Carolyn Ylitalo | The Voice of Zion September 2022 - Home and Family Article -- Here as a flick’ring candle has been my life of faith; often my footsteps stumble and waver on the way. But from the open fountain which freely flows in Zion new strength I here receive. – SHZ 560:1 The songwriter so beautifully portrays the life of a believer. As believers we are “not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation” (Rom. 1:16). The gospel message flows freely from our brothers and sisters in faith. Many of us are blessed with escorts in our home setting, or they are a phone call away if we live alone. Our lives ebb and flow. We go from school life to work life. Regardless of one’s calling and individual place of watching, we endeavor daily to walk as children of God. We are strangers in a foreign land. Our school mates and coworkers may notice we are different. God’s children identify as a group – people who believe the same. Part of our identity is being a child of God. It is a treasure to be identified this way. Yet we stumble, like Peter did when he was hesitant to admit he was a follower of Christ. Sometimes I have felt embarrassed in public when someone has made a comment that singles me out. For example, at a previous workplace two coworkers were visiting in the break room and their talk included a string of swear words. As I walked into the room, the speaker apologized to me for swearing. I mumbled, “That’s okay.” I felt sheepish that they would notice this difference. I think this is only a small part of the text, “for I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ.” A word similar to “ashamed” is “embarrassed” and as timid believers it is easy to feel embarrassed. Without even opening our mouths we may be noticed to be different and being different can feel uncomfortable. It wasn’t until later that I appreciated the apology for swearing in front of me. I didn’t need to be embarrassed of my faith. We can be flickering candles in the dark world. We pray for strength and pray that those outside of God’s kingdom could be called into God’s kingdom. How do we keep our individual walks of faith aligned with God’s kingdom? When we put away sin it is our desire to be obedient to God’s Word. Our desire is to attend services to strengthen our faith. At services the sweet message of the gospel is preached. Throughout my life Satan has tempted me many times not to go services. My list of reasons changes over time. I have heard speaker brothers also share this temptation to stay away from the hearing of God’s Word. “The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak.” Once we get to services, we are happy to be there; thankful that we came. The gospel gives strength to travel one more day. At times I feel ashamed to ask for the gospel when Satan tells me no one will understand or when I have become proud and convinced that my actions and poor behavior are justified. Whatever lies Satan uses to deceive us are not true. Our escorts in faith freely preach the gospel. They are drowned in the sea of grace never to be remembered again. Dear youth, remember that your parents and grandparents were young once and there are no new sins under the sun. Freely go to the grace fountain to care for your matters. Parents, today is the time to start blessing your children. When I was a new mother at mother’s camp, the minister gave instruction to bless your babies. At first I thought it felt a little funny to bless an innocent baby. Yet, they have inherited sin. I would have not known when is a “good” time or age to start. It is so beautiful when three-year-olds learn how to bless you in return. Children are so forgiving and are wonderful teachers on how to believe. When we endeavor to keep faith and a clean conscience a great reward awaits us in heaven one day. Blended-Race Family Christine Hautala | The Voice of Zion September 2022 - Home and Family Article -- Greetings from our Finnish-American-Colombian family! I am Christine, married to Onni Hautala and we reside in Helsinki, Finland. We have lived here in the capital region of Finland for most of the nearly eighteen years of our life together. After getting married in 2004, we thought our family would grow as so many other families do. God had His own plans for us, however. Our first son, Noa, was born in January 2009. We were given several years with Noa as our only child. We embraced the chance to give him our undivided attention and the opportunity to travel the world with him. By the time Noa turned eight, a feeling had strengthened within our family that our home and our hearts had more love to give. Gradually we came to understand that if it was meant to be, we could also become adoptive parents. Our journey to adopt started in 2018. In November of 2020, we found ourselves packing our bags to travel to Colombia – Luka, our four-month-old baby son, a brother for Noa, was waiting for us to come and bring him home. During the lengthy adoption process and before we knew anything about Colombia, we had several conversations with our social worker on various topics. One discussion in particular stood out. We were instructed to ponder the various special needs or backgrounds an adopted child may have. We had to think about the ethnicity of the child – Colombia is a diverse country. Furthermore, in addition to possibly having physical disabilities, a child waiting for adoption has a family history which can be traumatic. These considerations were required in the formal process in which we had to define what kind of a child we believed we would be able to care for. Our faith and the outlook on life that comes with it was a solid refuge in the midst of these contemplations. All children are gifts of God, regardless of their ethnicity, background or how they have entered the world. They have the right to be accepted and loved just as they are – innocent saplings from heaven. Already a family integrating two distinct cultures, it felt natural for us to pursue an international adoption. Over the years we had blended traditions to create our own family heritage and cherished the richness this brings. Getting the chance to learn about another culture would only yield more to all of us. Consequently, with the newest addition to our family, there is another identity now that is visible: race. We are thankful to our heavenly Father that in this age and time we are living, people are generally aware of the sensitivities related to this topic. In the year and a half we have had Luka, we have received overwhelming love and support from family, friends and the community around us. As we felt with Noa, Luka is a reminder of the power of God in our lives. Somehow, this is captured in Psalm 139 which we revisited around Luka’s baptism: Your eyes saw my unformed body. In your book all my days were written, the days that were ordained for me, when as yet there were none of them. It is with awe and thankfulness that we look back over the past years, times of joy, sorrow and even excruciating uncertainties. As we were told in the beginning of our married life, we can plan, but God decides. So it has been. Positive Identity: Being a Child of God Erica Hendrickson, pre-school education specialist | The Voice of Zion September 2022 - Home and Family Article -- How do we help a child discover who they are as an individual and hold true to that while also keeping their identity as a believer in a world with so many opinions and beliefs? There are many forms of identity we have as a person, and we hope they all meld easily into one to make our whole: our identity as an individual, who we are in a family unit, in a friends’ group, and our identity in a larger community. Adults can encourage children’s sense of individual identity by showing interest in the things children are interested in. Conversation about interests and about the day’s activities also encourage the individual. Noticing and conversing helps a child feel valued as an individual and also keeps communication lines open. If that line of communication is free and open when children are young, then they will be much more likely to talk about important issues that come up when they are older. When young people have a positive sense of who they are as individuals, they are less likely to want to change for others or to seek less desirable means of connection. When disagreements and other negative behaviors arise, modeling for children how to say “I’m sorry, I was wrong” is an important restorative measure, along with the power of the gospel, to restore love. Individuals also need to feel respected and valued as part of a family and a community; this means having a place where you feel you belong. We can ask key questions to think about this: Does every child feel like they are an important part of the family unit? Does every child feel they belong at church? Personal connections are needed for a sense of belonging. One way to foster this connection at church and Sunday school is to greet everyone by name. We can encourage children to say hello and greet others by name as well. Even if we don’t have common interests with another person, we can still be welcoming and polite. This helps us keep a loving connection with everyone at church, instead of ignoring those with whom we find it challenging to connect. We all want a place where we can be ourselves and still belong. Every child wants to feel seen and heard. We all have different personalities, interests and physical appearances and God intended us to be created that way. Developing a sense of empathy allows children to help others find connections and a sense of belonging. Look at other children’s faces and identify the emotion that is there. Then talk about what makes us feel a certain way. Developing this skill as a young child helps them express how they are feeling as well and as children get older, they will have the words to explain how their peer relationships are going and they will also be able to notice how others are feeling. This ability to articulate and express feelings helps children develop their own identities – by being heard. And this practice helps others by developing the habit of noticing when someone else may seem lost or struggling to fit in. The beauty of looking at things through the eyes of a child is that most things can be simplified into being kind. Some people look different, some people like different things, we may not agree with some things people do or say, but we can still be kind and respectful because these are people God has also created. How can you be a light unto the world? It starts with small acts of kindness that become an instilled behavior, so when children get older, they are respectful towards others and may be able to have open conversations with others, even with someone who may be seeking God’s kingdom. A concept we work on at the preschool level is self-advocacy. A key adage to remember here is “If you don’t like something, say something.” It is good to start at a very young age to encourage children to say something when they are uncomfortable. It is also good that they are aware not everyone thinks the way we do, and they may do things differently in their home. The innocence and boldness of a child is a reminder of how we should live our lives. They are willing to accept people as they are, bold enough to say when something is wrong, kind enough to welcome them in. The ability to say no is important. When we allow children to say no at a young age, they have the practice for when they encounter more peer pressure at an older age. For example, if a child is not done playing with a toy it’s ok if they do not share right away. It’s a balance between not keeping things all to themselves and not feeling like they must give something up just because someone asks. We hope that when they face peer pressure at an older age, they will have the confidence to say “no” or “I don’t like that” or “I don’t want to.” Parents are a child’s first and most important teacher. It is the duty of parents, friends and family to teach the ABCs of faith. We are fortunate to have a variety of resources at our fingertips to help teach our young. The LLC has produced several books and music albums to fill our home, materials that we know will help teach the basics. Books are a great catalyst for conversation about how we believe. Music is also a powerful tool. Children remember, as adults, the songs they sang as a child. Most of us are also fortunate that we are able to attend church regularly. Though it is sometimes taken for granted and one may become complacent in attending, prioritizing church attendance for children is so important. Bringing children to church functions helps them build the most positive identity: that of believing, being a believer. There at church we hope all children can make positive connections with peers who will be their escorts along the way. Questions for Discussion What helps us identify another believer, even one who is previously unknown? What traits do we notice? Our identity is socially developed. In view of this, what contributes positively to a child’s identity development? What contributes negatively? Explain how name calling, often using an identity label viewed as negative, can be hurtful to all people involved. Our children and young ones learn by example. In what ways do adults’ actions and words contribute to a young person’s upbringing and identity? Believers’ identity is tied to the gospel. Explain this connection!

