Mary Hotari | The Voice of Zion December 2022 -- Thinking of Christmas Peace, remembering Christmases past, brings such comfort. Who gives us this peace? It is God, He who on Christmas sent His Second Person into the world to bear our sins and atone for them. In today’s world that is restless and fearful with raging wars and uncertainty, we turn to God’s Word for comfort and guidance. How do we endeavor on this pathway and attain the destination with the worldly winds violently blowing around us and the enemy enticing us, tempting us, seeking whom he may devour? In John 5:24, we can read the words Jesus speaks to us: “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.” In specifying “verily I say unto you,” Jesus emphasizes that His words are indeed the truth and that we can securely trust and take comfort in His words. He tells and instructs us that when we are hearers of His Word and believe on the Lord that sent Him, we have the promise of everlasting life and will not be condemned. One day we will pass from death to an eternal Christmas in heaven. The pathway of a child of God is that of ever-changing scenery. We find there are blessings as well as trials and, at times, heavy burdens to carry. One day, the sun shines and the future looks bright; such are the carefree and light days. Then there can be days of raging storms and blinding winds. The destination is blurred – or unseen. It is during these days in particular that the child of God needs to be strengthened and uplifted with God’s Word and the gospel, to wash away sins and doubts in the name and blood of Jesus. Along the journey we can be comforted with the words in Isaiah 41:10: “Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.” As the Christmas season approaches, we can securely embrace the promises of God, knowing and wholeheartedly trusting that believing in this way, we are led and guided toward that eternal Christmas in heaven. There we will experience true heavenly peace.

Curt Simonson | The Voice of Zion December 2022 -- O sing unto the Lord a new song; for he hath done marvelous things: his right hand, and his holy arm, hath gotten him the victory. The lord hath made known his salvation: his righteousness hath he openly showed in the sight of the heathen. He hath remembered his mercy and his truth toward the house of Israel: all the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God. Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all the earth: make a loud noise, and rejoice, and sing praise. – Psalms 98:1–4 As we approach the day of Christmas we come with many thoughts and feelings. Often the busyness of life and the things left undone draw much of our attention in life. As we are busy planning for tomorrow, we often seem to forget to enjoy the blessings given for today. The psalmist encourages us to sing a new song unto the Lord. “The old things are passed away; behold all things are become new.” The faith of God’s children has not changed since the promise of God given in the garden of Eden, although the world and the ways of life have changed much since the promise so long ago. The children of God do not praise God in a new and different way than the old believers, but the song begins new every day. Yesterday’s faith expired and today’s faith is new. Praise at Christmastime As we make our plans for the celebration of Christmas, it may seem like there is so much that needs to get done that we compromise the joy of the Christmas season. The words of the Psalmist remind us that the most important things are finished, and in these important things, nothing has been left for us to complete. That is the work of salvation. In all generations God has revealed the way to heaven, it is by His right hand and His holy arm. He did not leave anything for us to complete. This psalm was written many years before the birth of Jesus, but it shows us that God revealed His kingdom to the world in the same way as today: in mercy and truth. The name Israel means one who wrestles and has prevailed. The kingdom of God is the place upon earth where the children of God are joined together in song and rejoicing. We rejoice in this that we, through the name of Jesus, are washed in the blood of victory. The work Jesus came to do was difficult and painful, He suffered under the heathen. He was rejected by many of His own. Many people of the world did not even stop in their busy life when He came into this world. The city of Bethlehem was sleeping, but on the hillsides of Bethlehem angels visited believing shepherds with news of great victory: “Unto you is born this night in the city of Bethlehem a Savior which is Christ the Lord.” Let Us Go to Bethlehem The shepherds had not done anything of themselves, but in faith they waited and believed. To such people God brings good tidings. The shepherds said one to another, “Let us go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. And they came with haste and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in the manger, …even as it was told them by the angels.” The shepherds were so moved with joy they “noised abroad those things which they had seen and heard.” Although it doesn’t seem like the rejoicing which we have internally as God’s children is a loud noise, to those on the outside of God’s kingdom, this loud noise is the marvelous light showing to those on the earth the way to heaven. “It makes all wonder that hear it, those things which were told them by the shepherds.” Dear reader, as we make our way to Bethlehem, the place of bread, the work of Jesus has been completed for you. Here in the house of Israel is the “pillar and ground of truth.” You do not need to worry if you have left things undone or the preparations of the Christmas season are not complete. Although it may seem like you have wrestled and tired along the way, the gospel message of the forgiveness of sins yet belongs to you! A believing sister or brother can offer this gift to comfort and uplift. In this way we prevail in faith and rejoice in a new song, that in the righteousness of Jesus we have the living hope of the eternal Christmas in heaven.

