“A Word of Truth” from Immanuel Lutheran Church of Mankato…
A Word of Truth #397
Intelligence is a gift from God, but those who in pride view themselves as highly intelligent often fail to reveal true compassion and empathy for others. That is why the apostle Paul admonishes us, “Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinions.” (Romans 12:16b) Rather, Paul tells us, “Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. Be of the same mind towards one another.” (Romans 12:15-16a) In other words, when someone you know has been blessed, rejoice with them and together thank the Lord from whom those blessings came. When someone else has a trial to endure, weep with them and pray together that the Lord will provide the necessary strength and endurance to overcome the trial. In these ways you will be a blessing to others, while faithfully serving Your God.
A Word of Truth #398 Romans 12:17-21
If someone hurts me, my first reaction is to hurt them back or to bide my time for revenge! If someone points out a mistake, I deny it, defend it, and find as many excuses as possible why it was not my fault.
Who am I? Every human being.
The Holy Spirit working in our hearts leads us to appreciate God’s love for us in Christ Jesus and moves us to follow a different path:
Repay no one evil for evil.
As much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men (we can’t control others, but we surely can control ourselves).
Do not avenge yourselves…Vengeance is mine…says the Lord.
If your enemy has a need, help him. He expects retaliation. Unexpected kindness may prick his conscience. You may be able to share the love of Christ with him, lose an enemy, and gain a Christian brother.
Continuing to react with our sinful instincts gives sin the upper hand. “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” (cf. Romans 12:17ff).
A Word of Truth #399
Who will be our next President? That is what an internet survey asked me the other day. While we cannot yet answer that question, we can say this with absolute certainly—God will place in power the person He has chosen. The apostle Paul reminds us in Romans 13 that “there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God” (verse 1b). Therefore, while in our democracy we elect our leaders, it is God who guides the process. Consequently, Paul tells us all that for “conscience’ sake” (verse 5b) we are “to be subject to the governing authorities” whoever they may be (verse 1a). God appoints governments to be His ministers for good—to protect honest citizens and to punish dishonest ones. Therefore, let us “honor” our elected officials, while we live our lives as law-abiding citizens. This is pleasing in God’s sight!
A Word of Truth #400 Romans 13:8-10
“What the world needs now is love, sweet love…” Musical artists who have sung these words may not have realized how scriptural they are. God says in Romans: “Owe no one anything except to love one another…”(Romans 13:8,10).
Every sin we commit is always a lack of love toward God and is often a lack of love toward others. For example, adultery is a lack of love toward one’s lover, perhaps a spouse, and without doubt toward God who created and defines marriage. All of the sin in and around us indicates that yes, what the world needs now is the same thing it has always needed—love.
But at this point the song and Scripture part ways. The needed love will not be found in the world. The world needs the love with which God first loved us. The world needs the love of Christ which is proclaimed through the Gospel. Only that love will create hearts that want to show true love to God and to one another.
A Word of Truth #401
“We sure live in an evil world, Pastor!” One of my members told me that during a recent home visit, and he was right! God knows this as well and so He inspired the apostle Paul to exclaim: “Let us cast off the works of darkness and let us put on the armor of light…. (let us) put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh to fulfill its lusts!” (Romans 13:12b,14) Yes, we live in an evil world, which is at war with our souls. The devil wants to drag us down into the darkness of sin, and he will tempt our sinful flesh in as many ways as possible—internet pornography, the illegal use and abuse of alcohol or drugs, the get-rich schemes and dreams of gambling. Let us not give in; let us not give up; but rather let us day by day “put on Jesus” by reading His Word, by praising His name, and by turning to Him in prayer.
A Word of Truth #402 Romans 14:1-13
Jesus Christ has redeemed us and paid for our sins. This gives us freedom from the condemnation of God’s Law. Jesus gives freedom from the worries and stresses of this world because He has all power and promises to be with us always. As children of God we have freedom to conduct our lives under God’s grace, but it is not freedom to sin.
Because God gives each of His children differing gifts and because they apply those gifts in different ways within Christian liberty and freedom, we will all live different lives of service to our Savior. However, there is one constant among all of God’s children regardless of vocation, gifts, and interests. The constant is that we are all living for Christ: “…none of us lives to himself, and no one dies to himself. For if we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. Therefore, whether we live or we die, we are the Lord’s” (Romans 14:1-13).