Carey Simonson | The Voice of Zion April 2017 - The Sabbath Word 1 -- The same day there came certain of the Pharisees, saying unto him, Get thee out, and depart hence: for Herod will kill thee. And he said unto them, Go ye, and tell that fox, Behold, I cast out devils, and I do cures to day and to morrow, and the third day I shall be perfected. Nevertheless I must walk to day, and to morrow, and the day following: for it cannot be that a prophet perish out of Jerusalem. O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, which killest the prophets, and stonest them that are sent unto thee; how often would I have gathered thy children together, as a hen doth gather her brood under her wings, and ye would not! Behold, your house is left unto you desolate: and verily I say unto you, Ye shall not see me, until the time come when ye shall say, Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord.—Luke 13:31–35 Passion The fifth Sunday in Lent is Passion Sunday. Here Passion means the suffering Jesus experienced on Maundy Thursday and Good Friday during Passion Week (the week prior to Easter). In our text, the Pharisees warned Jesus that Herod wanted to kill Him. Jesus replied, “Be­hold, I cast out devils, and I do cures to day and to morrow, and the third day I shall be perfected.” Jesus refers to His coming resurrection from the grave on Easter, a victory over sin and death. Jesus knew that He must continue the work that His Father had sent Him to do until it was time for Him to be crucified (John 9:4). His work was to preach the gospel of God’s kingdom and to call sinners to repentance (Matt. 4:17; Mark 2:17). Jesus also performed miracles “that you may be­­lieve that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you might have life through his name” (John 20:31). Jesus continues: “Nevertheless I must walk to day, and to morrow, and the day following: for it cannot be that a prophet perish out of Jerusalem.” Only at the appointed time would Jesus suffer and die. He was willing and prepared to give His life so that all people could have life by believing on Him (John 3:16). Christ's Love Calls, Gathers “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, which killest the prophets, and stonest them that are sent unto thee; how often would I have gathered thy children together, as a hen doth gather her brood under her wings, and ye would not!” When we read these words we can feel the love that Jesus had for the people of Jerusalem, the spiritual center of His Jewish nation, even though they had rejected Him. This is the same love that Christ extends to people of all nations. We may wonder: how could someone reject this loving call? However, Scriptures say: “But though He [Jesus] had done so many miracles before them, yet they believed not on Him: That the saying of Esaias the prophet might be fulfilled, which he spake, Lord, who hath believed our report? and to whom hath the arm of the Lord been revealed? Therefore they could not believe, because that Esaias said again, He hath blinded their eyes, and hardened their heart; that they should not see with their eyes, nor understand with their heart, and be converted, and I should heal them” (John 12:37–40). Christ’s love calls all sinners to come to Him and gathers His own to a place of rest. “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Matt. 11:28). Holy Spirit Calls, Gathers Jesus promised that the Holy Spirit would continue His work when He returned to the Father in heaven. “But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you” (John 14:26). Thus, the Holy Spirit continues the work of calling sinners. “And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely” (Rev. 22:17). This call is not an earthly or fleshly call. It is a spiritual call. A call to drink of the living waters that flow in God’s kingdom. These waters are the gospel of the forgiveness of sins and give life to those who believe. Just as Christ yearned to gather the children of Jerusalem “as a hen doth gather her brood under her wings,” the Holy Spirit yearns to gather God’s children together to­­day. We only need to submit to this love and allow ourselves to be in the tender care of the Holy Spirit in God’s kingdom. In this care we are secure and protected, which contrasts Jesus’ prophesy for Jerusalem. “Behold, your house is left unto you desolate: and verily I say unto you, Ye shall not see me, until the time come when ye shall say, Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord.” The multitudes would praise Jesus as He entered Jerusalem on Palm Sunday (Matt. 21:9), but would shout “Crucify him, crucify him” (Luke 23:21) on Good Friday. Later, the visitation of the Gentiles would begin (Act 13:46) and the city of Jerusalem would be destroyed by the Romans. Nevertheless, in God’s kingdom even the servants have plenty to eat (Luke 15:17) and through eyes of faith, revealed by the Holy Spirit, we see our Savior and Redeemer Jesus Christ. O blind and foolish nations, will you the Savior shun? The kingdom He established is not an earthly one. No pow’r can overthrow it, nor earthly wisdom know it. Hosanna to the King, O daughter of Zion, sing! The city Jesus entered, its temple is no more; its festive songs are silenced, its sacrifices o’er. But Zion, silent never, proclaims Him priest forever. Hosanna to the King, O daughter of Zion, sing! (SHZ 5:4,5)

Sam Roiko | The Voice of Zion May 2017 -- We live in a time when we experience instantaneous communication with individuals across the world through social media and the Internet. This has developed to a point where it seems that our standard expectations of communication are that it would be rapid and brief. The era of waiting days for a letter to arrive in the mail are largely gone. In our time, it seems that if the exchange of messages does not take place rapidly, it is not worth waiting for. We become frustrated when the network seems to take an extra second to load a webpage. We may habitually refresh our email or check to see if any new messages have arrived. Often, communication is reduced to a picture on Instagram or Snapchat with a few words for a caption, or a 160-character Tweet, or a brief text message. Many times a concise response in email or a short message is all that is expected. Our eyes glaze over when an email longer than a paragraph appears in the inbox. Combining the rapid pace and short length of messages results in a stream of information that flows by our eyes at a dizzying pace. It can often seem impossible to keep up with—many times we can scroll far in Facebook or Twitter or Whatsapp (we even call these platforms “feeds”!) to find something we would have already seen. In such a time, we easily become habituated to the rapid pace of messages and information. It can seem that we seldom are able to take the time to read and think about what has been written. When we consider our life of faith and endeavor in this world, it is important that we take the time to read and study God’s Word. The enemy of souls works to fill our lives and our time with mindless streams of information, so that we would not pause and read the Bible or the publications of believers. Reading the Bible, God’s written Word, is an important activity that we all too often neglect in our daily life. We feel our smallness before God’s Word and often lack understanding. When we approach this reading with a humble mind, God can bless those moments! If we don’t understand what we read, we can freely with Luther “tip our hats in honor and pass it by.” Reading the Bible is often challenging, considering the density of text and King James language. We have a great blessing in our publications work: believers have been moved to write about their life’s experiences or discuss Scripture texts. The articles in the publications of the believers are written at a level that is often easier to read, with the goal to encourage the believer in faith and shine the light of God’s kingdom into this world. We sing in a dear and familiar song of Zion, “With sel­­­f­­­­­ishness and hurry, how blinded we become…” (SHZ 420:3). May we remember to pause in our busy lives and read the publications and study the Bible! These help us in our endeavor of faith, and often in the midst of everyday life, we find that these moments around Christian publications and God’s Word provide the encouragement to continue to believe. As Paul reminded the Colossian believers, “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom” (Col. 3:16).

Matthew Keranen | The Voice of Zion December 2020 -- Hitherto hath the Lord helped us. – 1 Sam. 7:12 Another year is passing. In a sense, the turn of the year is no more momentous than any other moment in time; time always ticks its course forward and on. Yet the new year, the increase by one numeral at the end of four digits feels like a change, the end of something old, the start of something new. We take stock of the year that is ending. A look back can help inspire hopes, goals and dreams for what is to come. Meanwhile, we ask ourselves, how has this year’s journey gone? We know God has already assigned each of us a number of days, a number of years here on this earth. Each day is one day less to live, each year brings us a year closer to the end of our life. In this perspective, and especially as the number of days and years spent here accrue, these days and years feel like a gift. We can pause to thank God for all that has passed, all we have experienced, and especially for His grace, which suffices year to year. God is the source of the strength that again this year carried us to each new dawn. The year 2020 has been exceptional. When it began, we couldn’t know what was in store for us. A global pandemic overtook us in the spring and brought many changes to how we study, work, live and even worship. Many areas of the country experienced stay-at-home orders, and our houses of worship were closed for a period of time. Instead of gathering with other children of God, we stayed in the midst of the congregation in our home to gather around God’s living Word. The big, festive gatherings at special services were changed to online broadcasts. Sunday schools and Bible classes happened via online meeting platforms or in video format. Social gatherings and travel were limited as well. As we ponder the meaning of all this, we can also ask ourselves: how did I receive this new situation God set before me? In the face of continuing restrictions and continuing illness, we must rely on God’s guidance and pray to God for patience and acceptance. We especially ask God for the gift of healing and health to those who have fallen ill to the coronavirus or other afflictions. This year was also an election year, one in which United States’ citizens elected a president. The year, on this score, was not without strong opinions or harsh judgments as well as discussions about race, equality and justice. We are thankful for our government, our laws and our constitution, which are gifts from God. We especially send a prayer of thanks to God for the right to exercise our religion. We acknowledge that our leaders are set in their positions according to God’s will and they deserve our respect. We wish our next president God’s blessings and success in leading our nation. We ask God to grant every country’s leaders and all of us the peace to do the tasks God sets before us. We pray God blesses our nations’ people and awakens in each heart the desire to seek peace in daily life and peace of conscience. Christmas is called the season of giving. God is the richest Giver, and on us He bestows His rich grace. We should pause to consider how we have used God’s grace gifts. Each of us individually must ponder, how have I borne my cross, my burdens? Have I faced what life places before me with acceptance and acknowledgement of God’s providence? How have I treated my neighbor? Have I showed compassion? Have I been a vessel of God’s love and grace? In taking stock of this past year, in light of these questions I pose to myself, I find myself woefully lacking. I have failed on all those counts. Were it not for the grace that suffices for each of us and for every day of the year, I would have had to admit defeat in the face of all that is asked of me. I have not carried my trials with gladness, but with sighs and anger and self-pity. I can only thank God for His saving grace that, to this moment, has sustained me. Advent and Christmas are a good preface to the new year. Advent is a time of waiting, and the message of Christmas is that we can always have a fresh start. No matter what kind of year we’ve had, we can gladly observe the birth of this innocent baby, the one who was born for us and died for us. Again we are reminded that the words of love from the manger and words of grace from the cross are ours to own. May we be given words in the new year, as God sees fit, to share of this great gift with our neighbors who seek peace. As Christmas approaches, and an old year passes, we thank our heavenly Father for His gifts of mercy and love, for the goodness and blessings that, exceptional times notwithstanding, do suffice from day to day. On behalf of the LLC Communications staff, I wish you a peaceful Christmas and a wonderful, blessed 2021.