Ari-Pekka Palola | The Voice of Zion January 2023 -- In 2018, the SRK, our sister organization in Finland, published Christ is the Same Yesterday, Today, and Forever: Writings on the Basics of Faith and Doctrine. The articles from this book were translated into English and published by LLC in The Voice of Zion in 2019 and 2020 and in book form in 2022. In 2020, the SRK published a companion volume to Christ is the Same called Miten minä uskon, How I Believe. The latter volume contains writings on the same topics as the former, with the intent of presenting the topics in a brief and understandable way, accessible to readers of all ages. Beginning with this issue of The Voice of Zion and extending into 2024, we will publish a writing from How I Believe each month. Our prayer is that these articles on topics of faith and doctrine will edify God’s children and help each one’s endeavor all the way to heaven’s home. How I Believe Brief Writings on the Basics of Faith and Doctrine Editor: Ari-Pekka Palola Published by SRK, 2020 To the Reader It is good for every Christian to know the basics of faith, even if knowledge is not a prerequisite for faith. The need for information has become more and more evident in recent years. Both young and grown-up Christians have pondered how we actually believe and teach. This book aims to answer questions. The book’s purpose is to clearly and understandably describe how we believe and teach, and to share briefly what our understandings are based on. At the same time, the book aims to open to readers the meaning of key concepts related to questions of faith. This book is based on articles published in 2018 in the book Christ Is the Same Yesterday, Today and Forever. In this book, the main contents of those articles are gathered into a short and easy-to-understand format. The book works best when read as a whole, in which case the texts complement one another. To make reading easier, the number of references has been reduced to a minimum. The most important Scripture references are marked in the margins, and at the end of the book there is a bibliography of the most important sources. This book is intended to find its way into the hands of every Christian to provide information on the basics of faith and to raise interest in them. This book can certainly also be used in mission work and youth work in our Christianity. For readers who are not Conservative Laestadians, the book offers a basic overview of our understanding of faith and doctrine. Authors and Their Subject Areas Helén, Aimo Faith, Morals and Ethics Lecturer, Kärkölä Juntunen, Viljo Original Sin and Its Fruits ThD, Dean, Oulu Kallunki, Hannu The Law and the Gospel Director of Joint Municipality Authority, Raahe Kivioja, Pauli Work of the Holy Spirit Acting Vicar, Simo Kiviranta, Jorma Jesus Christ Dean, Oulu Kopperoinen, Juho Final Events Vicar, Länsi-Turunmaa Kupsala, Jari Creation and Humankind Lecturer, Oulu Niemelä, Pauli The Bible – Highest Authority of Faith and Life ThD, Vicar, Oulu Nissilä, Keijo Theology and Faith ThD, Oulu Ottman, Hanna By Faith Alone ThD, Director of Communications, Helsinki Pelkonen, Ari God’s Grace in Christ Chaplain, Hollola Rentola, Pentti Faith and Culture Principal, Alajärvi Sallinen, Martti God Dean, Iisalmi Soronen, Mauno God’s Revelation Vicar, Haapavesi Särkiniemi, Seppo Fundamentalism Chaplain, Espoo Taskila, Matti The Christian Congregation and the Kingdom of God Principal, Kannus Tervo, Pekka Life in Faith Classroom Teacher, Espoo Österberg, Raimo Repentance and Justification Lecturer, Nivala During the editing work, sections of text and ideas have been transferred from one article to another, because the discussion of each topic has been combined into one chapter of the book. All the text under one main heading is not necessarily produced by the same author. That is why the writings are not published under the authors’ names. In working on these texts, the editor has been supported by a committee consisting of Valde Palola (chair), Johannes Leppänen, Olli Lohi and Markku Seppänen.