A Word of Truth #403 Romans 14:14-15
“To do or not to do…to say or not to say…” These are questions we face in our interactions with other people. In all matters we seek to have our decisions guided by God’s Word so that the answers to the questions of our interaction with others will always be in agreement with our Lord.
One of the directions God gives is that we are to “walk in connection with Christ-like love.” Even if God’s Word does not forbid something and we could in Christian freedom pursue it, we need to also ask whether pursuing it would in some way be a spiritual stumbling block for another soul. “Walking in love” makes the decision to avoid what might cause someone else to sin.
Walking in love is sacrificial and it has a spiritual focus. Walking in love leads to decisions that are concerned with others and their souls.
A Word of Truth #404 Romans 14:16-18
When you hear the word, “kingdom” perhaps you are like me and are quickly transported to a land of fairy tales and castles, knights and great stories of adventure and conquest; crowns, thrones, and treasures. These things do not describe God’s Kingdom. Nor will an earthly kingdom and reign ever be part of Jesus’ rule. Jesus Himself said: “My Kingdom is not of this world.”
We, as children of God, are in His kingdom right now—even as we live here on this earth. The apostle Paul wrote,“…the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.” Jesus is our King. His kingdom is present wherever He rules. Jesus rules in the hearts of all believers. Sinners become part of Christ’s kingdom when the Holy Spirit creates faith in their hearts. Through faith in Christ members of Christ’s kingdom receive righteousness, peace and joy.
A Word of Truth #405 Romans 14:19-20
“Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness” are identified as inalienable rights in the United States’ Declaration of Independence. The freedom to pursue happiness is a blessing we enjoy in our country. However, if the pursuit of happiness defines a life or is that life’s goal and purpose, then that is an empty pursuit indeed. The pursuit of happiness will not always be successful and no amount of happiness in this life will make us right with God or last beyond this lifetime.
God directs a different pursuit: “…pursue the things which make for peace and the things by which one may edify another” (Romans 14:19). We are not always going to be able to be at peace with others, but God’s desire is that we pursue peace as much as it depends upon us. Furthermore, our words and actions are not to be harmful or frivolous. Rather we are to pursue things that will build up, encourage, and benefit our fellow Christians in their lives—both spiritually and physically.
A Word of Truth #406 Romans 14:21-23
A person could give $1,000,000 to a very worthy organization and it would still be a sin. A person could have a deep compassion for others and dedicate a life to helping them and it would still be a sin. How can doing good be a sin? God says, “…whatever is not from faith is sin” (Romans 14:23).
We are sinners. Only through the redeeming work of Jesus is there forgiveness for our sins. Forgiveness comes to us through faith in Jesus. Through faith our sins are cleared away and then every good thing we do is also good in God’s sight. However, without faith in Christ all of a person’s sins remain. Therefore, even the best deeds, even those with great blessing for others, are tainted with sin when they are done apart from faith in Christ. Isaiah wrote, “All of our righteousnessesthe best things we could doare as filthy rags” (Isaiah 64:6). Through faith in Christ what was once sin-smudged is clean and pleasing in God’s sight.
A Word of Truth #407 Romans 15:1-3
It can be pretty tough to turn our attention from ourselves to others. When we’ve been wronged we’re usually pretty eager to find justice. When we have a desire, we can be quite ready to find a way to meet that desire, perhaps even without regard to the impact on others. Our sinful natures are very self-focused and want to make every question, every decision, every gift, every thing to be about “me”.
Thankfully, Jesus didn’t consider only Himself. Jesus’ death on the cross was not about Him, it was about you and me. He gave Himself up for us.
Showing a Christ-like love to one another means that the things in our lives are not all about “me”. Christian love is less occupied with what pleases “me” and more concerned about the present and eternal blessing of others. Paul encourages us, “We then who are strong ought to bear with the scruples of the weak, and not to please ourselves. Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, leading to edification.” (Romans 15:1-2).
A Word of Truth #408 Romans 15:4-6
The Bible is a very old book—even the youngest part of it is over 1900 years old. On the other hand newspapers of today are printed, read, and discarded within a day. Newspapers are quickly out of date sometimes even before they are printed. How can we be sure that the old Bible isn’t hopelessly out of date? We can be sure because God had you in mind when He breathed the words of Scripture into the writers’ minds and hearts.
God recorded His Word as more than just a news report. He gave His Word so that through His Word we might learn about the forgiveness of sins through Jesus and be saved from our sins. God says, “Whatever things were written before were written for [your] learning, that [you] through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope” (Romans 15:4).