Paul Honkala | The Voice of Zion December 2020 -- In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life; and the life was the light of men. And the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth. – John 1:1–4,14 Read the entire Bible portion in John 1:1–14. John, the Apostle of Love, wrote these words to remind us of the great love of the heavenly Father toward sin-fallen humans. We are now in the Advent season preparing for the festivities of Christmas, when families gather, sing hymns, share meals and exchange gifts. The events of the Christmas season can too easily become common practice. It’s important to pause to consider the meaning of Christmas. God Created All People and Hope of Heaven Our text relates; “In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made.” We can see in nature the powerful hand of God, who created all things. The birth of a child and its first cry of life make us marvel at the great work of God. However, dear travel friend, we can look even closer at the work of God: that hope of heaven placed in your heart, that Christmas peace, the knowledge that you own living faith and that your sins are forgiven in Jesus’ name and blood. This is the great work of God. He has given you the gift of living faith – the greatest treasure one could own. What is this gift of living faith? The Holy Spirit dwells in the heart of a believing person. It not only places hope in the heart, it teaches one to stay away from things that bring danger to the life of faith. It encourages us to attend services, to hear God’s Word. It teaches us to seek the safe center of the flock of God’s children. It teaches us to keep faith and a good conscience. It teaches us to comfort and care for one another. Most importantly, it gives us strength to believe our own sins forgiven in Jesus’ name and blood. God has done all of this by His Word. John the Baptist Bore Witness God so loved fallen people that he sent His only Son into the world that through Him sinners might be saved. As our text relates, the forerunner of Jesus was John the Baptist. John came to bear witness that all men through Christ might believe. John was given to understand the work of Jesus. It was John’s heartfelt desire that humankind would learn of God's word and believe the works that Jesus was to accomplish. This is also the heart of a believer today. When one considers the greatest gift of all – living faith – the believer wishes it for everyone. We need to pray for a heart like John the Baptist that we could boldly speak of God’s grace for the penitent sinner. This matter of confessing our faith is not an easy one. The believer carries this earthly portion that often battles against the holy portion. We are slow to speak our own psalm of faith, and we often feel powerless. It is important to remember when we speak our own psalm to an unbelieving person, God promises to fill our mouth with words. This is not easy to believe. We are always left to that place of trusting God. We also know and understand that we cannot give faith to anyone. God prepares and opens the heart of a person in unbelief to receive His word. That is the reason that John the Baptist preached of Jesus the coming Savior. He was given to understand this great work of God’s son. Like John, We Also Bear Witness This same knowledge that John the Baptist understood you also know and understand. When sins are forgiven in Jesus’ name and blood, you also own Christmas peace. Through eyes of faith your hope is anchored to heaven’s shore. The believing heart has this unceasing prayer to God: keep me in living faith. At this Christmas season we pause to consider the great gift of faith; we, along with John the Baptist, want all people to own it. We pray, that God gives each of us strength to speak of the greatest Christmas gift of all, living faith.

The Voice of Zion October 2019 -- God created us. All of us humans are part of God’s creation work. God gives each of us a time and a place to live. We can’t choose our time of birth, where we’re born, our culture, our country, our family. We build our lives upon the blessings God gives and trust in His guidance. Each person created by God in His image and redeemed by Christ has equal human value. To God, each of His creations is a valuable, unique individual. We look different, we have different natures, we have different gifts. These differences reflect the richness of God’s creation work. We live in a world with many values. In all times, including the present moment, the surrounding culture with its array of values has an effect on believers’ lives as well. We view how others – both those who believe like us and those who believe differently – live their lives and we sense what values guide the decisions they make. In turn, we reflect and evaluate our own lives based on what we see around us. We compare and contrast. We draw conclusions about other people based on how they speak or how they dress or what kind of car they drive. We make assumptions based on what circles others move in, how often they attend services and how they appear to spend their free time. We shouldn’t be hasty in drawing conclusions about others, categorizing them and labeling them. We do not know what thoughts, beliefs, experiences, joys and sorrows, gains and losses guide another person’s behavior and life choices. When we encounter those who live another life style or come from another culture or who appear to believe differently, it helps us remember that we are not all clones of each other. Nonetheless, we are all God’s creations. We all own an undying soul. We recall Jesus’ Great Commandment: Love your neighbor as you love yourselves. It is especially important to remember that the saving message of grace is meant for all people. When we see a lifestyle that is not according to God’s word, we can feel free to believe as we believe and still love our neighbor. We show love to the person, not the lifestyle. Each of us in our own way, through our own example, through the love we give, can be extending an invitation to those who are not partakers of God’s grace. How can we do this in our daily lives? We can maintain open, friendly communication with all people. We can act in ways that invite rather than pushing away. We can avoid judging others: our attitudes are often more visible than we think and can erect thick boundaries. Instead of judging, we can lovingly speak of the dangers of living contrary to how God’s Word teaches. We can encourage others to live according to God’s will and support them in their endeavor to do so. We can invite them to join us at church services and other events of God’s children. We may sometimes feel that faith is something that is accepted only by those who have believed before. However, we don’t know God’s plan for any particular human being. God, in His goodness, may choose to use you or me as a messenger, a vessel of His love, as a mouthpiece to speak the saving words of the gospel. God may choose us to help those who have found the treasure of living faith learn more about what it means to live in these times as a believer. Often the way we live our own lives and treat and talk about other people is a powerful lesson to others. When the gospel of forgiveness of sins is preached and the gift of faith is born in a person’s heart through the power of the Holy Spirit, then a spiritual bond – the communion of saints – is formed between God’s children. You can read more about this in the second chapter of the letter to the Ephesians. New believers are filled with the joy of believing, the relief they feel to know their sins are forgiven and their names are in the Book of Life. Our hearts join in this joy, and we believe the joy is felt in heaven as well. God’s congregation is the community of saints, believing people. The congregation is our mother, and God is our Father. Christ is the head of the congregation. His work continues through the Holy Spirit. When we attend services, we hear what the spirit speaks to the congregation. Our faith is strengthened and our understanding clears. Love is a fruit of faith, and we show this love to our neighbors. All of this is a gift from God, not something we have created or earned. The world doesn’t see it or understand it, but some people sense it. Some might long for it. If someone asks about it, or longs to have what you have, freely answer with the words that God gives you. ‍

Hanna Ottman | The Voice of Zion November 2019 -- Installment 10 of 20, translated from the book Christ Is the Same Yesterday, Today, and Forever: Writings on the Basics of Faith and Doctrine. (Ed. Ari-Pekka Palola, SRK, 2018) During the Reformation, Lutheran beliefs came to be categorized as material and formal principles. The formal principle took a stand on what the highest authority is on faith and doctrine. Lutheranism emphasized the authority of the Bible, whereas in the Catholic church tradition had gained a near-biblical position in deciding questions of faith. The material principle, meanwhile, summarized the core ideas on how a person is justified, meaning how a person can be acceptable to God: by faith alone, by grace alone, by the merits of Christ alone. This understanding comes from the Bible and has remained true throughout the ages. The Word Faith In religious language, the word faith has many meanings. On the one hand, it is used to describe faith in the existence of something. In this sense, even evil spirits can be said to believe in God, namely that God exists (James 2:19). A much broader meaning of the word faith is found, for example, in the sentence “I believe in God.” Here faith is not merely an acknowledgement that God exists, but rather it tells of a deeper faith. Faith comes close to trusting and placing hope on something: I believe that God is my Savior, my refuge, my hope and my salvation. The latter example shows that in religious language, faith does not mean just holding something to be true. It is that also, but in such a case the things held to be true are very extraordinary things such as God as the Creator, the virgin birth, the doctrine of Christ’s two natures or the office of the Holy Spirit. Our belief that the Bible’s revelation is true is not based on scientific study, life experience, probability or sensory perceptions; rather it is based on it being God’s revelation. We are told in the Bible that it is so, and we believe that it is true. In this way, faith is much more than just holding something to be true: it requires trust in the source, the giver of the information, which is God. Faith does not contradict knowledge and knowing, rather on the contrary it often leads to a desire to know and to study. On the other hand, knowing is not necessarily a part of faith. If this were so, children or the severely disabled would not be able to believe. Conversely, holding the revelation of the Bible to be true is not a sufficient definition of faith. If this were so, all who accept the revelation of the Bible would be righteous. Faith can thus exist without knowledge