LLC Board of Directors | The Voice of Zion January 2023 -- The spiritual division that has troubled our North American Zion for many years has sorrowfully led to heresy. During the 2022 LLC Annual Meeting, congregation delegates formally acknowledged that two congregations no longer travel in unity with other member congregations. Discord surfaced soon after the 2015 LLC Summer Services. In the years that followed, some alleged that the teaching of our Laestadian Lutheran Church (LLC) was wrong on a number of points of doctrine. These matters were discussed in small group meetings, joint board meetings, regional meetings, and continent-wide meetings. Among points of doctrine discussed were justification, the office of the Holy Spirit, the relationship between the written and spoken Word of God, the relationship between God’s Word and God’s congregation, the essence and role of the congregation, the forgiveness of sins, confession, and the role of the congregation’s servants. A continent-wide meeting of congregation board members, annual meeting delegates, and speakers was held May 7–8, 2021, to discuss the growing spiritual division and doctrinal questions. Two days of extensive discussion at this meeting, like earlier meetings, did not result in one-mindedness and unity. Two distinct voices were heard. The Apostle John writes, “Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God” (1 John 4:1). Most congregation representatives and meeting participants agreed that the Holy Spirit had spoken through the mouths of God’s children and guided the discussion. They heard the familiar voice of the Good Shepherd. Some, however, were of a different mind. They did not hear the voice of the Good Shepherd and did not join in saying “it felt good to the Holy Ghost and to us” (Acts 15:28). The Holy Spirit calls and unifies God’s children in understanding, mutual faith, and spirit (Eph. 4:3,4). Years of discussion made it clear that a false spirit was dividing our North American Zion. The meeting openly acknowledged that there were two groups in our midst and that we could not long continue as a divided flock. Jesus said that false teachers are known by their fruits (Matt. 7:16). God’s Word clearly identifies the fruits of His Spirit and the fruits of the flesh. The fruits of the Spirit include love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and temperance, while the works of the flesh include hatred, discord, strife, and heresies (Gal. 5:20,22,23). Among those who have departed, the critical mind and spirit with which they viewed and approached God’s congregation and its servants in North America have borne fruits of discord and strife. They did not see God’s congregation here as a golden candlestick and thus they did not heed Jesus’ instruction: “He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches” (Rev. 2:29). In addition to these fruits, disturbing traits appeared in the positions of some who have departed. Among these was a rebuffing, at times even a belittling, of sanctification. Sanctification is the work of the Holy Spirit (1 Pet. 1:2). Minimizing its place in the lives of God’s children leads to unwatchfulness in the endeavor, a dismissing of the danger of sin, and a diminishing of the importance of confession. This was accompanied by another disturbing trait, namely, the dismissal of the importance of preaching absolution in sermons and in general. The Holy Spirit continues the work of Christ in His congregation. The Holy Spirit calls, gathers, enlightens, and sanctifies God’s congregation on earth. Martin Luther said: “I believe that there is on earth a little holy flock or community of pure saints under one head, Christ. It is called together by the Holy Spirit in one faith, mind, and understanding. It possesses a variety of gifts yet is united in love without sect or schism.” 1 This unity of faith, mind, and understanding is not achieved by human wisdom, debate, or negotiation but by the Holy Spirit’s teaching and enlightenment of God’s Word in the congregation. Luther further explains, “The Holy Spirit reveals and preaches that Word, and by it he illumines and kindles hearts so that they grasp and accept it, cling to it, and persevere in it.” 2 At the 2022 LLC Annual Meeting, delegates raised the issue of the spiritual division in the North American Zion and the danger of the harm and confusion it spread. During a free and open discussion, meeting delegates and attendees shared a loving call to repentance to restore unity of faith. This call was neither recognized nor accepted as the call of the Holy Spirit. Delegates recognized a different voice and spirit in the speeches of delegates and guests from Minneapolis and Wolf Lake and that those congregations did not travel in unity of spirit with other LLC member congregations. Delegates then made a motion to formally remove the Minneapolis and Wolf Lake congregations as member organizations in the LLC. The motion was discussed at length and then passed with near unanimous approval. The motion was in accord with the LLC bylaws which state that member congregations are required to “act in conformity with the same spirit and doctrine confessed by the other member congregations” (Article II, Section 1). We sorrow over this heresy and pray for the return of all who have strayed and become lost. We recognize that the Apostle Paul’s words have been fulfilled in our midst: “For there must be also heresies among you, that they which are approved may be made manifest among you” (1 Cor. 11:19). We pray that they might still find grace to walk footsteps of repentance and return to the Father’s house, to His living congregation. It is the kingdom of grace here on earth, through which leads the way to the kingdom of glory in heaven. LLC Board of Directors Northwest: Roger Plough, Carey Simonson, Dean Simonson, Marv Wittenberg Southwest: David Edwards, Michael Kumpula, Lauri Nevala East-Central: Randy Hillukka, Petri Hotari, Jim Jurmu, George Koivukangas, Peter Kuopus, Rick Nevala, Sam Roiko, Keith Waaraniemi Sources: Theodore G. Tappert, ed., The Book of Concord the Confessions of the Evangelical Lutheran Church. (Philadelphia: Mühlenberg Press, 1959), 417. Theodore G. Tappert, ed., The Book of Concord the Confessions of the Evangelical Lutheran Church. (Philadelphia: Mühlenberg Press, 1959), 416.

