11/2/16
Many churches throughout the world use a Bible reading schedule called a "lectionary." It's just a fancy word meaning "selected readings." Posts like this reflect on the readings for an upcoming Sunday or other Church holiday, as found in the three-year lectionary.
People are surprisingly prone to panic. This applies to Christians and non-Christians alike. In the United States, just now the political climate surrounding a presidential election is a significant issue. It’s a very unusual election cycle and many people are not altogether enthusiastic in their support of any individual running for high office. Many people seem distressed about this to a point of doubting the future of the world. The apostle Paul has a word of comfort in our reading from 2 Thessalonians chapter 2. When the world is going to end, first, it will be obvious to everybody. Second, there is safety and comfort for those who are trusting in Christ. He has come to redeem his people.
There is no political candidate, no economic situation, no cultural phenomenon which can ever take the place of Jesus’ redemption of the world. We are not to be shaken by any of the affairs of this world. What do we do instead? We hold to the teaching we have received, the apostolic tradition which is contained in Scripture. Although we may not know the details of our future life, we do have a sure and certain promise that Jesus has taken care of the great problem of sin and condemnation in the world.
Should we therefore ignore political and cultural happenings? Not at all. Influence in those worldly matters is part of caring for our community, loving our neighbor. But our identity is not to be tied up in any world events. The identity of the Christian is found in Christ.
If this brief meditation was helpful to you, I hope you will check out the other materials on our website at www.WittenbergCoMo.com and consider supporting us.
Many churches throughout the world use a Bible reading schedule called a "lectionary." It's just a fancy word meaning "selected readings." Posts like this reflect on the readings for an upcoming Sunday or other Church holiday, as found in the three-year lectionary.
People are surprisingly prone to panic. This applies to Christians and non-Christians alike. In the United States, just now the political climate surrounding a presidential election is a significant issue. It’s a very unusual election cycle and many people are not altogether enthusiastic in their support of any individual running for high office. Many people seem distressed about this to a point of doubting the future of the world. The apostle Paul has a word of comfort in our reading from 2 Thessalonians chapter 2. When the world is going to end, first, it will be obvious to everybody. Second, there is safety and comfort for those who are trusting in Christ. He has come to redeem his people.
There is no political candidate, no economic situation, no cultural phenomenon which can ever take the place of Jesus’ redemption of the world. We are not to be shaken by any of the affairs of this world. What do we do instead? We hold to the teaching we have received, the apostolic tradition which is contained in Scripture. Although we may not know the details of our future life, we do have a sure and certain promise that Jesus has taken care of the great problem of sin and condemnation in the world.
Should we therefore ignore political and cultural happenings? Not at all. Influence in those worldly matters is part of caring for our community, loving our neighbor. But our identity is not to be tied up in any world events. The identity of the Christian is found in Christ.
If this brief meditation was helpful to you, I hope you will check out the other materials on our website at www.WittenbergCoMo.com and consider supporting us.
RSS Feed