Steadfast in the Word
Grace to you and peace from
God our Father, and from our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.
Jesus said, “Beware of false
prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous
wolves.” What a dire warning. No one
wants to think that there are people hiding within the Church who would seek to
lead astray the sheep of our Good Shepherd’s flock. No one wants to believe
that there are preachers who call themselves Christians, but they teach and
practice contrary to the Word of God. But at one time or another, we have all
encountered them within so-called Christian congregations. These preachers have
told the Church that it is okay to murder babies in the womb in the name of
convenience and empowerment. They have said that it is okay to live in
unrepentant sexual immorality, whether by living together, homosexuality,
promiscuity, or pornography. They have told you that even those who believe
falsely about Jesus should be welcomed to receive the body and blood of Jesus. They
have told you that a truly faithful Christian will be healthy and wealthy and
successful, because Jesus gives earthly prosperity to those who have strong faith.
It’s bad enough that these false prophets exist. But the
truth is, they would be powerless without our desire to hear their blasphemous
sermons. In speaking to the young pastor Timothy, the Apostle Paul wrote, “The time will come when they will not endure
sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves
teachers; and they will turn their
ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables.” There is a market
for the Joel Osteens and Joyce Meyers of the world because there are people who
want to believe their false teachings, because there are people who
would pick and choose what they want to believe instead of clinging to God’s
Word, because there are people who hunger for worldly wealth rather than the
body and blood of Jesus.
When our children are holding something poisonous or
dangerous in their hands, don’t we swat it away? Don’t we warn them of the
danger? Why do we not defend the doctrine of the Church with that kind of zeal?
This is a First Commandment issue. This same sin entangled Adam and
Eve. They were not content with God’s Word. They wanted more than
what God promised them. They coveted the forbidden fruit. That is our way
too. False doctrine is not looked upon as bad anymore. We tolerate it because
we think everyone is entitled to their opinion. We would rather be
comfortable and turn a blind eye to sin rather than confront it and root it
out.
Why does God
permit false teachers to come among His faithful? Is He not able to prevent
it? Of course He could! But like all the suffering that our Lord
allows afflict us, the presence of the false teacher works to our good. As St. Paul wrote, “There must also be factions among you, that
those who are approved may be recognized among you.” By allowing factions
and divisions in His Church, the Lord reveals those who belong to Him.
Do not treat the Word
carelessly. This Word you have in your ears is not the mere word of a man;
it is the holy Word of God Himself, the Maker of heaven and earth. This
Word in our ears is the Word made flesh, the Word who dwells among us, the Word
who comes into our ear and into our mouths—not to give us mere early blessings,
though He does generously give us our daily bread. He comes to give us the
Bread of Life, the forgiveness of sins, and eternal life with Him. This is a
precious Word, and it satisfies more than anything our itching ears and selfish
hearts can devise.
There are very few who stand steadfast anymore. Denominations outside the Lutheran church and divisions within it abound. There are few who contend against error and preserve the true doctrine. May it not be so among us. God grant us faith to cling to His promise, courage to confess it before the world, strength to persevere and contend for the truth, and love to serve both Him and our neighbor.
There are very few who stand steadfast anymore. Denominations outside the Lutheran church and divisions within it abound. There are few who contend against error and preserve the true doctrine. May it not be so among us. God grant us faith to cling to His promise, courage to confess it before the world, strength to persevere and contend for the truth, and love to serve both Him and our neighbor.
“Blessed are those who hear the Word of God
and keep it.” Lord, keep us
steadfast in Your Word! In the name of the Father and of the Son (†) and of
the Holy Spirit. Amen.
The
peace of God which passes all understanding will keep your hearts and minds in
Christ Jesus always. Amen.
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