.”

Another take is that “just words” refers to honorable words. Here the meaning is quite opposite from a consideration which deems words neutral at best or meaningless at worst. “Just words” in this other sense refers to the nobility of words. Words are regarded as powerful in their own right, endowed not only with a capacity to carry truth but to create it. Here “just words” are something beautiful.

It was first said of Jesus at Nazareth, “All spoke well of him and marveled at the gracious words that were coming from his mouth.” (Luke 4:22) What had Jesus done at Nazareth? Had he done great, impressive acts? Had he built an industry? Had he achieved fame? Had he assembled an empire?

All he did was read in worship from the prophet Isaiah, “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor.”

“Just words.” No empire. No celebrity. No conglomerate. Just words.

The sheer volume of words conveyed in our time lead many to think we should receive them at big discount. I mean, look at what most books bring at a yard sale? Pennies at best. Bibles especially are a dime a dozen. But if words are cheep, then we in Christ’s church are impoverished.

The critic may look at the church and demand, “What have you got!” Show us your accomplishments, your exploits, talents, and successes. “What have you got?”

Just words.

It may sound foolish, but that’s how it is. All we have. Just words.

Yet, these words are not empty. Words established the cosmos (Gen. 1). Words prepared and sustained the flood survivors (Gen. 6:18). Words were God’s covenant with Abram (Gen. 15:1) Words, God's words have done it all. Just words. No collateral. No stock. No cash. No gear.

Just words.

Of all that might be dear to us, the most precious are words. Words spoken over you at your baptism declared you a child of God, a forgiven sinner and heir of heaven. Words at the altar convey bread and wine to us which communicate the living body and blood of Jesus Christ. Words deliver the forgiveness of sins. Words convert the skeptic, sustain the weary, comfort the bereaved, and raise the dead. Medicine doesn’t do this. Money doesn’t do this. Machinery doesn’t do this.

Just words.

Dearly beloved, never consider the gift of words miserable or the church feeble until it gets beyond words. The greatest spiritual fakery it to go beyond just words. The hope and security we have as Christians; the trust and the truth to which we cling is just words. A life stands or falls on words … just words.

Our foundation isn't in fortune, fame, or fanfare. The church is just words.

But oh! What words they are! “Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away,” Jesus said (Mark 13:31). Can this be said of anything else except just words? What a promise just these words deliver, “If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.” (John 15:7)

These are truly just words, words which not only carry truth but create it. Words, Christ’s words have created in you a new life. Words, just Christ’s words alone, have completed exactly what they have said and express, the forgiveness of sins for you.

And when we come to the end of our days when health, accomplishment, skill, and years fade, and someone asks you what you have left on which to ground your life, you can say …

Just words. Christ’s words are my singular blessing.

I have been born again, not of perishable seed but of imperishable, through the living and abiding word of God; for all flesh is like grass and all its glory like the flower of grass. The grass withers, and the flower falls, but the word of my Lord remains forever. And it was just this good word that was preached to me.