Tag Archives: Strength

Unknown's avatar Rev. David J. Schreffler 4:44 am on June 18, 2015
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Evil Can Be Undone — Rev. David J. Schreffler

June 18, 2015

“There was a rich man, who was clothed in purple and fine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day. And at his gate lay a poor man named Lazarus, full of sores, who desired to be fed with what fell from the rich man’s table; moreover the dogs came and licked his sores. The poor man died and was carried by the angels to Abraham’s bosom. The rich man also died and was buried; and in Hades, being in torment, he lifted up his eyes, and saw Abraham far off and Lazarus in his bosom. And he called out, “Father Abraham, have mercy upon me, and send Lazarus to dip the end of his finger in water and cool my tongue; for I am in anguish in this flame.” Abraham said, “Son, remember that you in your lifetime received your good things, and Lazarus in like manner evil things; but now he is comforted here, and you are in anguish. And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been fixed, in order that those who would pass from here to you many not be able….” Luke 16:19 – 26

“I do not think that all who choose wrong roads perish; but their rescue consists in being put back on the right road. A wrong sum can be put right: but only by going back til you find the error and working it afresh from that point, never by simply going on. Evil can be undone, but it cannot “develop” into good. Time does not heal it. The spell must be unwound, bit by bit, “with backward mutters of dissevering power” — or else not.” “The Great Divorce” C. S. Lewis (1898 – 1963) “For All The Saints”, volume II (p. 102-103)

I was spending the weekend as the chaplain for a local youth event, when I was summoned to a small group with a young woman who had a question. She wanted to know if Hell was a real place. For her argument, she referenced this text from Luke 16 and the story of Lazarus to state that she believed in Hell. I took a moment to collect my thoughts, because I wanted to make sure I was clear in my opinion, because I had the same opinion as C.S. Lewis – at least in this manner of thought: that we must take some responsibility for the separation we experience from our Lord. If we ignore that relationship, then this separation can continue into the “age to come”. (I was also influenced by the writings of Rob Bell, and in particular the book “Love Wins”.) Because the text from Luke mentions the place “Hades”, Jesus is using a place that the Jews clearly understood as having two realms — the realm of bliss (Abraham’s Bosom) and the place of torment. I went on to explain that our lives are in torment when we separate ourselves from G*d.

Whether there is a place of eternal torment is yet to be determined (in my mind), but my efforts now are to be in relationship with G*d. I would never believe that this entitles me to eternal life, but I believe that Jesus has won that right for me. Any attempts I make to remove myself from a relationship with G*d places me in torment now, and when I come to myself and realize the road I find myself on, I rework my thoughts and actions to place my self back on the right road. It cannot be accomplished by wishes or “plans” — it takes the work of setting ourselves back on the right path.  Ultimately our work is not so that we will receive eternal life, but “because” Christ brings us eternal life now, and in the age to come.

Pastor Dave

Unknown's avatar Rev. David J. Schreffler 4:44 am on June 15, 2015
Tags: , , Strength   

Christ Has Given us Bragging Rights — Rev. David J. Schreffler

June 15, 2015

“I thank Christ Jesus who has given me strength for this, because he judged me faithful by appointing me to his service…” 1 Timothy 1:12

“You join the ranks of thousands of men and women who for the most part have said with St. Paul: “I thank Christ Jesus, our Lord, Who hath enabled me, for that He counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry.” In the discharge of their debt of love to G*d and man, a host of them have already gone down into the grave, by men unpraised, by the world unknown. While others filled the world with the breath of their name, they counted it their honor to fill thrones in heaven. They thought it far better to part with gold than with G*d, to bear the heaviest cross than miss a heavenly crown.” Martin Luther Koehneke (1916-1995) (Addressing the graduates of Concordia Teachers College in 1955) “For All the Saints”, volume IV (p. 73)

Of course many of us know the back story of St. Paul — having been self-appointed to persecute followers of Jesus, Christ “converted” him to being chief of Apostles. And though this calling was not an easy road, he followed that road to his death. And even in the midst of his own persecution and troubles, he says “Thank you — Lord — for you have appointed me to this calling — you have found me faithful enough, even in my weaknesses.”

If we go into this calling to be good and faithful servants of Christ expecting riches and prosperity, we go into this calling with hearts that are not set right. No, I am not saying that the rich cannot enter into the kingdom of G*d. I am saying that I agree with Martin Koehneke — that there are greater rewards than money, riches, etc. for being called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ. And to this calling Paul boasted. Martin Luther writes: “When I was only a young theologian and doctor, I thought it was imprudent of Paul in his epistle to boast of his call so often. But I did not understand his purpose, for I did not know that the ministry of the Word of G*d was so weighty a matter. When we boast…we are not looking for prestige in the world or praise from men or money… The reason for our proud boasting is that we are in a divine calling and in G*d’s own work…”

So, if you find yourself “bragging” about your church, think of it as good evangelism – because, like Paul, Christ has judged us to be the kind of people he wants “in his service”. If there is something going on in your church that you are excited about, tell people. We have so many ways of sharing news today — through all of the social media outlets that are at our fingertips.

What are you excited about that you can tell someone today, or this week or this year, about what is happening at your church — or even in your faith life?

Pastor Dave