October Newsletter

GOD SAID IT! I BELIEVE IT! THAT SETTLES IT!

The other day I saw those words on a bumper sticker. It seems to me that we would do well to listen to that bumper sticker.

GOD SAID IT!
Martin Luther once talked about "Sola Scriptura", which means our authority in life is "Scripture Alone". This is a concept that is expounded on by the   Constitution of the ELCA which states, "The Holy Scriptures are the authoritative source and norm for all matters of faith and life". The problem is, it seems we   have strayed from this firm conviction; especially when the matter before us is a controversial one. I've even heard a professor of the New Testament declare,   "We   can't rely on the Scriptures in this case, because the Scriptures are unclear". That's a far cry from the concept of "Sola Scriptura"; and it's not true. The   Bible is not unclear; we may be, but the Bible never is. The Bible is God's Word. It is what God said.

I BELIEVE IT!
I may not always understand it, or like it; but I believe it. God's Word may confuse me at times; but still, I believe it. I may not now why God says certain things, or   makes certain laws; but that's not necessary, I still believe it. Many times, I don't see the wisdom behind God's Word, in deed God's Word can appear foolish to   me; but that doesn't matter. As Paul says in I Corinthians (1: 25), "the foolishness of God is wiser than the wisdom of people". God said it, and whether or not I   like it; I believe it!

THAT SETTLES IT!
It's time to accept God's Word as the final word again. One of the hardest things for me to hear is "Yes, but". When someone says, "God said it"; the answer   usually comes, "Yes, but what if it doesn't work?", or "Yes, but what if someone doesn't like it?", or "Yes, but what if it's easier to do it differently?". People   throw so many situations at me, trying to say that God's Word doesn't apply in this case. I believe God's Word applies in every case, no matter what the situation.   In other words, when God says it, and I believe it, then that settles it.

Your friend in Christ,

Pastor Ron