The Bible—God’s Word—is timeless truth. All of Scripture was written for our learning to give us the certain hope of life and salvation.
A Word of Truth #409
“I don’t like her!” “He is such a jerk!” Have you ever heard comments like that? It is sad when people cannot get along on the job or in the neighborhood, but when such comments are heard in connection with the church—with fellow Christians, it is most unfortunate. The apostle Paul urges believers to “accept one another…just as Christ accepted you” (Romans 15:7 NIV). Jesus accepted us in spite of all of our sins. He cleansed us of those sins by washing them away with His own precious blood. Yes, Jesus accepted us and uplifts us by His grace, enabling us to serve in His kingdom in spite of our many weaknesses. Should we then not also love others in a similar manner? Of course we should! Let everyone who claims the name of Jesus respond in love to all people, but especially to fellow believers.
A Word of Truth #410
“I give up!” Feelings of frustration can all too easily lead to a sense of despair. The apostle Paul directs those struggling with such feelings to God. He writes, “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit” (Romans 15:13 NIV). Those near despair often see no answers for their problems, feel as if they have no strength to endure, and think no one is able to help. Satan uses such thoughts to hide the joy, peace, and hope to be found in God. God the Father is a “God of hope” for He has solved our problem of sin through Jesus. “The power of the Holy Spirit” awaits all who trust in Him. So do not despair, but rather look to your Savior God who can replace your feelings of despair with true joy, peace, and hope.
A Word of Truth #411
We live in an age of individuality and autonomy, which places great emphasis upon individual rights and personal freedom. When you combine those thoughts with the rejection of any set moral standard, however, the situation can and often does become explosive. Individuals out of control commit crimes, endanger others, and destroy families. In contrast the Bible regularly stresses community and responsibility. The apostle Paul writes, “I…am confident…my brethren, that you…are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, able also to admonish one another” (Romans 15:14). While today’s autonomous individual bristles at the thought of anyone telling him or her what to do, God wants His Christian community, informed by His Word, to “admonish” one another—that is to warn and encourage one another in faith and life.
A Word of Truth #412
The vast majority of us will never win the Tour de France, or the British Open, or any other major sporting title. Our personal victories will no doubt come on a much smaller scale. The apostle Paul when speaking of his accomplishments stated, “I glory in Christ Jesus in my service to God. I will not venture to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me in leading the Gentiles to obey God by what I have said and done” (Romans 15:17-18). Paul’s words include two important truths: 1) It is Christ Jesus, who enables us to accomplish all that we do in life; and 2) True greatness lies not in securing a championship, but rather in how many people are helped by what we say or do. Personal glory lasts only as long as people’s memories. The glory we have in Christ Jesus will last throughout eternity.
A Word of Truth #413
The late Francis Schaeffer in his book, “How Should We Then Live?”, suggested that the majority of people today have adopted two impoverished values: personal peace and affluence. What Schaeffer meant was that most people simply want to be left undisturbed, so that they can satisfy their own personal desires. They care little or nothing about the rest of the world. How sad is that! What a contrast was St. Paul, who wrote to the Roman Christians of his burning desire to bring the gospel to them and then on to Spain, but who was delayed because he had to go to Jerusalem to bring relief to suffering saints. Paul was a dynamo for Christ. His life was filled with activities which brought spiritual and physical blessings to people all over the Roman Empire. His values were faith, love, and service. What are your values?
A Word of Truth #414
“Duty” is an important concept within our U.S. military. To do one’s duty means to fulfill everything that is expected and asked. Most soldiers are proud to do their duty and serve their country in view of blessings they have received as citizens of our country. The apostle Paul spoke to the Roman Christians concerning the duty of Christians to help fellow Christians. In view of the great spiritual blessings that Gentile believers had received through the efforts of the early Jewish believers, Paul stated that the Gentile believers had a duty to help the Jewish believers, who were suffering from a famine. Paul’s argument remains true today. Christians, who have been so blessed by the grace, mercy, and forgiveness of God ought in grateful appreciation be ready to do their duty—to be a blessing to anyone and everyone as God gives them opportunities.
A Word of Truth #415
Years ago when my grandmother visited our home, she would always bring us candy. As she would unpack, my three sister and I would anticipate tasty delights! The apostle Paul, looking forward to his upcoming visit to Rome, told the Christians there that when he came to visit he would bring with him something better than candy—“the fullness of the blessing of the gospel of Christ!” (Romans 15:29) The gospel of Christ brings Christians the certainty of the forgiveness of their sins, the promise of life-everlasting, and the joy of knowing that Jesus Christ is with them every day. What do we bring when we visit our family or friends? Many of us no doubt bring some small token of our affection, but the very best thing we can bring is “the fullness of the blessing of the gospel of Christ” just as the apostle Paul!