David Ojala | The Voice of Zion January 2023 -- What is a family? Generally, we think of a family as a mother and father and their children. An extended family could include cousins, grandma and grandpa and aunts and uncles. In one account in the Bible, Jesus taught those visiting with Him about His family. When Jesus was on earth, He had a natural family. One time when He was visiting with many people including His disciples, His natural brothers and mother came to see Him. Those who Jesus was visiting told Him that His mother and brothers had come. Jesus used this as a teaching moment. He asked those that were there a question, “Who is my mother, or my brethren?” (Mark 3:33). He essentially was asking who God’s family is. Spiritual Family Jesus’ description of His family might surprise us. He didn’t talk about His relatives only, but His spiritual family – those who do God’s will. “For whosoever shall do the will of God, the same is my brother, and my sister, and mother” (Mark 3:35). In the gospel of Matthew, Jesus’ description of family is expanded: “Jesus stretched forth his hand toward his disciples, and said, Behold my mother and my brethren! For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother” (Matt. 12:49,50). Those who do God’s will are believers – we also refer to them as children of God or our brothers and sisters in faith, those, who by God’s grace, believe their sins forgiven in Jesus’ name and precious blood. This is who makes up God’s family. Just like natural family, we are close to God’s family. We share joys and sorrows and care about each other. There are some believers who have a small natural family but have many relatives in God’s family – this is a great blessing. Even if we have a large believing extended family, we may move to a congregation where we have no natural family. There, it is especially comforting to be part of God’s family. Spiritual Love Just as natural family has love for one another, members of God’s family have love towards one another. In God’s family this love is spiritual love – the deepest kind of love where we want to help each other get to heaven. This love comes as a fruit of the Spirit by faith. Jesus spoke about this kind of love when He told His own: “This is my commandment, that ye love one another, as I have loved you” (John 15:12), and “By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another” (John 13:35). Jesus also has instruction about the love we have for our natural family and the love we have for God. He instructs that those who love their natural family more than God are not worthy of God, saying, “He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me” (Matt. 10:37). There may be situations where some members of our natural family are not believing or have recently lost their faith. The family bonds can be strong and we struggle between familial love and spiritual love. We love unbelieving ones deeply as natural family members but cannot give them living faith – this comes as a gift from God. It might be difficult for us to rebuke family about their errors because we don’t want to break family bonds. However, spiritual love is more important than natural love and the greatest love we can show is care for their undying souls. We can ask for God’s help in this situation and approach our loved ones in humility and meekness: “Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest though also be tempted” (Gal. 6:1). May God give us a heart to remind our dear ones in love and truth about the importance of being part of God’s family. Spiritual Food Around the holidays many of us gather as families. It is a precious and enjoyable time when children come back home to their families and extended family. Often the most festive times are centered around meals and eating. The gatherings of God’s family at service events, camps or other occasions are similar. They are joyful times when we can reunite with old friends in faith and be fed with spiritual food – God’s Word – the core of which is the gospel of the forgiveness of sins. How blessed we are when God has given us both a natural family and a spiritual family. Just as we long for family connections and need temporal food, may we always be given a heart that regards God’s family as beautiful and has a hunger for God’s Word.