that is logically organized, but knowledge cannot give birth to faith. Faith, however, causes a desire to study the Word of God and learn more about it. What Is Faith? Religious Faith In theology, the faith that is referred to in religious language is called religious faith (fides). It is often examined from two points of view: on the one hand there is the faith which believes (fides qua), on the other hand the faith which is believed (fides quae). The concept of faith which believes is used to describe what happens in believing: the experience of God’s presence, security and fellowship as well as unlimited trust in God and dependence on Him. In this case, faith is regarded as a means of owning the object and contents of faith. The concept of faith which is believed, meanwhile, is used to describe the faith that God begets. In this case, the object and contents of faith – meaning the salvation available in Christ – are described. This categorization may seem artificial or like unnecessary preciosity. However, this can be used to clarify a few important points. Faith, which Believes, Is a Gift of God In examining faith which believes (fides qua), we find one of the most central characteristics of faith: faith is a gift. When we say that faith is a gift from God, we mean many different things. On the one hand, faith is free: humans have paid nothing for faith and have been unable to give anything in return. Second, faith is a gift in the sense that one cannot demand faith for himself or herself nor can one choose to believe. Third, the nature of faith as a gift means that a person cannot develop his or her own faith. A person does not have a natural ability or tendency that he or she could practice and learn to believe. Believing is completely a God-given gift and effected by God: “By grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God” (Eph. 2:8). “This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent” (John 6:29). “Without me ye can do nothing” (John 15:5). Faith is essential for human salvation. “Without faith it is impossible to please him: he that cometh to God, must believe that he is” (Heb. 11:6). This faith is not directed at an abstract afterlife, rather it is a person’s belief in a distinct God; in faith one gains a connection to God and establishes a you-me relationship. Faith is trusting, seeking security in God, being in fellowship with God and relying on Him. “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen” (Heb. 1:11). God grants this faith through His congregation. The birth of faith is the work of the third person of the Godhead, the Holy Spirit, and the Holy Spirit does its office through believing people (John 20:22,23). The Word preached through the power of the Holy Spirit gives birth to faith in the listener where and whenever God wills. Paul taught, “Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Rom. 10:17). Every believer is a messenger of God, to whom God Himself has given the duty to speak of Christ and through whom the blessing of Christ’s redemption work is brought near to a person, to be owned and for his or her salvation’s sake (2 Cor. 5:17–20). Faith which Is Believed Faith that makes one righteous is not just the right relationship and attitude, but rather it has an object and it has contents. It is described with the other concept, faith which is believed (fida quae). The contents of faith is described for example in creeds that summarize the basic truths of faith. We stated previously, however, that faith is not at its core holding something to be true, but rather that the contents of faith is something much deeper. Faith (fides qua) owns its object and contents (fides quae). Understanding this is important for understanding the whole concept of faith. In order to determine what that is, we must examine more closely what the contents of faith is and what it means to own it. The Contents of Faith Christ The contents of faith can be summarized in one word: Christ. Faith receives the Word, which is Christ. In the Word – the living gospel – preached through the Holy Spirit, Christ whom faith owns is present (1 Cor. 3:11; 2 Cor. 5:17–20). Throughout salvation history, a person’s salvation has been based on faith, which contains only one thing: Christ. Humans were created through Christ (the Word) (John 1:1–4; Rom. 11:36; 1 Cor. 8:6; Col. 1:15–17). Even the righteousness of humans in paradise was Christ’s righteousness. Since they were created in God’s image, they lived in fellowship with God, partakers of God and His righteousness (Gen. 1:26; 2:17). The situation changed in the fall into sin, when the humans believed the serpent more than God. Sin separated humans from God. The humans lost their righteousness and became subject to the power of sin and death and to the wrath of God. Their will changed such that they loved evil and their reason and understanding turned to serve the enemy of souls. This was the situation in which God promised His Son to save humankind (Gen. 3:15). The promise of Christ was immediately true to one who believed on it. Adam and Eve were thus granted the gift of faith, which owned the contents of the promise, Christ. Old Christians have taught that the aim of all of creation was to save humankind through the redemption and atonement work of Christ. For this reason, Christ is referred to as the second Adam: just as the first Adam was created in Christ and to be a partaker of God’s righteousness, in the second Adam – Christ – sin-fallen humankind was created anew and was reconciled to fellowship with God (Rom. 5:15–19). The Works of Christ The Bible emphasizes two aspects in Christ’s work: on the one hand, Christ overcame sin, death and the power of satan (redemption); on the other hand, He appeased God’s wrath (atonement). Both of these works were possible only for Christ, who was both God and human. Due to the very fact that Jesus Christ was human and God in one person, He was able to fulfill the law, die sinless, rise from the dead and overcome the power of sin and death and atone for God’s wrath (2 Cor. 5:14–19). It must be noted that Christ did not remove sin, death and God’s anger towards sin. Original sin did not cease to exist, but rather humankind is still completely corrupt and each person is completely sinful. But the power of sin and death has been overcome in Christ, and humankind has been restored to fellowship with God. Because of this reconciliation to righteousness (recapitulatio), a child also has saving faith: the child is born into humanity which carries inherited sin but which is also reconciled to God in Christ. Faith Brings Christ and His Works When we say that the contents of faith is Christ, we speak of the victor over the power of death and sin, He in whom God and man combined. Faith brings to Christians the complete Christ and with Him His work, His victory over the power of sin (redemption) and His suffering of punishment for sin, meaning atoning for God’s wrath (atonement). The Christian receives in Christ both fellowship with God (Christ as a gift, donum), and appeasement of God’s wrath (Christ as goodwill, favor). Redemption frees a Christian from the power of sin. Sin, death and satan have no power over the Christian, for Christ who is present in faith has overcome the power of those things. Atonement, meanwhile, removes the wrath of God. Because the Christian owns Christ in faith, God sees in him or her only the righteousness of Christ and no sin. For this reason, the Christian is not an object of God’s wrath, but rather God looks upon him or her lovingly, no longer wrathful. The expression by faith alone gets its meaning from the fact that only faith can bring Christ to a person, and in Christ is found the complete salvation. Luther’s well-known phrase “in faith itself Christ is present” means precisely this. Owning Christ Owning Christ is much more comprehensive than any temporal ownership. In faith, a “blessed exchange” takes place: on the one hand the Christian’s sins are so fully laid upon Christ as if they were Christ’s (Isa. 53:6). On the other hand, the righteousness of Christ is so completely the Christian’s that it is as if it were his or her own. A Christian remains completely sinful, but simultaneously he or she is completely righteous in Christ. Paul explains: “I through the law am dead to the law, that I might live unto God. I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live, not yet I, but Christ that liveth in me. The life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the son of God” (Gal. 2:19,20). In this sense, faith can be said to make a person righteous (Rom. 5:1). Owning Christ, however, does not make the person himself or herself righteous. Although the Christian by faith owns Christ and His works, they remain Christ’s person and Christ’s work, an alien righteousness. The righteousness that a Christian owns by faith is entirely Christ’s righteousness. It is never governed by the Christian – even though faith owns it so completely that it can be said to be owned by the Christian. Owning Christ makes a Christian free from sin. This does not mean that the Christian is sinless but sin no longer governs him or her. Christ has taken all his or her sins (2 Cor. 5:17–21). Owning Christ does not remove the Christian’s sinfulness. The Christian continues to be completely sinful. He or she does not only commit sin, but rather he or she is sinful the whole time, without ceasing. This sinfulness manifests itself as thoughts, deeds and things one neglected to do, as the old confession of sins expressed it. Paul notes that sin dwells in a Christian (Rom. 7:20). Owning Christ by faith changes the entire person. On the one hand, in Christ he or she is completely free from sin and completely righteous, such that he or she cannot become more righteous even in heaven. On the other hand, the person is still so thoroughly corrupt and completely sinful that he or she could not be more sinful even in hell. The change shows in a Christian. Faith changes the Christian to love God, righteousness, purity and goodness. All the Christian’s gifts, will, mind and deeds turn to serve God. This change is inevitable, since a good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit (Matt. 7:18). This does not mean that a Christian no longer commits sin or feels tempted to sin, but it is no longer his or her desire to do so. As a fruit of faith, the Christian has the desire to battle against sin. Faith, Law and Works When a Christian’s righteousness is Christ, it is clear that a person cannot augment this righteousness. Christ is perfect righteousness. Therefore, every deed by which a person attempts to improve or augment this righteousness is wrong. His or her righteousness then is not the righteousness of Christ that God has given as a gift, but rather his or her own righteousness, which is based on works. Paul noted that in this kind of faith grace is nullified and Christ has then died in vain (Gal. 2:21). The Relationship between Christ and the Law The instruction in the letter to the