Bloghardt's Reflector

Now before we judge this young man, let’s be aware of the rampant ignorance and apathy in the church.  Such theological swords that would invite heresy and false doctrine into the front door of even Lutheran Churches.

So.. What’s your answer to his question?  What does your church believe?   Why are you a Lutheran?  

 “I just love Jesus” is not enough.  The Buddhist love Jesus.  The Mormons do too.  They aren’t even Christians!  So, why do you believe what you believe?  

This Reformation Day, I challenge you to take the time to learn why you are a Lutheran.  Learn more specifically what you believe and why.  Be able to answers the questions for the salvation of those around you.

I converted from Roman Catholicism.  I converted because the Lutheran Faith confesses what Scripture gives them to confess:  We are saved solely by Jesus alone, that is by grace or gift alone, received by faith alone, all of this flows from Scripture alone.

I know from experience that Lutherans have a treasury that they have no idea how rich it is!  In our confession, in our worship, in our hymnody, even in our potlucks!

But, sometimes, it seems that we are embarrassed by the label.  When asked, we become evangelicals.  “I’m a Christian.... Um.... (quiet voice)...a um... Lutheran...”

Now, if you want to know one of the most magnificent things about being a Lutheran - see today’s text.  You know you get it right, you know it’s the good Gospel stuff, when what Jesus speaks of happens to you!

God sent John the Baptist to prepare the way for Christ.  Jesus says that John is Elijah - if you can handle that!  He’s the one paving the way for the coming of the Christ.  

John didn’t drink or eat to excess.  Unless you call never drinking alcohol and eating locusts and wild honey for supper excess!

John’s preaching? John’s Law was devastating!  He called people out of the darkness of their sins, their self righteousness, and their hatred of one another.  Stop your religion in which you attempt to justify yourself before Almighty God.  Quit acting all religious while your insides are hating those around you, judging them, putting them down.  There’s no religion there - none.

Step away from your blaming the other person and look at yourself. Stop tearing people up around you.  Stop finding only fault in the ones you love.  Stop talking out both of sides of your mouth!  You know what I mean, don’t you?  

I’m talking to a friend of mine as he’s driving down the road.  He’s bemoaning how no one loves anyone any more.  How can we treat each other this way?  How can we hold grudges and be so stingy with forgiveness and mercy with those we love - as Christians.

“Man, I can’t believe that person is driving so slow two cars up.  How’d they get a license?  It’s people like that make my day worse”  But you were just talking about loving one another right?

Or when we bemoan our spouses about how “she treats me so terribly. All she says is bad stuff about me.  You should see the stuff she does - how she lives.  It’s terrible.”  

Um... Your spouse and what she says about you is the problem?  Have you listened to what you say about her?

Oh you are sorry?  Really.  Really sorry?  Then, John pointed you to produce some fruit that is keeping with your repentance.  Treat the people you sinned against better.  Show God that you are actually turning from what your sins.  Ceasing the judging, the stealing, the fornication, the coveting, the lying, the hatred, the gossiping, stop the double talk.

And upon hearing that sort of Law from John the Baptist, the religious leaders looked at each other and said.  He’s too harsh - too unloving.  How dare he say for us to actually love one another!  He must be possessed by a demon!

Then, comes Jesus on the scene. He tells His disciples to pick grain on the Sabbath.  He heals people - even on Saturday.

And eat?  Yeah, unlike John the Baptist, this guy Jesus eats and drinks with .. Sinners.  You know.. Those people - prostitutes, tax collectors and people like that. 

And like a Mardi Gras parade, Jesus just tosses forgiveness around. I forgive you. I forgive you.  I forgive you.  You gossip about your spouse?  Forgiven.  You talk out of both sides of your mouth?  Forgiven.  Your attendance at church stinks?  Forgiven. 

Your sins are forgiven not because you change or turn toward, but because God has turned toward you and given up His Son. The Father took all the violence and hatred He could have against us struck Jesus with it instead.  By His suffering and death your sins are answered for.

I’ll take my holy and pure life and count it as yours,” says Jesus.  “I’ll take my innocent suffering and death and give it to you.

“When the Father sees you from now on, He won’t see your sins, He’ll see my holy life and innocent suffering and death.”

“So the Father won’t judge you any more by your life.  He should, but He won’t.  No... From now on, from the Cross forward, my Father will treat you as I deserve.”

“All your sins, I have answered for.  All your debt, I have paid.”

“And that devil, the world, and your flesh and their war against you?  They’ll have to get through Me.  Stand behind me, and I’ll show you how the destroying force is met by an equal force - by defending power.”

With might of ours can naught be done, Soon were our loss effected; But for us fights the Valiant One, Whom God Himself elected. Ask ye, Who is this? Jesus Christ it is. Of Sabaoth Lord, And there's none other God; He holds the field forever. (TLH 262, 2) 

And so what do they react to this Jesus and His gospel?   They accused Jesus or being a glutton and a drunkard!  

Or my friend from high school who after hearing what we believe as Lutherans told me, “You Lutherans, with your Gospel and your grace alone by faith alone saving you just invite people to live like pigs.  The Gospel can’t be that free!”

Pigs - that’s gluttons.  What they accused Jesus of - giving away the kingdom.  Forgiveness that was so sweet, so all encompassing, that we think that it has to be curbed in.  It can’t be that free.

Or as they accused St. Paul, “All that free forgiveness, eh?  Well, shall we sin more that grace may abound?” 

The Lutheran answer, the Scriptural answer is not from the Law, but from the Gospel, “No, you’ve been baptized.  Your sinful life was buried with Christ.  

You’ve been raised with Christ new life - life in Him.  You aren’t in slavery to your sins any more.  You are alive with Christ.

God can’t win for losing!  We reject John’s law because he must be demon possessed.  We reject Jesus cause He’s too free!

“Wisdom is justified by her works.” says Jesus.   Where the Gospel, there good works flow.  Where the true Gospel, there the accusations flow - your law is too harsh and your Gospel too sweet.

This Reformation Day, I challenge you, to learn what it means to be a Lutheran.  More than just that you have always been a Lutheran, or you were parents were a Lutheran.  

Pick up your catechism and read it.  Read your Scriptures.  You are never too old to read your catechism.  You are never too old to learn why we do what we do and why you believe what you believe.  

Even Luther said he read the catechism every day! We can too.  

Live, your faith out in prayer both in the morning and evening.  Remember your Baptism, where your sins were washed away.  Come to the Supper .

For the Jesus’ Kingdom suffers violence.  It is under attack from without and within.  From outside by those who would destroy it.  From inside by us inside the church who by knowing what we believe.

All the while, Jesus makes His way to the Cross to die for us all.  To show us how God is - He is for sinners, forgiving them, and giving them eternal life.

Hey.... That’s sounds a bit... Lutheran.  More than a bit, in the name of Jesus.  Amen.