Ben Waaraniemi | The Voice of Zion February 2023 -- We have heard with our ears, O God, our fathers have told us, what work thou didst in their days, in the times of old. How thou didst drive out the heathen with thy hand, and plantedst them; how thou didst afflict the people, and cast them out. For they got not the land in possession by their own sword, neither did their own arm save them: but thy right hand, and thine arm, and the light of thy countenance, because thou hadst a favour unto them. Thou art my King, O God: command deliverances for Jacob. Through thee will we push down our enemies: through thy name will we tread them under that rise up against us. For I will not trust in my bow, neither shall my sword save me. – Psalm 44:1–6 It can be difficult to see God’s guiding hand in our day-to-day lives. In a moment of trials and difficulties, we struggle to see purpose and easily forget that the thoughts and ways of God are higher than our own (Isa. 55:9). Looking back, we can often see more clearly the goodness of God toward us. Our psalm text recalls God’s goodness in the past and encourages us to trust in His protection and guidance now and in the future as well. “We have heard with our ears, O God, our fathers have told us.” It is clear that the previous generations had shared with their children the works of God. They were faithful to the instruction that God through Moses had given: “Thou shalt teach [these words] diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by thy way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up” (Deut. 6:7). The sowing of God’s Word is the responsibility of each believer. There is a special obligation for parents to speak of God’s goodness to their children and to speak of how the power of God in the gospel has carried them throughout their life. The psalmist especially recalls how God had prepared the promised land for His chosen nation. “Thou didst drive out the heathen with thy hand, and plantedst them; how thou didst afflict the people, and cast them out.” God drove out the enemies of His people and planted Israelites there. They were given a land of milk and honey where everything had been prepared. Moses warned the children of Israel before they entered the promised land to “beware lest thou forget the Lord” (Deut. 6:10–13). In studying the history of the children of Israel, we see that they often forgot this instruction. It is a reminder for us to not only be hearers of the word but doers as well (James 1:22). The psalm tells who was responsible for these victories. “For they got not the land in possession by their own sword, neither did their own arm save them: but thy right hand, and thine arm, and the light of thy countenance.” It was God’s power and might that accomplished these things, not the armies of the Israelites. God showed them grace and favor, and these were not earned by any merit of their own. In the same way, the sowing of God’s Word is His work. Only He can bless it and give increase, and only He deserves honor and praise for the harvest (1 Cor. 3:7). Following the Psalmist’s recollections of God’s past blessings, he asks God for deliverance: “Thou art my King, O God: command deliverances for Jacob.” This is a good example to us on how to approach God in prayer. We can remember Him and praise Him for His goodness and in faith ask for future blessings. Although the people at the time this psalm was created lived in a difficult time, they were able to trust in God. The previous generations had done the work of sowing God’s Word. They had shared with their children and grandchildren God’s goodness and mercy and laid a sure foundation for their offspring. Let us do the same in our time. Speak to your children and grandchildren about how God has helped in your life. Take time to visit the elders and hear of their experiences. Pause to sing songs of Zion, which speak to us so powerfully of God’s goodness and love. Freely share the gospel of forgiveness of sins in Jesus’ name and blood. Especially in this gospel, the love of God is revealed to us in our Lord Jesus Christ (Rom. 8:39).

