From the Associate
As I write this article, January is coming to a close, and February is nearly here. The beginning of a new year always brings with it hopes to get things right this time. These hopes often manifest themselves as New Year’s Resolutions. Perhaps you’ve resolved to exercise more and eat less; save more and spend less; or listen more and talk less. These are good resolutions, and if you’ve made them, I sincerely hope you haven’t been derailed already! But each of these resolutions and many others we try, fail in their attempt to add meaning to our lives. Even if we could keep every worldly resolution, we would still search for that peace and completeness that comes only from God. So this year, I invite you to join me in a spiritual resolution: I resolve to attend bible study regularly in order that I may grow closer to my God and to His people.
Bible study is a wonderful place to learn who God is and what he has done, continues to do, and will do in the future for you. It is through the study of God’s word that we know Him more and recognize his fingerprints on our daily lives. His word changes us; it equips us for the works He’s prepared in advance for us to do (Eph 2:10). Group bible study is so good for the church! We gather in groups around the Word of God and we grow together. God’s Word intersects the trials of our lives and binds the Church (you, the fellowship of believers) together as we seek to face life in this world as disciples of Christ.
Luther had some strong words to say about the dangers and excuses for neglecting the study of scripture:
The neglect of Scripture, even by spiritual leaders, is one of the greatest evils in the world. Everything else, arts or literature, is pursued and practiced day and night, and there is no end of labor and effort; but Holy Scripture is neglected as though there were no need of it. Those who condescend to read it want to absorb everything at once. There has never been an art or a book on earth that everyone has so quickly mastered as the Holy Scriptures. But its words are not, as some think, mere literature ; they are words of life, intended not for speculation and fancy but for life and action. But why complain? No one pays any attention to our lament. May Christ our Lord help us by His Spirit to love and honor His holy Word with all our hearts. Amen (LW 14:46).
You should diligently learn the Word of God and by no means imagine that you know it. Let him who is able to read take a psalm in the morning, or some other chapter of Scripture, and study it for a while. This is what I do. When I get up in the morning, I pray and recite the Ten Commandments, the Creed, and the Lord's Prayer with the children, adding any one of the psalms. I do this only to keep myself well acquainted with these matters, and I do not want to let the mildew of the notion grow that I know them well enough. The devil is a greater rascal than you think he is. You do as yet not know what sort of fellow he is and what a desperate rogue you are. His definite design is to get you tired of the Word and in this way to draw you away from it. This is his aim (WA 32, 64f.).
Let us take these words of Luther to heart. Do they sound harsh? Are they true? Indeed the words of law convict us of our sins, and we must pause and repent. Thanks be to God that He extends mercy after mercy, willing us to know Him and his grace. I hope that you will each resolve to join one of the eight adult bible studies offered here each week, to come as often as you are able to gather around God’s precious word and to gather and grow together with your brothers and sisters in Christ here at St. Paul Lutheran Church. May God bind us together with ties that cannot be broken! To Him be glory forever! Amen.
Pastor Mat