Galatians becomes understandable when we examine the relationship between Christ and the law. First a distinction must be made between the office of the law and the contents of the law. The office of the law tells us the function of the law. The office of the law in a spiritual sense is to compel a person to see his or her own sinfulness and to seek refuge in Christ. The law demands, condemns and indicates punishment, but it does not give anything. The contents of the law, meanwhile, explain what the office requires. The contents of the law points to the righteousness of God and thus it is as if a depiction of God’s righteousness. The demand of the law is condensed in the double commandment (also called the Great Commandment) of love: Love God above all and your neighbor as yourself (Matt. 23:36–40). One who fulfills this commandment fulfills the whole law and is acceptable to God. But the one who transgresses one part of the law has transgressed the entire law and is subject to demands and judgment (Gal. 2:15–21, 3:21). It is precisely this state of being subject to judgment that Christ corrected: “But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, to redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons” (Gal. 4:4,5; Rom. 8:3,4). Christ did not overturn the law and its demands; rather He fulfilled it to the last letter. The law is fulfilled in Christ Himself: in Him is perfect righteousness and perfect love. Therefore the person who owns Christ owns the fulfilled law. The law still demands perfection, but a Christian receives that perfection in faith, which owns Christ (Rom. 13:10). In this context it can be said a Christian is free of the law. The law does not demand, command or condemn him or her (Gal. 2:19). If a person imagines that he or she can earn something before God with his or her own deeds, the person is in that case following the righteousness of the law. The person should then obey the whole law, which is impossible (Gal. 3:10–12). This also means that the person is separated from Christ and fallen away from grace (Gal. 5:4). A person who trusts in his or her own works and tries to be acceptable to God does not live in Christ but under the law. A person under the law is always guilty because he or she is unable to fulfill the law and therefore the law condemns him or her. Christian’s Love of the Law Freedom from judgment of the law does not therefore mean freedom from the contents of the law and its teachings. The essential point is that office of the law ceases for a Christian. The law no longer has any demands on him or her, because the law gets all it desires in Christ. In Christ, the Christian as a partaker of God’s perfect love, which fulfills the law (Rom. 13:10). The office of the law has therefore ceased for a Christian, but the contents of the law has not gone anywhere. Although the law does not demand, the Christian loves the law and wants the same as the law. This change in the will of a Christian is effected by Christ who is present through faith. The Christian has been transformed to live a new life in Christ: you are dead unto sin but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord (Rom. 6:10,11; 8:10). Life in Christ transforms a person to love God’s will. Then the law of God appears holy, good and right (Rom. 6:17–18). Christian freedom also results from partaking in God’s love received in Christ. Righteousness loves and desires righteousness. A Christian loves that which is good, true and just and hates sin. This love is free love with no demands placed on it. Love cannot be forced. Since the Christian is transformed in faith to serve righteousness, his or her inner being seeks God’s will in all things (Rom. 7:22). Love Does Not Teach Contrary to the Law The freedom of a Christian is often misunderstood to mean freedom to sin. It is said that God is merciful and loves the sinner. God does indeed love the sinner, but He does not accept sin. The notion that a Christian could live as he or she pleases because he or she has Christian freedom is fundamentally wrong. If the Christian thinks in this way, he or she would no longer love righteousness. Paul wrote about this: “Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord. Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof. Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God” (Rom. 6:11–13). Paul dealt very directly with the relationship between sin and grace. He rejected the notion that a Christian living under grace would have permission to sin; he stated that a person is under the rule of that which he or she obeys. If a person allows himself or herself to commit sin, the person is a slave of sin. A person cannot believe and live of grace and simultaneously have freedom to sin (Rom. 6:15–23). It is important to understand that Christian freedom is not freedom to sin, but rather it is the free love of righteousness. The Christian mind does not work against the law, but rather loves the law and wants to follow the righteousness of God. The Christian is taught this by God’s grace, not by the demands of the law (Tit. 2:11,12; Rom. 5:21). Grace and the law teach the same thing – the righteousness of God – but whereas grace gives, comforts, carries and supports, the law demands, commands and condemns. When a Christian encounters a situation in life where he or she ponders how to proceed, he or she wishes to find a solution that is agreeable to God. The person is taught this by the Holy Spirit. The motivation for seeking the will of God is love which the person has received in faith, not any demand or sanction. The Difference between Being under the Law and Being under Grace The distinction between the requirement of the law and the freedom of the gospel may seem like futile hair-splitting. Does it matter whether a person decides not to steal because he or she does not want to steal or because he or she is required to not do so? Isn’t the end result the most important, the fact that he or she didn’t steal? From the standpoint of righteousness, however, there is a complete difference between the two. If the deed or act is motivated by anything other than free love and free will, it becomes either an obligation or a merit. The deed is done either fearing punishment or hoping for a reward. That is no longer righteousness that comes by faith, but rather righteousness of works. When a Christian who is poor and sinful in himself or herself hears – as revealed by the Holy Ghost – of God’s love and Christ’s works, the Word nourishes faith and refreshes love (2 Tim. 3:15–17). Demanding certain works or the avoidance of certain works can lead to an outwardly pious life, but it does not bring faith and salvation. But when God’s Word nourishes the Christian’s faith, God Himself works through His Spirit in the heart of the believer and grace teaches him or her to live correctly. When a Christian’s entire life of faith rises from the freedom of the gospel, his or her conscience and will are more precise than any law could teach him or her. Even in daily life love teaches more precisely than any demand or any rules. This does not mean that Christians would not discuss among themselves nor desire to contemplate in different life situations what is agreeable to God. Rather, the Bible actually exhorts us to do just that (Heb. 10:24,25). Faith joins a person to the body of Christ as a living member of the body that has a connection with the head – meaning Christ – and also with the other members of the body, meaning other believers. The Holy Spirit “calls, gathers, enlightens and sanctifies” the believers into one congregation which has one faith and one spirit in its midst. This congregation examines the Word and asks for the wisdom of the Holy Spirit in order to know and fulfill the will of God. Love teaches the truth and urges one to reject evil and keep the good (Eph. 4). In place of following rules, the life of a Christian is living in grace as a sinner. The struggle in a Christian between these two forces – righteousness and sin – is not solved with rules or externally issued ordinances. Two Sides of the Endeavor A Christian loves righteousness and desires to live according to the will of God. Meanwhile the Christian notices that he or she is acting against his or her deepest will. Paul explained that there are two “laws” in a Christian: God’s law, in which the Christian “delights,” and the law of sin which acts in him or her: I desire to do what is right, but I am not able to. I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do. But if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but rather it is sin that lives in me that does it. I find in myself this law: I want to do good, but evil remains within me (Rom. 7:18–21). Paul aptly described the Christian’s endeavor. The old and new human battle within the Christian. The Christian loves God and righteousness, but he or she is simultaneously a sinner. The Christian sins constantly in thought, word and deed, even though sin no longer governs him or her; the Christian no longer “lives” in that sin but rather has “died unto sin” (Rom. 6:1–14). In this battle, the Christian does not want to allow his or her sinfulness to gain control but rather he or she wants to be “led by the Spirit” (Gal. 5:16–18). The Christian is protected by the full armor of God (Eph. 6:10–18). The Christian does fall into sin and does things that he or she would not want to do, but the person’s innermost, the new person within, willingly “serves the law of God” (Rom. 7:25) and gives the desire to battle against sin. A Christian, however, experiences that sin attaches. For that reason, the Christian wants to hear the gospel of forgiveness of sins. Luther explains in the Smalcald Articles how in the gospel God gives help against sin in many ways: “First, the gospel works through the audible gospel, when the forgiveness of sins is preached to all the world; this is the essential office of the gospel. Second, it works through baptism. Third, as the sacrament of the altar. Fourth, as the power of the keys as well as in mutual discussion and encouragement with brethren: ‘Where two or three are gathered…’ (Matt. 18:20).” In confession, a Christian can tell of the sins that bother his or her conscience (Heb. 12:1) and hear the comfort of absolution from the confessor father. In spite of one’s own complete sinfulness, a Christian has a new ruler, Christ. The life of Christ in a Christian is so intense and so real that Paul stated that he no longer lived but Christ lived in him (Gal. 2:17–20). So, there are two sides to the Christian endeavor – the battle of faith. On the one hand, the Christian himself or herself can do nothing to preserve his or her righteousness. God gives faith, upholds it with His Word and sacraments and enlightens it in trials (1 Pet. 1:7). Thus, the endeavor of faith is the work of God within us, not our own work. On the other hand, the battle in a Christian is real. Falling under the power of sin and losing faith is a real possibility. But as long as a person has faith