Loren Keplinger | The Voice of Zion February 2023 -- Be merciful unto me, O God, be merciful unto me: for my soul trusteth in thee: yea, in the shadow of thy wings will I make my refuge, until these calamities be overpast. I will cry unto God most high; unto God that performeth all things for me. He shall send from heaven, and save me from the reproach of him that would swallow me up. Selah. God shall send forth his mercy and his truth. For thy mercy is great unto the heavens, and thy truth unto the clouds. Be thou exalted, O God, above the heavens: let thy glory be above all the earth. – Psalm 57:1–3,10,11 David, the writer of this psalm, found himself in a precarious place. As a young boy, he had been appointed by Samuel as King Saul’s successor. He had killed Goliath and was well known in the land. His best friend was Jonathan and his wife was Michal, both of whom were King Saul’s children. And now, due to jealousy, Saul wanted to kill his son-in-law David. Saul had already attempted to take David’s life, so David fled the palace and hid in a cave. Saul’s army was now close by. They were sleeping, unaware, in the same cave as David and his supporters. David was in an extremely difficult situation. He had to continue to flee for his life. In desperation, he prayed to God. We experience trials. Some are a minor interruption to our day. Others require more attention. Perhaps you have experienced trials, like David, when all other cares of life must be put aside. You are in such distress that you turn to God for help. In a very stressful moment in your life, you may be able to relate to David’s situation. We know that God knows our lives intimately, and He blesses us with much. He also allows trials in our life, for His purposes. With our human minds, we don’t understand why this is so. But we do know that in great difficulty, when human help is unattainable or futile, we turn to God for help. Though we pray in these moments, we may struggle with trusting God. We may ask, how did God allow this trial in my life? We may recall times in our life when we were unthankful or disobedient to God and in this moment of penitence we may feel unworthy of the help we are requesting and desperately need. After the difficult moment has passed, we may recognize why God has allowed this trial in our life. We may realize we needed a reminder of how small and weak we are as children in God’s kingdom. Remember, dear traveler, that God is merciful and He cares for you. He hears the prayers of one in difficulty. The prophet Joel reminds us to turn to God in times of distress. “Therefore also now, saith the Lord, turn ye even to me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning: and rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the Lord your God: for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repenteth him of the evil” (Joel 2:12,13). David too was able to overcome his trials. Eventually he was made king of Israel, succeeding Saul. God blessed David’s life greatly. You may have also experienced that God has been merciful to you in trials, that He has allowed the time of difficulty to pass and continues to bless your life. We see in our text which is David’s prayer that he put his complete trust in God in his time of despair. “In the shadow of thy wings will I make my refuge, until these calamities be overpast.” We know that God promises to care for us in the world He created. We can, like David, be confident that God “shall send from heaven” the help we need in times of distress. We are also reminded by the Apostle James, “The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much” (James 5:16). Though we don’t feel righteous, as believers we trust and believe that God’s Spirit which lives in our hearts makes us righteous. Remember to pray, dear friend, thanking God daily for all the goodness in your life. Also remember the important prayer that God would continue to keep us as His children in His kingdom of children. In time of deep trial, have full confidence in God as David did in prayer. Remember that God has promised to care for you as well, as a parent cares for his or her children, even when the child is undeserving.

Swen Sorvala | The Voice of Zion February 2023 -- Even so faith, if it has not works, is dead, being alone. – James 2:17 What is faith? A familiar portion from Hebrews tells us: “Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen” (11:1). The very first verse of the Bible speaks of visible substance. “In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth” (Gen. 1:1). John also writes, “All things were made by him, and without him was not anything made that was made” (1:3). In the world we inhabit, we have physical evidence of God’s creation. We have faith that our God, unseen by us, has created all, knows all and is all-powerful. The writer to Hebrews affirms this: “Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the Word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear” (11:3). Despite being Lord over the vast and majestic universe He has created, God can see us individually and we also know He knows us better than we know ourselves. We were born with original sin. We are unable to approach Him by our own strength (Rom. 3:11). Despite this, through faith a believer’s ultimate goal is heaven, to be with our Creator for eternity when temporal life ends. Knowledge of our Creator is written into each human’s heart. Each person innately knows or senses there is a God – a single, living, real God (Eph. 4:6). When God created all things, He didn’t forget His human creations. “When I consider thy heavens, the works of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained; what is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him?” (Ps. 8:3,4). God sent a Redeemer to save us from our sins. Sin, otherwise, would bring death (James 1:15). If we are not able to approach God and we are burdened with original sin, how can we get to heaven? We cannot get to heaven by our own strength, by our own merits or works, nor through our own diligence in trying to please God. This would be impossible! But God calls His own. His voice sounds forth to His creation. He has called you, dear reader and listener! God is gracious and merciful; He looks favorably upon you. He is so merciful that you do not have to suffer for your sins. He sent His only Son, the perfect sacrifice that suffered death and endured hell in our stead. Ultimately, Jesus rose victoriously and paid the price for the sin of all humankind. Herein lies our faith. It is clear that faith is a gift; it is not self-created or earned by any accomplishments (Eph. 2:8,9). We have nothing to boast of before God or fellow humans. And yet our text, “Faith, if it has not works, is dead, being alone,” speaks of works in connection with faith. How can this be? James speaks not of our accomplishments or merits or our perfect endeavor. Rather the “works” refer to fruits of one’s faith. Faith in the heart shows in different forms. Some help their loved ones and neighbors. Others serve at services and camps in various capacities. Some use their words to comfort a struggling one. Others with a tender conscience are quick to care for matters. Such actions speak of what is in one’s heart (Deut. 11:18). These actions are as fruit springing forth from one’s heart. Jesus said we shall know people by their fruits (Matt. 7:15–20). These fruits are the actions, or works, that follow from faith or unbelief. This is a beautiful message: it is faith that bears fruit, and not our works! Jesus emphasized the condition of the heart and the fruit thereof when He spoke of His second coming: “[They] shall come forth, they that have done good, onto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, onto the resurrection of damnation” (John 5:29).

