Healing for the sin-sick soul

This Sunday marks the end of summer which for some churches means that tomorrow they will celebrate the equinox with some sort of pagan ritual. Not in my church I assure you. We shall make the transition to fall by hearing the lament of Jeremiah in chapter 8:18-9:1,

 My joy is gone, grief is upon me,

   my heart is sick.

 Hark, the cry of my poor people

   from far and wide in the land:

‘Is the Lord not in Zion?

   Is her King not in her?’

(‘Why have they provoked me to anger with their images,

   with their foreign idols?’)

‘The harvest is past, the summer is ended,

   and we are not saved.’

 For the hurt of my poor people I am hurt,

   I mourn, and dismay has taken hold of me.

 Is there no balm in Gilead?

   Is there no physician there?

Why then has the health of my poor people

   not been restored?

O that my head were a spring of water,

   and my eyes a fountain of tears,

so that I might weep day and night

   for the slain of my poor people!

Poor Jeremiah. I hope he is listening now to this beautiful rendition of "There is a balm in Gilead" in the knowledge that Jesus came to be that healing balm.

 Refrain:

There is a balm in Gilead

To make the wounded whole;

There is a balm in Gilead

To heal the sin-sick soul.

1. Sometimes I feel discouraged,

And think my work's in vain,

But then the Holy Spirit

Revives my soul again.

(Refrain)

2. If you can't preach like Peter,

If you can't pray like Paul,

Just tell the love of Jesus,

And say He died for all.

(Refrain)

The Costs of Discipleship

If we bear witness to the saving grace of our Lord and defend the truths found in the Gospels, we will undoubtedly face persecution, even to the point of death as evidenced by the deaths of thousands of Christians yearly worldwide. Most of these persecutions and deaths go unreported here in the United States. When it happens here we get biased reporting such as CNN constantly labelling Charlie Kirk as a "conservative activist" and completely ignoring his Christian worldview. Just as certain, you can rest assured that no mention of the powers of darkness playing a role in Christian persecution and murder will be coming from CBS, NBC, ABC, NPR, etc.

As Christians, we know what we shall face and how to face it.

“In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.” – 2 Timothy 3:12

 

“Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.” – Romans 5:3-4

 

“For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in him but also to suffer for him.” – Philippians 1:29

 

“Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed.” – 1 Peter 4:12-13

 

“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” – James 1:2-4

 

“Remember what I told you: A servant is not greater than his master. If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also.” – John 15:20

 

“Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” – Matthew 5:10-12

 

“For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” – 2 Corinthians 4:17-18

 

“I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.” – Romans 8:18

 

“Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days. Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you life as your victor’s crown.” – Revelation 2:10

 

“Therefore, among God’s churches we boast about your perseverance and faith in all the persecutions and trials you are enduring.” – 2 Thessalonians 1:4

If the death of one man leads more to follow Jesus, to publicly defend the Good News that he came to save sinners, and to not be shy about naming the sins that offend God, and those things for which we are taught to repent, then let them know also the true costs of discipleship.

Often misused verses

This Sunday's reading from Luke 15:1-10 is so often misused by the LGBTQrstuvetc fans that reading it again is important.

Now all the tax-collectors and sinners were coming near to listen to him. 2And the Pharisees and the scribes were grumbling and saying, ‘This fellow welcomes sinners and eats with them.’

 So he told them this parable: ‘Which one of you, having a hundred sheep and losing one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness and go after the one that is lost until he finds it? When he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders and rejoices. And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying to them, “Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.” Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous people who need no repentance.

 ‘Or what woman having ten silver coins, if she loses one of them, does not light a lamp, sweep the house, and search carefully until she finds it? When she has found it, she calls together her friends and neighbours, saying, “Rejoice with me, for I have found the coin that I had lost.” Just so, I tell you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.’

How many times have I heard that since Jesus welcomes sinners and eats with them that the Church must welcome, accept, celebrate, and bless the LGBTQrstuvetc lifestyle? Too many times to count.

How many times have I heard the LGBTQrstuvetc fans say that they and us are among the lost, are sinners, and that Jesus welcomes and eats with them and us in order to hear from Him that we are lost and that we need to repent? Never.

There is no joy in heaven when God's Word is misused.

Meanwhile in Finland, the Persecution of Christians Continues

I have been following the case of Finnish MP, Päivi Räsänen, for several years. The persecution that she has been subjected to because she dared to go against the LGBTQrstuv+etc agenda from a Christian worldview is something that is hard to believe.  

From Christianity Today, 

 The consequences of one tweet posted seven years ago continue to reverberate for Finnish MP Päivi Räsänen, who is at the centre of an ongoing legal case for “hate speech”.

In 2019 Räsänen, who is also a former government minister, sent out a tweet questioning the appropriateness of the Evangelical Lutheran Church being a sponsor for a Pride event in Helsinki.

Her tweet also included an image of a Bible verse from Romans chapter 1, which states, “The men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed shameful acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their error.”

