October 12, 2016 – Words of Wisdom
C. S. Lewis

“I didn’t go to religion to make me “happy”. I always knew a bottle of Port would do that. If you want a religion to make you feel really comfortable, I certainly don’t recommend Christianity.” C. S. Lewis

“Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, a descendant of David—that is my gospel, for which I suffer hardship, even to the point of being chained like a criminal. But the word of God is not chained.” 2 Timothy 2:8-9

Christianity would not have spread if it were not for two early influences and forces: the influence of Paul the Apostle, and the working of the Holy Spirit given to the church and the world on the day of Pentecost. From the day of Pentecost, where the Holy Spirit rested like tongues of flame on the many disciples, Christianity spread like wild fire. But, it did not spread without challenges, hardships, and sorrows. But none of that stopped Paul. He persisted, even though he was imprisoned, shipwrecked, beaten, starved and persecuted. And yet, in the midst of one of those events, in the midst of being severely persecuted, Paul was singing hymns for the jailers.

There is a present and active theology in our world today that teaches that if your faith is strong enough Jesus will make you happier, richer, and better looking. But, that is the theology of preachers like Joel Olsteen, and other Prosperity Theologians. And to me, that is a dangerous theology, because I know too few people who have cornered the world on happier, wealthier, and prettier. I do believe that our lives are better for being followers of Jesus – and I believe that we are richer in blessings because of Jesus – and I believe we are happier as followers because Jesus has won our salvation. But, to think that our lives will be easier because we follow Jesus is setting ourselves up for an unachievable pedestal.

As Lutherans, we follow the theology of the cross, not a theology of glory. Jesus has won glory for each one of us, but that does not mean that we will see any of that glory on this earth, in this life. Oh we will have our moments. But for most of our lives we will be seeking to better the lives of others through our resources, our time and our prayers as we take up our crosses and follow Jesus. And that may not make us wealthy, but it will make our lives richer.

Pastor Dave