Russell Roiko | The Voice of Zion March 2023 -- A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. — John 13:34 Jesus gives to His disciples and us a new commandment. He uses this powerful wording to emphasize the importance of the matter. By giving a new precept He wants His own to comprehend and keep in their hearts the faith that they have been given. He uses the term for love that indicates a love beyond that of friendship, philia in Greek. The Greek term for spiritual love is agape. In other words, Jesus tells His own to love each other with a heavenly love, in the same way as He has loved His own, even unto His death on the cross. He also instructs about the greatest commandment: “Master, which is the great commandment in the law? Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets” (Matt. 22:36–40). A Spiritual Love In giving this response, Jesus uses the same form of love. One must love God with a heavenly or spiritual love that will embody all of a person’s heart, soul and mind. In addition, one must love his or her neighbor with such a spiritual love, loving the neighbor’s soul to help them get to heaven. The requirements are set so high that it forces each of us to find ourselves incapable of fulfilling such a commandment. No one is capable of loving God with such a love. We are all too sin-corrupt. We are all selfish, greedy, envious and self-loving. The only way to be able to love in the Spirit is by believing. Preached by sinful people who have been gifted faith, the gospel Word contains the power of God onto salvation. It is the only power that closes the gates of hell and opens the door to heaven. The access to this power of God is only given to those who believe. No one can get it by research, by study, by doing good or by praying. Faith is a gift from God. John wrote of it: “But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God” (John 1:12–13). Fruits Flow from the Heart The fruits that flow from your heart, dear believing sister and brother, are those that the Holy Spirit inspires. They never accrue to be a merit. The Apostle Paul writes of these fruits in his letter to the Galatian believers. “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit” (Gal. 5:22–25). This list of the fruits of the Spirit can also leave us feeling like it is another impossibility to measure up to. We find ourselves as the Apostle Paul, who wrote of himself: “For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not. For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do. Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me” (Rom. 7:18–20, see also 2 Cor. 12:7–10). We are just as weak. We are sin-corrupt. We cannot get rid of that old portion. It will never become holy and sinless. The only recourse is to trust in the gospel of Christ and His grace. There a weak and failing sinner can dip from the wells of salvation and find refreshment as often as needed. The gospel heals all the wounds and restores love that has been broken by offenses or neglect. Power of God unto Salvation We all can remain in the fellowship of the congregation by loving with a spiritual love, by believing. No one needs to be ashamed of their desire to hear the gospel for it is the power of God onto salvation. In this congregation, sinners are judged with grace and forgiveness. No one is ever told to go away, that you are too sinful. Rather, all sins are always preached forgiven in the name and blood of Jesus. In this congregation of God, we have felt and still can feel that righteousness, peace and joy which are the essence of the kingdom of God. We experience that foretaste of heaven as the disciples did. John wrote: “Then were the disciples glad, when they saw the Lord” (John 20:20). It is the audible preaching of that gospel that contains the power of God unto salvation. It is our source of strength for our endeavor. Continue believing, dear friend, and trusting in the grace of God. He has begun the good work in us and will continue it until He takes us home to heaven.