given as a gift by God, it creates in him or her love for God, hunger and thirst for the Word of God as well as the desire to battle against sin and preserve a good conscience (Phil. 2:13; 1 Tim. 1:19). The Relationship between Faith and Works It is important to understand that even though faith is manifest in the life of a Christian and causes good works, all good is ultimately the fruit of the Spirit within the Christian. A person is not able to do anything good, not even to desire or intend to do good. All good that shows in a Christian as fruits of faith – love, joy, peace and others (Gal. 5:22,23) – are completely the effect of God’s Spirit, so completely that they can be called the works of Christ. Paul stated that he had done more work of the kingdom of God than others, but not he himself, rather the grace of God within him (1. Cor. 15:10). According to Paul, good works belong so inseparably to faith that a Christian is created in Christ unto good works (Eph. 2:8–10). This portion of the letter to the Ephesians becomes understandable when we remember that in Christ a Christian has received love that loves what is good, true, right and righteous. A Christian cannot avoid loving them. Love is such an essential part of faith that faith without love is dead (1 Cor. 13:2; James 2:17, 26). Faith does works through love (Gal. 5:6). Good works always come from faith and are fruits of faith (Tit. 2:11–14; 3:4–7). It is this exact relationship between faith and works that the tree-fruit parable also tells of. When the tree is made good, its fruits are inevitably good. The works of a believer are good because they are works of the “good tree,” which is Christ (Matt. 7:16–20). Meanwhile it becomes clear why works cannot effect faith. Without Christ a Christian cannot do anything good, but rather all the Christians deeds are worthless, “For whatsoever is not of faith is sin” (Rom. 14:23). Faith causes a Christian to do works, but the works do not effect faith. A Christian’s good works are fruits of faith. They can never be a prerequisite for faith. One cannot receive, maintain or improve faith through works (1 Tim. 1:9–10). Faith, Doctrine and Language The Difficulty and Necessity of Describing the Contents of Faith Faith always completely owns Christ and His works, but since we live as humans, we must attempt to describe faith and its contents with our language. Language, however, is a tool for this temporal life, which will never fully express the hereafter. Thus, when we describe the contents of faith – God, Christ’s salvation works, God’s grace, righteousness, eternal life and so on – we have to look, as Paul writes, through a glass, darkly (1 Cor. 13:12). Even though we are unable to describe God perfectly, faith nevertheless owns everything perfectly. This is seen especially clearly in the faith of a child. Because of Christ’s redemption work, an infant has perfect faith which owns perfect righteousness. The infant does not even realize he or she is believing, nor is he or she able to describe his or her faith, but the infant’s faith owns the complete salvation. Describing the contents of faith, however, is still crucial. It is impossible to proclaim the gospel without a language with which to convey the message. Christians have been tasked with carrying the gospel forward and to keep it pure so that it bears Christ (Gal. 1:6–12). Therefore, it is important to preach according to the gospel and to attempt to describe the contents of faith correctly. A Christian must not give in at all to wrong doctrine, for in such case Christ and the entire righteousness will be lost (2 John 9, 10; 1 Tim. 6:3–5). It is good for a Christian to know and understand the basics of faith and the Bible so that he or she would not stray into wrong doctrine (1 Pet. 3:15; 2 Pet. 2:1; John 5:39). God’s Holy Spirit guides the Christian in all these matters. Nonetheless, as we previously mentioned, language is always imperfect and is never able to perfectly describe God. These two viewpoints form a paradox – a conflict – in which two statements that oppose one another are simultaneously true. Only in perfection, beyond the border of time, will these two sides unite and we will see that which we here attempted to describe (2 Cor. 5:7; 1 John 3:2). When we speak of doctrine, we often encounter the same problem. Faith believes the whole contents of faith completely and wholly, even if we were unable to describe it at all. But when the Christian congregation wishes to talk about its faith, instruct and tell about God’s works, it presents its faith in a linguistic form. The creeds we know originated in this way. Even in the New Testament we find short confessions (Matt. 16:16; Acts 18:28; Phil. 2:11; 1 Tim. 3:16) as well as slightly longer sections (Rom. 1:3,4; Phil. 2:5–11; Col. 1:15–20; Heb. 1:3), in which writers confess to be in Christ and also confess what they believe. Faith Is not Born of Knowledge So, doctrine describes the contents of faith and meanwhile draws a boundary with wrong teachings. That helps preserve and defend faith which is believed. It must be noted, however, that even the most precise description of the contents of faith and doctrine does not produce faith by which one believes. Saving faith is not born based on knowledge, nor can it be obtained as a result of logical reasoning. No matter how precisely one is able to describe the contents of faith, it will not bring faith that owns Christ. Saving faith – a faith that owns Christ – is obtainable only under the sermon of faith as a gift from God. Meanwhile, it is nonetheless true that correct faith inevitably owns correct doctrine. In this way, there remains unresolved tension between faith and doctrine: pure doctrine does not bring faith, but faith inevitably owns the right doctrine, even if one is not always able to describe doctrine precisely. This shows us that knowledge is not the opposite of faith. Using doctrine to describe the contents of faith or knowledge of the contents of faith does not compete with faith. Knowledge does not bring faith, but faith and knowledge ultimately point to the same thing and speak of the same content: Christ and His salvation work. Faith and knowledge have different functions and roles, but they are not opposite to each other. Faith is also not just some area of study that complements knowledge. When properly understood, faith and knowledge do not conflict with one another. Knowledge opens up the contents of faith, helps structure it into one entity and shows the inner logic of faith’s contents; but knowledge does not add to faith anything external, anything new. Similarly, faith is not a mere supplement to knowledge, but rather they are two different perspectives on the same thing. Faith and Reason Faith is not the opposite of reason. Reason cannot bring faith, but faith gives reason a direction and meaning: it helps understand the contents of faith with the help of reason. When we speak, for example, of the fact that Christ was simultaneously true God and true man, faith gives us the understanding that it is so, but reason is a tool for comprehending it. Luther’s description of a human as a donkey that the rider controls also pertains to reason. What matters is who is in control. The situation is correct when reason is subordinate to faith and faith guides one’s understanding. If faith dies, reason – along with everything else in a person – turn away from God and begin to serve the enemy. It is necessary to note one more perspective. Ultimately, faith that justifies us changes our perception of knowledge. At the beginning of this article, we noted that the truths of faith are based on revelation. A Christian believes that the revelation of God written in the Bible truly is the revelation of God. Likewise, the Christian believes that God’s revelation is true and for that very reason it is absolutely certain, more certain than any “knowledge” that research can produce. As such, the knowledge of faith is not something that can be deduced or discovered through research, but rather it is something much greater: it is the truth that God grants as a gift to be owned by faith. Not for us to govern, but for us to own. In the Small Catechism, Luther taught about faith in the second and third article Articles of the Creed: ”I believe that Jesus Christ, true God, begotten of the Father from eternity, and also true Man, born of the Virgin Mary, is my Lord; who has redeemed me, a lost and condemned creature, purchased and won me from all sins, from death, and from the power of the devil, not with gold and silver, but with His holy and precious blood, and with His innocent sufferings and death, in order that I might be his own, live under Him in His kingdom, and serve Him in everlasting righteousness, innocence and blessedness, even as He is risen from the dead and lives and reigns to all eternity.” ”I believe that I cannot of my own reason or strength believe in Jesus Christ, my Lord, or come to Him; but the Holy Ghost has called me through the Gospel, enlightened me by His gifts, and sanctified and preserved me in the true faith, even as He calls, gathers, enlightens and sanctifies the whole Christian Church on earth and preserves it in union with Jesus Christ in the true faith: in which Christian Church He daily and richly forgives me and all believers all our sins; and at the last day, will raise up me and all the dead, and will grant me and all believers in Christ everlasting life. ” Bibliography Luther Martin Augsburg Confession. Bondage of the Will. Original work “De servo arbitrio” 1525. Smalcald Articles. Original work “Die Schmalkaldischen Artikel” 1537. Small Catechism. Juntunen Viljo Samalla vanhurskas ja syntinen. – Vanhurskas elää uskosta. SRK:n vuosikirja 2017. Kumpulainen Heikki Armo opettajana. – Armon voimin. SRK:n vuosikirja 1995. Lehto Ilkka Jumalan laki ja sen merkitys. – Kristityn vapaus. SRK:n vuosikirja. 2014. Mannermaa Tuomo Kaksi rakkautta. Johdatus Lutherin uskonmaailmaan. WSOY 1995. Kristillisen opin vaiheet. Gaudeamus 1977. In Ipsa Fide Christus Adest. Missiologian ja ekumeniikan seura 1980. Nurminen Hanna Jumala vai minä? Kaksi käsitystä vanhurskauttamisesta 1970-luvun vanhoillislestadiolaisuudessa. Helsingin yliopisto 2016. Ottman Veli-Pekka Vapaana armolapsena. – Kristityn vapaus. SRK:n vuosikirja 2014. Paananen Antti Pysy niissä, joita sinä oppinut olet. – Kristus on voittanut synnin vallan. SRK:n vuosikirja 1993. Onko meillä vapaus valita? – Kristityn vapaus. SRK:n vuosikirja 2014. Palola Valde Vanhurskas ja armollinen Jumala. – Vanhurskas elää uskosta. SRK:n vuosikirja 2017. Pihkala Juha Uskoa tiedosta ja tietoa uskosta. Johdatus dogmatiikkaan. Edita 2009 Pöhlman Horst Georg Dogmatiikan pääkohdat. Kirjaneliö 1974. Reinikainen Erkki Näin on uskottu. SRK 1990. Usko ja Jumalan sana. SRK 2003 Särkiniemi Seppo Laki ja evankeliumi. – Vanhurskas elää uskosta. SRK:n vuosikirja 2017. Toiviainen Kalevi Pieni kirja uskosta. Kirjapaja 1995. Österberg Raimo Lain alta armon alle. – Kristityn vapaus. SRK:n vuosikirja 2014.

