Create in Me

Realizing that we are by nature sinful and unclean, one of the traditional hymns that addresses our need for God's forgiveness, is taken from Psalm 51:10-12, “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. 11 Cast me not away from your presence, and take not your Holy Spirit from me. 12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit.” By incorporating various ELCA quotes (see; Her Church, the mother god's prayer, the worship of self and the affirmation of sinful behavior), extrapolating from current ELCA doctrinal shifts and emphasis on social justice, a hypothetical ELCA version of the hymn may go something like this;

“Create in me an enlightened mind O Mother God, and uphold the power and courage within me. Cast me not away from the presence of secular ambitions and take not away my selfish desires. Restore unto me the joy of self esteem and affirm me within my sinful behavior.”

What is truly unfortunate, is that these words are actually derived from ceremonies, writings and churches that have the approval of the ELCA.  They welcome heretical teachings and proclaim them as a new and diverse opinion appropriate to their doctrine of open dialogue. The leadership of the ELCA promotes this type of discourse as a means to add to and strengthen their misguided denomination. This fits right in with the gospel of affirmation that is promoted by the leaders and Biblical scholars of the ELCA. Too many of our brothers and sisters in Christ deceived by these false teachings, have mistakenly accepted errant doctrine believing that they will be more welcoming, tolerant and loving of their neighbor. Those that fall prey will find that to accept this false gospel will require that they disregard our Lord’s commands. God’s word will be folded, stapled and mutilated in an effort to expand this “Big Tent” denomination that only desires to quench the cravings of a sinful humanity.

Where the Christian realizes that our sinful behavior directs us away from our God’s presence, the leaders of the ELCA promote that all are affirmed within their sin. The truth is that we need our God to cleanse us from our sin and to have the Holy Spirit lead us back toward righteousness. As Christians we want to remain within the radiance of our Father in Heaven and be filled with His Spirit. Having our God re-confirm His covenant so that we can revel in the promise of eternal life with a willing and serving spirit is what all Christians truly espouse. For those that lead the ELCA and promote radical doctrinal change, this appears far from their goal. It seems that the leadership of the ELCA advocates the elevation of human reasoning and understanding or what they promote as "bound conscience" as the pinnacle of religious enlightenment. By placing themselves in authority of Scripture, they imply that God does not fully understand how progressive this new age denomination has become. They repudiate the method that our Lord used to teach us how to pray and cast doubt upon the very truths that have guided the Christian faith for centuries.

Hebrews 10:19-25, “Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, 20 by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, 21 and since we have a great priest over the house of God, 22 let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. 23 Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. 25 Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” We must accept and embrace all the truths of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and to maintain our faith against all temptation and opposition. The Evil one will continually attempt to test our faith, but we must hold to God’s Truth resolutely, without doubt and remain strong in our faith in the Risen Savior. Accepting doctrine that challenges the authority of Scripture and tends to cause one to “dive into the pool of heresy” only leads toward apostasy. God, who is faithful and just, will forgive our sins if only we ask for His forgiveness. God’s promise of grace to those who believe is the truth that leads to our salvation. Titus 2:1, “You must teach what is in accord with sound doctrine.” A false promise by a misguided church to affirm those engaging in sin without the requirement of repentance, offer nothing but a lie that leads their members away from God and toward spiritual destruction.

Walk the Walk

A popular wrist band seen on Christians over the last several years read WWJD, or What Would Jesus Do. This wrist band was to remind the wearer, when faced with decision making, to temper their choice by pondering what our Lord would do if faced with the same circumstances. The wrist band has waned in popularity as of late, but its message remains true. As we dwell in His Word we learn how our Lord responded to the people and the circumstances that he encountered. Jesus was compassionate, loving and kind, especially to those in need. Jesus fed the hungry, healed the sick and lame, gave sight and hearing to the blind and deaf, cast out demons and instructed us about God’s Word throughout his ministry on the earth. Even death was not a barrier to His healing ministry. Not only did Jesus heal those afflicted by physical ills, He healed those that were suffering in their spiritual life. But, Jesus did not simply heal their infirmities. He forgave them and cleansed them of their sins. Jesus then guided them toward the path of righteousness.

Jesus taught about God’s Word using parables that were very pertinent to the people of that day. They identified with Jesus’ teachings because He included references that were applicable to the daily lives of the people He taught. Some of these parables are not as easily understood using our modern sensibilities. Simply reading the parable and considering it literally does not always afford the reader the capacity to properly understand the lessons Jesus was teaching. This is where a good study Bible is necessary to help one understand in today’s terms the lessons that Jesus was communicating. You will find that even though Scripture was written long ago, it continues to speak to each one of us and remains just as relevant to our daily lives today as it was to the people living in Jesus’ time. Thessolonians 2:13, "And we also thank God continually because, when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men, but as it actually is, the word of God, which is at work in you who believe."  Engaging in regular Bible study is also a very important step to take in your faith journey. The fellowship afforded and the insights gathered by two or more meeting in our Lord's name will allow for His Spirit to positively influence your understanding of the Word.

It is so very important to spend time in God’s Word on a daily basis. We all can set aside ten minutes of quiet time that we can share with our Lord. Every time we read God’s Word, our Lord is speaking to us. Hebrews 4:12-13, “For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword. It penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. 13 Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.” Each and every verse of Scripture is written for our benefit. In these troubling times we need to rely on what our God has put to writing, rather than what the enlightened leaders of the ELCA and other misguided churches would want us to believe.  God's truth is there for us.  He is not telling us something new in order to satisfy selfish human desires.  If we fail to dwell in His Word, we may just fall prey to these "new" teachings.  So, rather than hit that snooze button again, use that time to commune with our Lord and read His Good News for us. Use a daily devotional  guide to help you get started, or you may just want to open the Bible randomly and begin reading. God speaks to each of us, individually, through His Word. We need only to take the time to open His Word, read it, and open our hearts and minds to hear Him.

We don’t need a wrist band to remind us how our Lord wants us to conduct ourselves in this world. We have His instruction manual for us and if we simply read and study His Word, we will have all the information we will need to walk the walk with our Lord. Learn to live out the words of the Sunday school song, “Yes, they’ll know we are Christians by HIS love.” When we explore God's Word we will grow in our Christian faith and love. As we begin to understand His plan for us, we will discover how to share the abundant and unending love our Lord has for us. 2 Corinthians 4:13-18, "It is written: “I believed; therefore I have spoken.” With that same spirit of faith we also believe and therefore speak, 14 because we know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus from the dead will also raise us with Jesus and present us with you in his presence. 15 All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God. 16 Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. 17 For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. 18 So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal."  Praise be to God!