The Voice of Zion March 2023 -- This writing is an excerpt from Miten minä uskon (How I Believe), edited by Ari-Pekka Palola and published by SRK in 2020. The writings are not attributed to a certain author since they are compiled from a variety of texts originally published in Christ is the Same Yesterday, Today, and Forever: Writings on the Basics of Faith and Doctrine (LLC 2022), which was translated from the original Finnish version published in 2018. Installment 3 of 19 The origin and existence of everything are great questions to which humans have sought an answer throughout time. No one has been observing or documenting the creation of the world. We only have God’s revelation of it. The Triune God – Creator of the World To Christians, the Bible’s creation stories are unrelinquishable, stories that explain the existence of everything (Gen. 1:1–2:3; 2:4–25). They are not read as scientific reports or detailed accounts, but rather as sacred revelations describing the beginning of time. The focus of these creation stories is in God, the Creator and Prime Mover of all, and not in the details of how the creation process itself has happened. According to the Bible’s revelation, God is the Creator and Prime Mover of all that exists. He has created everything from nothing. God is above and beyond human comprehension and beyond our grasp of time and place. Before the moment of creation there was nothing except God in His greatness. The Bible tells that God created everything through the power of His Word (Heb. 11:3). Meanwhile, the Bible doesn’t tell how God did His creation work or how long the days of creation were. No one has sources of information on the basis of which one could clarify these matters. The Bible’s revelation is limited to the original cause of everything, God’s will and might as its basis. Faith and science examine the creation of the world from their own perspectives. Through the Bible’s creation stories, a viewpoint opens to faith of how God is the origin and Creator of everything. Science on the other hand tells us something about what kinds of processes may have taken place in connection with creation. God’s creation work was not confined only to when the world was born, but He continuously creates new things. All new life is the result of God’s creation work. Human Beings – the Image of God Humans are part of God’s creation. The creation story describes how God first created the conditions for life and ultimately formed man from the dust of the earth. God created humans in His image and likeness and breathed into their nostrils the breath of life. This is how humans became living souls. Humans are the only creatures in the world that can hear God’s voice, rely on Him and love and serve Him. The most important matter in life is to know God and our Savior Jesus Christ and become a child of God. On a cosmic scale, humans are negligibly small. The length of human life compared to eternity is like the width of a palm or like nothing. Nevertheless, God cares for humans (Ps. 8:3,4). Humans Live in Fellowship with Their Neighbors The relationship with one’s neighbors is the other important relationship into which God has placed humans. The closest and most complex connection is between a man and a woman, who become one in marriage (Gen. 2:24). God created humans as sexual beings. He established marriage between a man and a woman as the correct place to practice sexuality. In married life the spouses can become partakers of God’s power to create something new. Each child is the result of God’s creation work, a gift from the Lord (Ps. 127:3; 139:13–16). For this reason both family planning and abortion are transgressions against God’s will: children have the right to be born and to live as ones that are loved and protected (Matt. 18:5,6). The Great Commandment expresses humans’ role and their duty in relationship to God and fellow humans: Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like the first: Love your neighbor as yourself (Matt. 22:37–39). Because it is impossible for people in and of themselves to love God, the true relationship with God is faith, which we receive through His grace. Through faith is born true love for God as well as for one’s neighbor and oneself. People’s Duty Is to Cultivate and Protect Since humans were created in God’s image, they have, to a certain degree, power over and responsibility for the world. God gave humans a responsible task to cultivate and protect all creation (Gen. 2:15). However, as a result of the fall into sin, humans have not been successful in that duty in the way God intended. In the Christian tradition, humans’ role in relation to creation is seen as that of a steward to whom the master has entrusted his property. The steward must take as good care of it as possible. Each generation must find ways of living in which the tasks of cultivating and protecting are in balance. It is important for each generation to bear its responsibility for this. The Fall into Sin and Human’s Responsibility When humans were created in God’s image, they were given responsibility for their actions. Humans, however, were not able to bear this responsibility, and they fell into sin. The first pages of the Bible contain the story of the fall into sin (Gen. 3:1–19). As with the creation story, the story about the fall into sin should not be read from a historical perspective but rather the main point is its message. The story shows how sin progresses even today. Deceived by the enemy of souls, a person becomes uncertain about what God’s will is. The fall into sin then happens when the person turns to hear and believe the temptations of the enemy of souls. This results in the person going against God’s will through his or her actions. Because of the fall into sin, humans had to carry inherited sin, a permanent burden of corruption. People in and of themselves are unable to be acceptable to God. Human reason and will are corrupted by sin (Rom. 3:10–12). Based solely on human understanding, a person is unable to serve and love God and fulfill the tasks He gives in a way that would be acceptable to Him.