A Word of Truth #416 Romans 15:30-32
God’s will is that all people be saved from their sins. To accomplish this He sent Jesus to redeem all people from their sins. To bring this salvation to the individual sinner, God sends out the Good News about Jesus.
God wants all of His children to share the Gospel news of salvation. In addition, God calls some individuals to be missionaries who make sharing the Gospel their life’s work. While missionaries do the work of spreading the Word of God in places we cannot go ourselves, all of God’s children can be very much involved with the missionaries’ work through their prayers.
The Roman Christians did not travel with the apostle Paul, but he “begged” of them to be involved with the missionary work by praying (cf. Romans 15:30). The needs of missionaries change, but the need for prayer on their behalf does not. Strive together in prayers to God for all who share the Gospel.
A Word of Truth #417
When you hear the word “friends” you may well think of a television show, or of Bob, Sue, or Randy—individuals you know and love. Christian friends are true gifts from God. The apostle Paul greeted by name twenty-six of his Christians friends in Rome before ending his epistle to that congregation. Paul’s Christian friends worked with him to proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ as the world’s Savior. They supported his work, at times placing themselves at risk for that work. At least two of them went to prison as did Paul for the sake of the gospel. All of them proved to be a great encouragement to the apostle, strengthening his faith and resolve to serve Jesus. Christian friends today can and do often fulfill that same role and purpose. Thank God for your Christian friends. They are true gifts from your heavenly Father.
A Word of Truth #418 Romans 16:17-18
The Department of Homeland Security is charged with watchfulness to protect us from terrorists. It stands guard against dangers to our way of life and to life itself. But who is watching out for your soul?
Soul-security begins with being armed with the armor of God (cf. Ephesians 6) and clinging to Christ, our Savior.
One battle front in soul-security is guarding the truth of God’s Word. God’s Word is what teaches us about salvation from sin. It is what the Holy Spirit uses to create and preserve faith. It is the power of God for salvation (cf. Romans 1:16). For this reason, soul-security begins and ends with the truth of God’s Word. When that truth is compromised, defenses are weakened and the spiritual terrorists can easily attack—and they will. Those who teach God’s Word falsely are, therefore, a danger to soul-security. God says: “…mark those who cause divisions and offense contrary to the doctrine which you have learned, and avoid them” (Romans 16:17).
A Word of Truth #419
The LORD God, revealed in the Bible, is the most powerful and gracious Being in the universe? He created this universe and everything in it. He is, therefore, more powerful than everything He created. He is able to defend us against all danger and protect us from every enemy. The LORD God is most gracious, for in spite of our many sins, He sent His Son, Jesus, to deliver us from sin and Satan. He then sent His Spirit to bring individuals from unbelief to faith, and thereby from death to life. The apostle Paul, as he neared the end of his epistle to the Romans, reassured them with these thoughts: “The God of peace will crush Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you!” (Romans 16:20) The power and grace of God—reassuring thoughts then and reassuring thoughts now!
A Word of Truth #420 Romans 16:25-27
Someone who loved souls, spoke the truth even if it was unpopular, and sacrificed his own well-being for the eternal well-being of others.
This is a description of the apostle Paul. Paul preached Christ-crucified for the salvation of souls. He applied the truth of God’s Word to lives so that people would turn away from sin, be strengthened in faith, and encouraged in their journey heavenward.
In the closing words of his letter to the Roman Christians, Paul calls upon God to establish them in their faith. Being established in faith is being rooted in the truth of Jesus Christ, being confident in the forgiveness of sins, and walking boldly under God’s direction. The Word of God establishes souls.
It is a testimony to God’s grace that we have salvation from sins and that He continues to use His Word to create, strengthen and preserve faith. You are established through the Word of God by grace! “To God, alone wise, be glory through Jesus Christ forever. Amen!” (Romans 16:27).