Liisa Keranen | The Voice of Zion November 2019 -- First Advent Sunday is only a few weeks away, so we can start thinking of music on that theme to listen to and sing in our homes. In our hymnal, the first eleven songs are Advent songs. Two of them are special to me. The first of these is, fittingly, song number 1: Hosanna, Son of David. This song has a captivating melody and lots of repeats. Even little children seem to learn it quickly and sing it festively. It helps that the words are easy and repeat often. In the words and soaring melody, it is easy to imagine the crowd in Jerusalem clamoring for Jesus as He rode a donkey through the city. When this song is sung at church on First Advent Sunday, there is a jubilant feeling: the new church year is starting! The Christmas season begins and we are reminded of the hope of heaven we have through Jesus’ work. The other Advent song that holds many memories and much feeling for me is number 11, A Candle We Are Lighting Now. I grew up in Finland where we followed the church year even at school. On the Friday morning preceding the First Advent, we sang the first verse of this song. The next Friday we would sing two verses, and so we continued all the way until Christmas, when school let out and our holiday started. The song’s hopeful, bright melody reflects the message of the words very well. There is an abundance of classical music that has also been inspired by the season of Advent and Christmas. Many composers wrote variations of and compositions based on well-known Advent and Christmas hymns and debuted them in their churches. The first song in the Christmas section of our hymnal is number 12, Savior of the Nations, Come. This melody is from the Middle Ages, and its special quality is due to the Dorian mode in which it is written. It is not quite major, not quite minor, so it has a special sense of longing in it. Johann Sebastian Bach (1685–1750) has written numerous pieces on this theme, mostly organ chorales and church cantatas. Search for them wherever you listen to music using the German name of the hymn: Nun komm, der Heiden Heiland. My very favorite is an organ piece which is BWV 659 in Bach’s work catalogue. This piece poignantly depicts the period of waiting and then joy at the arrival of our Savior. Another nice Christmas song is number 24, Silent Night. It was written by Austrian priest Joseph Mohr. He brought the lyrics to Franz Gruber, who was the organist in the neighboring village. Gruber set the words to the tune we know. The song was sung by the congregation on Christmas morning accompanied by a guitar, since a flood had destroyed the church organ. This song is such an essential part of Christmas that is has been published in over 550 hymnals all over the world. In fact it was declared an intangible cultural heritage by UNESCO in 2011! It amazes me how a musical picture of the miraculous events in Bethlehem on that holy night can so powerfully pull people together to quieten in worship. This song exudes the peace and joy of Christmas quite perfectly. Many in Christianity have requested a recording of instrumental Christmas music. This month we are releasing an album of piano music recorded by Saana Johnson in Phoenix, Ariz. One of the melodies on it is a version of Silent Night composed by German composer Max Reger. May the spirit of Christmas spread in your home as you listen to this beautiful music. Sources: Hymnary.org, Wikipedia ‍

Brent Huhta | The Voice of Zion November 2019 -- Angels are God’s messengers. There are many examples in the Bible of angels bringing messages to people, such as God’s promise to Abraham, to the virgin Mary, and to the shepherds caring for their flock by night. More than two thousand years ago, the angel Gabriel appeared before Mary, a young believing woman, with an astonishing proclamation. God had selected her for a very special role, unique in all the history of humankind. She, a virgin, would give birth to a son who “shall be called the Son of God,” of whose kingdom “there shall be no end.” Be Not Afraid Humans can be startled and even afraid when an angel appears. That is why the angel first says, “Do not be afraid.” But when the angel departs, the believer is reassured and comforted. Our daughter Katie was the bravest person I’ve ever known. She was diagnosed with cancer at seven years of age. She endured many surgeries, radiation treatments, medication and therapy in her short life. During the day she enjoyed lots of attention from family and friends, but at night she was lonely and fearful. An angel kept her company through the long nights, she reported. To her, congregational singing sounded like “the angels in heaven.” Angels exist not only in Bible stories; they also protect and guide us in our daily life. Martin Luther related that angels are truly around us in this life, providing for and guiding our affairs, if only we would believe it. “For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways” (Ps. 91:11). We can be assured that God’s angels are protecting us every moment, from that first spark of life in our mother’s womb to, indeed, “all thy ways.” This is so even beyond our last breath, when we finally reach our destination in heaven. Shining and Clad in White The stereotypical mental image I have of an angel is a tall, handsome figure clad in pure white, with a graceful aura of quiet majesty. A typical artist’s rendering would perhaps show the angel with wings, hovering above the ground. Wings or no, angels appearing in this way are mentioned in the Bible. When the women found Jesus’ grave empty on Easter morning, an angel dressed in white with a face shining like lightning was sitting on the stone that had once blocked the door. The angel relayed a message of hope to the women: “He is not here: for He is risen” (Matt. 28:6). At times, however, we may not recognize an angel for what they are. I think the Ethiopian eunuch would agree, puzzling over the book of Isaiah in his chariot by the side of the road. The Holy Spirit led Philip to talk to him, a conversation which led the seeking eunuch to see the way to heaven and believe. After the eunuch’s baptism, “when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more: and he went on his way rejoicing” (Acts 8:39). From the eunuch’s perspective, Philip certainly must have been an angel! “Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares” (Heb. 13:2). These angels on earth – our brothers and sisters in living faith – are escorts that help keep us on this narrow pathway to our mutual destination. With words of encouragement, comfort or rebuke, they bring the most comforting of all messages, that of the living gospel of Christ: “Believe all your sins forgiven in Jesus’ name and precious blood!” Angels of All Ages Human reason might lead us to think that a guiding angel would be an adult, perhaps an elder with advice formed from many decades of life experience. This may be the case, but just as often the angel comes as a little child with a simple comment or reminder. Perhaps it is your own child, or perhaps it is the youngster in the next bench over. Jesus reminds that a child is the most important in His kingdom on earth and has a special link to the Heavenly Father: “Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, That in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven” (Matt. 18:10). Our heavenly Father uses his angels in heaven and those angels that live among us to bring messages, support and comfort as we travel through our temporal life. We thank Him for this and all the gifts He bestows! God Cares for His Own through Angel Escorts John Stewart | The Voice of Zion November 2019 -- The clay road was red and dusty under my feet. The tropical sun’s morning rays were already warming the earth, edging the day toward the hot afternoon ahead. I was not alone. My believing African escort, who had labeled himself my bodyguard, walked alongside me. As we ambled along, we visited. Sometimes we were trailed by laughing children, other times it was just the two of us. I was more than 7,000 miles from home in a country and culture that was strange and new. Yet in the midst of my worries and uncertainty, it was comforting to have my African escort nearby. We uplifted each other. Even though the label of “bodyguard” had been assigned lightheartedly, to me he felt like an angel. In his company, I was secure. Intermediaries between Heaven and Earth The Bible comforts us with the fact that angels do indeed exist both as intermediaries between the realms of heaven and earth, and also as earthly escorts on our journey (cf. Heb. 13:2). Although experiences in our time with angels of the “supernatural” type are exceedingly rare, there are numerous accounts of such throughout the Bible, from the book of Genesis to the Revelation of John. For example, many experiences with heavenly angels during the dawning moments of the New Covenant are described in the Gospels and in the Book of Acts. These confirm to us that God, in certain times and in certain places, has accomplished His work though heavenly angels according to His purposes. As travelers in faith, we often hear and sing about another kind of angel. These angels are our earthly companions who, through faith and mutual endeavor, take steps hand in hand with us on our journey. Have you, dear child of God, met such an angel? When doubts were heavy and sin pressed on you, were there angels nearby? Can we not rejoice that earthly angels were able to relate greetings from heaven? God Sent an Angel Escort Time passes, bringing a ceaseless flow of change to creation. Yet even after a decade, faded thoughts of that walk over reddish-clay earth still come to me. I lay on a hospital bed, hoping and praying for recovery after life-threatening, emergency surgery. My wife has been by my side every moment, day and night, but has finally taken a few hours to go home to see the children. In life, moments of worry, sorrow or despair occur along the way. This is one such moment: I’m alone now, and I’m down, way down. The room is so chilly. I close my eyes and try to doze. A moment later, I hear someone enter the room. I open my eyes, and though my vision is dim, I see a nurse approaching my bedside. The nurse gently and quietly spreads some heated blankets over my legs and feet, the warmth quickly penetrating. It feels good, but I’m still down. I look up at the nurse. His face lights with the joy of serving. In weakness, I beg the nurse to reassure me with the gospel, and vivid memories of the dusty road come flooding back. Through no strength of his own, the same angel who walked with me along those dusty African roads ten years earlier, preaches uplifting words: “All your sins are forgiven in Jesus’ name and blood.” Joy and peace return. God cares for His own through angel escorts. Φ Ignace Hounwanou, originally from Togo in west Africa, was granted a student visa in 2004 to study in the United States. He completed his Registered Nurse training and subsequently earned a bachelor’s degree in nursing from the University of Washington. Ignace currently works at Providence Regional Medical Center in Everett, Washington. He and his wife Katie, née Niemela, live in Snohomish, Wash., with their four children. Discussion Points: Psalm 103:20 says: “Bless the LORD, ye his angels, that excel in strength, that do his commandments, hearkening unto the voice of his word.” Whom do you suppose the angels are, in the writer’s eyes, and why? The writer to the Hebrews speaks much of angels. Read the first two chapters. How does the writer compare Jesus with angels? What other examples of angels are there in the Bible? Have you ever experienced help or a message from an angel in your life?