In 2021 Räsänen was charged with “agitation against a minority group” under the section of the Finnish criminal code that deals with “war crimes and crimes against humanity”. The charges related to the tweet, to her comments in a radio debate, and to a church pamphlet published in 2004. The co-publisher of the pamphlet, Bishop Juhana Pohjola, was also charged.

In the debate and the pamphlet, Räsänen argued that, according to the Bible, marriage is between one man and one woman and that homosexual relationships are sinful.

Both Räsänen and Pohjola were acquitted of all charges in 2022 and again in 2023. However the prosecutor has appealed yet again, taking the case to the Supreme Court, which is set to hear oral arguments on 30 October.

One of the key issues in the trial is Räsänen’s use of the word “sin”. Described as hateful and insulting by the prosecution, Räsänen’s defence notes this is the term used in the Bible and that as such it is not her that is on trial, but the Bible itself.

The Finnish State prosecutor, Anu Mantila, said, “You can cite the Bible, but it is Räsänen’s interpretation and opinion about the Bible verses that are criminal."

This is a perfect illustration of the dangers of hate speech laws. 

Even if the Supreme Court rules in her favor, the prosecutor's dogged pursuit of this case sends a chilling message to everyone in Finland that you do not dare to argue against the LGBTQrstuv+etc agenda from a Biblical worldview. 

Could it happen here? 

Giving it up for Jesus

 This Sunday's reading from Luke 14:25-33 says it all,

Now large crowds were travelling with him; and he turned and said to them, ‘Whoever comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and even life itself, cannot be my disciple. Whoever does not carry the cross and follow me cannot be my disciple. For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not first sit down and estimate the cost, to see whether he has enough to complete it? Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation and is not able to finish, all who see it will begin to ridicule him, saying, “This fellow began to build and was not able to finish.” Or what king, going out to wage war against another king, will not sit down first and consider whether he is able with ten thousand to oppose the one who comes against him with twenty thousand? If he cannot, then, while the other is still far away, he sends a delegation and asks for the terms of peace. So therefore, none of you can become my disciple if you do not give up all your possessions.

 Can anyone do it?

Root Causes of Mass Shootings and the Solution

In a recent essay by John Horvat at The Imaginative Conservative, he identifies three factors that contribute to mass shootings like that of Minneapolis from recurring.

1. A Refusal to Accept a Moral Law
2. Normalizing Abnormal Behavior
3. God does not have any sovereignty over the world

He sums it up with this, 

Such revelations should cause political leaders and Church officials to change their perspectives on why these things are happening and how they might be stopped. They must realize that no system in the world can monitor all the potential Westmans waiting for their chance to defy God’s moral order. An evil and powerful force is unleashed in society that cannot be opposed by ordinary means.

What is so disconcerting about the whole affair is that the response to the massacre changed nothing. Everyone—both on the left and the right, politicians as well as clerics—has reverted to their default positions inside the framework of the liberal premises.

The debate is often reduced to deciding between adding more security and allowing fewer guns. There is no need to promote individual or societal morals. There is no need for restrictions on unbridled license. Satan need not be combated directly.

Everyone rightly mourns the victims, the dead and wounded effects of this cowardly act. No one addresses the cause found in Satan, the evil he spreads, and the destruction of God’s moral law.

Change must come from within hearts and society. Either society returns to God, or these things will continue happening. When a society abandons God and His moral law, no one is safe, not even little Catholic children, praying before classes during their first week back to school.

I couldn't agree more, 

Missing Verses

This week's Epistle reading is Hebrews 13:1-8,15-16. Note that the editors of the Revised common Lectionary have deleted verses 9-14. I have included these and highlighted them in red.

 Let mutual love continue. 2 Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing that some have entertained angels without knowing it. 3 Remember those who are in prison, as though you were in prison with them; those who are being tortured, as though you yourselves were being tortured. 4 Let marriage be held in honour by all, and let the marriage bed be kept undefiled; for God will judge fornicators and adulterers. 5 Keep your lives free from the love of money, and be content with what you have; for he has said, ‘I will never leave you or forsake you.’ 6 So we can say with confidence,

‘The Lord is my helper;

   I will not be afraid.

What can anyone do to me?’

7 Remember your leaders, those who spoke the word of God to you; consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith. 8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and for ever. 

9 Do not be carried away by all kinds of strange teachings; for it is well for the heart to be strengthened by grace, not by regulations about food, which have not benefited those who observe them. 10 We have an altar from which those who officiate in the tent have no right to eat. 11 For the bodies of those animals whose blood is brought into the sanctuary by the high priest as a sacrifice for sin are burned outside the camp. 12 Therefore Jesus also suffered outside the city gate in order to sanctify the people by his own blood. 13 Let us then go to him outside the camp and bear the abuse he endured. 14 For here we have no lasting city, but we are looking for the city that is to come. 

15 Through him, then, let us continually offer a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that confess his name. 16 Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.

Isn't it interesting that those who teach would delete the warning to "not be carried away by all kinds of strange teachings..." ????

Perhaps they are aware that they might be the ones who are guilty of teaching strange things.