A Word of Truth #421
“The proof of the pudding is in the eating thereof”, “outcome-based education”, “the bottom line”—whether you are in the kitchen, the classroom, or the corporate boardroom, people are interested in final results. What is the final result of godliness as opposed to unbelief? The author of Psalm 1 addresses this very issue. He says that the man who “delights in the law (or word) of the LORD” and meditates upon it day and night will be blessed by God. That man will be “like a tree planted by the rivers of water.” He will prosper in everything he does. “The ungodly are not so,” says the Psalmist. Rather, they are like the chaff of the grain blown about the fields after harvest. What is “the bottom line” spiritually? Does it pay to be a Christian? The Psalmist writes, “The LORD knows the way of the righteous.But the way of the ungodly shall perish.”
A Word of Truth #422 Psalm 2
The Jewish Council was furious because the apostles were preaching Christ. A man named Gamaliel advised the Council to just leave the apostles alone. If their plan and work was of men, it would fail; but if it was from God “You cannot overthrow it—lest you even be found to fight against God” (Acts 5:39).
Today, as always, there are many who do fight against God. As the psalmist says, “The kings of the earth set themselves and the rulers take counsel together against the Lord and against His Anointed (Jesus Christ)…” (Psalm 2:2). But all such scheming is worthless because “He who sits in the heavens shall laugh; the Lord shall hold them in derision” (Psalm 2:4).
It is foolishness to scheme against God or to think that one could oppose His will with success. Much better to “be wise…be instructed…serve the Lord with fear and rejoice with trembling…” for “blessed are all those who put their trust in Him” (Psalm 2:10ff).
A Word of Truth #423
There are times in each of our the lives when so many troubles arise that they appear ready to overwhelm us! Most cruel at such times for the child of God are the taunts of unbelievers that “there is no help for him in God” (Psalm 3:2). The Psalmist David understood the anguish believers experience at such times. In Psalm 3 he assures the Christian that when dangers approach the LORD is “a shield” upon which to rely. He is the One who “lifts up (our) heads,” who “hears our cries,” who “sustains” us in sleep, and who gives us every reason not to be afraid. When facing the troubles of life, let us join David in praying to God: “Arise, O LORD; save me!” Let us join him, also, in praising our God: “Salvation belongs to the LORD. Your blessing is upon Your people!” And so it shall ever be!
A Word of Truth #424 Psalm 4
Sometimes the circumstances of life can leave a person feeling pretty low, fairly alone, and despondent that all hope is gone. Old Testament King David knew the ups and downs of life. David wondered how long the people of the world would seek to afflict him and how long they would continue to love worthlessness; but in the face of all the worldliness and trouble around him, David had the confidence: “…the Lord has set apart for Himself him who is godly; the Lord will hear when I call to Him.” (v.3)
Yes, the world rages. Yes, our lives may hit a new all time low, but God remains constant. He is the source of mercy. He is the deliverer to whom we can plead for help and He promises His grace and every blessing. Therefore, “I will lie down in peace, and sleep; for You alone, O Lord, make me to dwell in safety.” (Psalm 4:8).
A Word of Truth #425
“Give ear to my words, O LORD.… Give heed to the voice of my cry,” David pleads in Psalm 5. But how can we, who confess ourselves to be sinners, expect God to hear our cries for help when David informs us in this Psalm that God “takes no pleasure in wickedness…hates all workers of iniquity,” and will “destroy those who speak falsehood”? The solution is found when David invites us to “come into (God’s) house” and receive “the multitude of (His) mercy.” Our many sins are washed away by the blood of Jesus Christ. When we then worship in His “holy temple” He bestows upon us the righteousness of Jesus. Because of Jesus, David says, we can “put our trust” in the LORD. Because of Jesus we can “shout for joy,” for the “LORD will bless the righteous; with favor (He) will surround them as with a shield” (Psalm 5).
A Word of Truth #426 Psalm 6
In Scripture, God recorded the history of believers demonstrating great trust in Him, but He also recorded their struggles and failures. Even heroes of faith are still sinners with weaknesses. This is important to us so that as we study the Scriptures we realize that those who have gone before us faced the same challenges and weaknesses. We aren’t the only ones afflicted with weakness and we have access to the same strength as did the faithful men and women of old.
The psalms are the songs of Old Testament Christians. They are songs of weakness and strength, struggle and victory. In Psalm 6, King David prayed: “Have mercy on me O Lord, for I am weak; O Lord, heal me, for my bones are troubled. …return O Lord, deliver me! Oh, save me for Your mercies’ sake!” (v.2-4).
When you face sorrow, weakness, and when you struggle in your faith you are not unique; and you have a Deliverer in Jesus. Call upon Him in the day of trouble.
This has been “A Word of Truth” from Immanuel Lutheran Church of Mankato.
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