Veli-Matti Heikkinen | The Voice of Zion November 2019 -- You who are sitting and listening here in the sanctuary or out in the yard. Or perhaps you are sitting at a computer in some other place listening to this. Have you pondered the meaning of life and what faith will mean the moment you close your eyes for the last time? Faith Is an Assurance that Promises Eternal Life in Heaven The eleventh chapter of Hebrews explains faith as follows: “Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen” (verse 1). Through faith it is possible to see much more clearly than with our temporal eyes. Through faith we understand that one day we can go to heaven. This hope has carried God’s children in all times. Those who have died before us have reached the shore of heaven. They are waiting for the resurrection. A little later in the same Bible chapter we find the sentence, “Without faith it is impossible to please him” (Heb. 11:6). The words remind us that one day we must stand before the righteous Judge. When Jesus came here 2000 years ago, He came to atone for the sins of the world. The next time He comes, He will judge the living and the dead. It is a day which we children of God do not need to fear. Jesus will tell us, “Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world” (Matt. 25:34). Then eternal life in heaven will begin. It is surely safe to know that there is a life beyond this and that everything has a meaning. The only thing that is required is that we believe. Jesus has promised that no one can pluck us out of His hand. Faith Is a Gift of God In recent years I have thought quite a lot about what faith means to me. We have had a lot of trials in our family. And I have learned that when faith is tried, God draws us closer. During trials, faith has felt extra important. Just over three years ago, I was able to accompany my mother and father to Heidelberg in Germany, where my mother underwent a surgery to treat her cancer. She was unable to receive treatment in Sweden. On the morning of her operation, I escorted her to the door of the operating room. She had a long, risky operation ahead of her, but she seemed calm. After translating the nurse’s final instructions into Finnish, my mother took my hands, looked into my eyes and whispered, “God’s peace, Veli-Matti.” Amidst all that was happening, there was security and an indescribable sense of peace. Jesus’ words came alive: My peace I give unto you, be not afraid! Before this my mother had assured us that she had only two good options before her: “I hope the surgery is successful and I will get well, but if I don’t survive it, I will get to go to heaven.” After seven very long hours, my mobile phone rang and the surgeon told us that all had gone well. We cried and I hugged a young doctor out of sheer happiness! When a person is young and healthy and life rolls onward of its own accord, it’s easy to forget what the most important thing in life is. The disciples once asked Jesus what they would get in exchange for having forsaken their former lives to follow Him. Jesus answered their question, “Every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name’s sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life” (Matt. 19:29). The disciples were people just like you and me and they needed to be reminded that faith is more important than everything else. Faith is the foundation of everything; it gives security and the hope of eternal life in heaven. It’s the greatest gift a person can receive! The Bible and the preached Word are like road signs, showing the way to heaven. God’s children are escorts that can support us and show us the way. But no one other than yourself is responsible for choosing the right path. Jesus says that there are two paths, one narrow one that leads to heaven and one wide one that many walk on which leads to perdition. Jesus encourages us to choose the narrow path, which only a few follow. It’s easier for people to follow the larger mass of people, but the flock of God’s children has always been small. Jesus says, “If any man hear my words, and believe not, I judge him not: for I came not to judge the world, but to save the world. He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day” (John 12:47,48). Jesus does not judge anyone. Instead He places the responsibility on you and me. He reminds us of the importance of listening to God’s Word and taking advantage of the faith we have received as a gift. It is as if He wishes to tell us, “The choice is yours, but please take the narrow path! Not the broad one that most people choose.” Faith Gives True Happiness and a Meaning to Life When I was confirmed, I received a confirmation Bible from my mom and dad. They wrote a song verse in it. The words have become etched in my mind: “You, Jesus, show a meaning for life, You give a clear destination, You use me in Your duties. Jesus, bless my hopes, my studies, my work. Enclose my days and nights in Your peace” (translated from SL 178:5, Finnish version of SHZ 471). My parents wished to remind me of the importance of building my life on the firm foundation of faith and to trust in God’s promises in all things. That I don’t have to worry. That God knows better than me what I need. Faith gives life a meaning. Many people lack meaning in their life and seek in vain for happiness. Some people deny God. Others say that they believe in God, but not that there is only one faith that is the true faith. Some people, in their quest for happiness, want to live a life of complete freedom, completely without limits. I have barely ever longed for a life with parties, worldly music and alcohol. Nonetheless I have fallen into sin. Afterwards I have felt complete emptiness and regret. When I have then been able to hear the forgiveness of my sins, I have felt a tremendous relief. I want to be a believer, but why do I fall? I want to go to heaven. Today I am glad that I am yet a believer. Humans have always sought freedom, the freedom to do as they please. Humans have sought knowledge, success and power. But in the pursuit of happiness, many have been enslaved by sex, alcohol and drugs. In the pursuit of knowledge, people have always been faced with new questions. In the pursuit of a carefree life, people have discovered that their life is empty and meaningless. In the pursuit of power, money and success, people are never satisfied and the pursuit just continues. I can assure you that this is true. I only need to look at myself. Everything the world has to offer can bring happiness for a moment, but in the long run it is emptiness, just emptiness. The Old Testament believer Asaph was jealous of unbelievers who were fortunate and became successful. But in the end, when he realized that the world cannot give him what his soul actually longed for, he exclaimed, “It is good for me to draw near to God” (Ps. 73:28). The only thing that can give a person true joy is living faith. God’s peace is a peace that the world cannot give. Jesus says, “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid” (John 14:27). Life in God’s Kingdom Remember Moses? He who became the adoptive son of Pharaoh’s daughter, one of the richest and most powerful persons of his time? When Moses became an adult, he was given the opportunity to choose between staying in Pharaoh’s court or moving away and living a simple life with believers. Imagine being extremely rich, having your own servants and always being able to have fun. Moses was offered all of this, but he still decided to leave Pharaoh’s palace with all its riches and pleasures. I think that it was not a sin to live in the house of Pharaoh, but Moses felt that sin was too close in that house, and if he were to stay there, he’d lose his faith. “By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter; choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward” (Heb. 11:24–26). It was surely not easy to leave everything behind, but Moses wanted to go to heaven. One characteristic of the congregation of God is that the gospel of the resurrected Christ is preached here in accordance with the Bible. And here the sacraments are shared in accordance to Scripture. It is the Holy Ghost that opens the Word and upbuilds the congregation. We base life and faith on the Bible. We cannot and must not choose pieces of it and think that this piece suits me, but I don’t care so much for that piece. That would be like seeing a road sign that shows the way to the place you are going, but still choosing a completely different road that leads to a completely different destination. Whoever wants to go to heaven must believe according to the Bible and the teaching of the Holy Spirit. A believer’s teacher is not the law, and we are not forced to live a certain way. Our teacher is grace. It teaches us to renounce all wickedness and to live as children of God, according to God’s Word. As children of God we want to live as the Holy Spirit teaches and we thrive with other believers. Unity of the congregation means that we must never look down on the preaching of God’s Word, but rather that we hold it sacred and listen to it and learn from it. It is not enough to call yourself a believer and be part of the community, though that in itself can be nice. I have heard people that live and teach like unbelievers say that no one can take away my faith. But such a belief is not worth much at the last judgment. Jesus says, “Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven” (Matt. 7:21). Of course everyone is welcome into our community, even those who are not able to believe. We gladly take them to services of God’s children and to youth evenings. And when we are given the opportunity, we gladly discuss faith with them. I recently read a blog written by one of the bishops of the Church of Sweden. On the question of who will go to heaven he answered, “Maybe it is so that the very point of being a Christian is not to have a guaranteed ticket to heaven. Who can go to heaven – to that great and indescribable union with God – is up to God. Perhaps the very point of being a Christian is to live as a human in this world for the time we have been given.” Can you imagine a bishop writing like this, even though the Bible is so clear on this point? The Bible says, “If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable” (1 Cor. 15:19). Human wisdom cannot show the way to heaven nor can it ever give assurance of life after death. All religions and congregations outside God’s kingdom are dead and the people in them are spiritually blind. If you are unsure of something related to faith, always speak to other believers. Do it with humility with the intention of remaining in faith. Ask, but don’t question. If you want wise advice, seek out an elderly believing woman or man. They know more than all the world’s bishops combined and they can tell how the children of God have believed in all times. Faith is not a science and the secrets of faith are not revealed by human wisdom. Taking Care of Faith The Bible encourages us to keep faith and a good conscience. Otherwise we risk becoming shipwrecked in faith. If we do not take care of faith, we risk losing it. Faith thrives and is nurtured in a clean conscience. When a person denies faith, he or she confesses with the mouth that which probably happened in the heart a long time before. The thought that I can deny faith and go out into the world and come back later is dangerous. No one can know if the grace to return will be given. Some day it may be too late. God hates sin but loves the sin-fallen human. To fall into sin or to live in sin are two different things. Whoever consciously lives in sin is on a dangerous path. But as believers we often feel as Paul did: “The good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do” (Rom. 7:19). The goal of the enemy of souls is that no one would make it to heaven. He says, try a little, it probably won’t hurt you. Take one glass, you won’t get drunk. Click the link, it doesn’t matter. Watch this movie, it’s not dangerous. Stick around and watch hockey, everyone else is doing it too. He thinks up things and does all he can to lure you into places where sin is at your fingertips. The enemy of souls wants to make you fall because he knows that unless you put sin away, it will eventually become too much to bear. He wants your conscience to harden so that it no longer warns of dangers. All too often we hear of friends who have denied their faith. The explanations for their giving up faith vary but underlying all of them is sin that led them away from faith. For that reason, always put away sin when it attaches. Never deny your faith. We have received the gift of confession to take care of our faith. In confession we can approach a believing friend, a sister or brother whom we trust. We can then, in confidence, tell them about the things that really weigh on our conscience and have them forgiven. When we unburden our conscience, it becomes easier to walk in faith. In my youth, I fell into such serious sins that I didn’t even know if I would go to heaven if I died. Thankfully I never dared to deny faith. I prayed to God, and He helped me! I was first able to believe my sins forgiven in the general gospel preached at Bible class. Then I told my sister what sins I had fallen into. She blessed me with the gospel. You can be sure I slept well the next night. A good conscience is the best pillow. The Bible encourages us to take care of one another, to come to the gatherings of God’s children and to talk about faith. This has always been important! “Let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching” (Heb. 10:24,25). Come to services, Bible class and youth evenings. Speak to one another about faith, which is the most important thing. When you see someone at risk of being on the outside, make them part of the group. Go get the one who does not have strength to go to services by himself or herself. Encourage others to repentance. These are the reasons we have each other. It is safe to be a believer. Jesus promises us, “I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand” (John 10:28). Jesus promises to hold you in His hand all the way to heaven! All you need to do is believe. Dear child of God, you can believe all your sins forgiven in Jesus’ name and blood, unto peace, freedom and joy. Is there anyone listening who is not a believer yet? Even you have permission to believe your unbelief and all other sins forgiven in Jesus’ name and blood. In this way you also can make it to heaven. The gospel is a wonderful gift, it allows you to forget the sin that made the journey difficult, and it gives new strength. When we believe this way, we can one day make it to heaven. We can be absolutely sure of that!