Search Results

Don Lahti | 1997 LLC Phoenix Winter Services - Congregation Evening - February 21 -- 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 thou also be tempted. Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. (Gal. 6:1, 2) 1. Introduction The above text from Paul’s Letter to the Galatians teaches us to help and care for one another on our journey of faith. The first part of the text teaches us to help a person who has fallen in sin and also in what manner we ought to help them. The second part of the text teaches us to share one another's burdens. 2. If a Man Be Overtaken in a Fault As children of God we wish to follow the Lord Jesus and preserve faith and a pure conscience. Nonetheless, we have experienced that while endeavoring to follow Jesus we often fall into sin. The devil has not left us unscathed. With his seemingly unlimited tricks, he has often wounded us and with the help of our corrupt flesh caused us to sin. And sin, because it is deceitful, may harden our heart and conscience (Heb. 3:13) and we may be “overtaken,” that is, caught or entangled in sin. The hardening of heart and conscience can begin with something that to one who has fallen may seem relatively small and innocent, for example, a little lie, the occasional use of make up, watching a ball game on television, listening to worldly music, watching unsuitable videos, or visiting offensive sites on the internet. Our conscience, if it is properly functioning, urges us to put sin away. But if we ignore these promptings, our conscience begins to harden. Little by little, we begin to permit sin in our lives and we become blinded to its dangers. If we continue to neglect the care of our conscience and let it become a harbor for sin, we will eventually suffer spiritual shipwreck. James says, “Sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death” (James l:15). 3. Restore Such an One Paul instructs us to “restore” one entangled in sin. This process of restoring often involves two parts: rebuke and forgiveness. Rebuke is a necessary part of the gospel, but words of rebuke and instruction cannot in themselves remove sin or “restore” anyone. That occurs only through faith in Jesus Christ and His redemption work. As Paul writes to the Romans, “the just shall live by faith.” Generally, we find rebuking another person to be an unpleasant task and are often reluctant and timid to do so. A healthy timidity rises from the knowledge and understanding of our own poorness. But we must also acknowledge that there are other factors that may cause us to be timid and sometimes even negligent. For example, we may fear that we will start an argument, be rejected, lose a friend, or even make an enemy. Sometimes we may simply be lazy and indifferent. Such fears rise from our flesh and our darkened reason. God's Word, however, teaches us that when we ignore a brother’s sin we both hate him and share in his guilt (Lev. 19:17). Proverbs teach that “open rebuke is better than secret love” and that he that rebukes another will afterward be more favored than someone who has merely flattered him (Prov. 27:5; 28:23). In the so-called “church law of Christ” (Matt. 18:15-17), Jesus teaches that when our brother sins against us, we should discuss the matter with him alone, one on one. If our brother does not hear us, Jesus says to take “one or two more,” and if he still will not hear, Jesus says “tell it unto the church.” If the offending brother refuses to hear the church, then he is no longer to be regarded a brother in faith. Then the keys of binding are used (Matt. 16: l9; John 20:23). There are, of course, sins and faults that do not necessarily involve offense against another individual. If an individual, or even several individuals, become aware of such a matter, we understand that they should deal with the matter in as small a circle as possible. Some sins are open and public from the beginning, however. Such sins may be openly rebuked, as Paul wrote to Timothy: "Them that sin rebuke before all, that others also may fear" (l Tim 5:20). 4. Forgive One Another As I noted, rebuke is but one part of “restoring” a fallen sinner. True restoration occurs when the gospel of absolution is preached and believed. God’s children form His royal priesthood; it is the office of the Holy Spirit. Peter writes, “But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people” (1 Pet. 2:9). Christ has given His disciples, His priests, the authority to forgive sins. When Jesus appeared to His disciples following His resurrection, He said: “Peace be unto you; as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you. And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost: whosoever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whososever sins ye retain, they are retained” (John 20:21-23). While, as God's children, we have the power to retain or bind, we do so reluctantly and with sorrow. At the same time, we understand that this too is founded upon love for the sin-fallen. On the other hand, we are eager to preach the gospel and remit sins, for it is precisely through the forgiveness of sins that fallen and wounded sinners are healed and restored. Jeremiah says, “Heal me, O LORD, and I shall be healed; save me, and I shrill be saved” (Jer. 17:14). In this too there are temptations and the Apostle Paul warns us of the temptations involved in soul care with good reason. Our sin-corrupt flesh often hinders us in this task. Weariness and impatience, a sin-burdened conscience, pride, or self-righteousness, for example, may cause us to be harsh and unforgiving much like the wicked servant in Jesus’ parable of the ten thousand talents (Man. 18). It is important that we are ready to forgive. Jesus said, “Freely ye have received, freely give” (Matt. l0:8). And He warned His disciples: “If ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses” (Matt. 6:14, l5). When we remember and believe that our Heavenly Father has graciously forgiven our debt of ten thousand talents, we also wish to graciously forgive our brethren and approach them in meekness and humility as Paul here teaches. We must remember that understanding and spiritual gifts, like all other gifts, are not the result of our own virtue and skill, but are gifts of God. Paul warns the Corinthians, “Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall" (1 Cor. 10: l2). Jesus, the Great Caretaker of Souls, gave us the best example of the humility needed in caring for souls while washing His disciples feet. John writes, “So after he had washed their feet, and had taken his garments, and was set down again, he said unto them, Know ye what I have done to you? Ye call me master and Lord: and he say well; for so I am. If then your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you. Verily, verily, I say unto you, the servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him. If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.” (John 13:12-17). 5. Bear Ye One Another's Burdens Soul care does not always involve dealing with sin and matters of conscience. Life often brings burdens and trials, for example, depression, illness, the death of loved ones, or perhaps financial difficulties to mention but a few. In this text Paul instructs us to carry one another's burdens and “so fulfill the law of Christ.” The author of the Letter to the Hebrews also writes, “Remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them; and them which suffer adversity, as being yourselves also in the body” (Heb 13:3). The prayers of God's children, comfort and instruction in His Word, singing songs and hymns, and the sharing of personal psalms all offer relief and encouragement for those that are faced with adversity. Likewise help and support with the practical matters of daily life may lighten someone's burden. 6. Conclusion Finally, it is also worth mentioning that we need to recognize that man is also an intellectual and physical being. Due to the nature of psychological and emotional problems, as well as our inexperience in dealing with them, we may in some cases confuse them with spiritual problems. We need to exercise caution in dealing with such cases and when necessary recommend professional help. We may lean upon current knowledge when dealing with both psychological and physical health. It is written in Ecclesiasticus, “Honor a physician with the honor due unto him for the uses which ye may have of him: for the Lord hath created him. . .The Lord hath created medicines out of the earth; and he that is wise will not abhor them. . . And he hath given men skill, that he might be honored in his marvelous works. With such doth he heal [men,] and take away their pains” (Ecclus. 38:1,4,6,7). We also understand that it is easier to face both psychological and physical difficulties with a heart and conscience that have been cared for and obtained peace in the gospel.

Tomm Stewart | 1996 LLC Phoenix Winter Services - Congregation Evening Christian Courtship Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favor of the Lord'. Pro 8:22 1 . The Purpose of Courtship is to Lead to Marriage These words from Proverbs show that the purpose of courtship is to find a spouse, and the sole intent of courtship is to that end. God ordained marriage saying, 'It is not good for man to be alone...' Gen. 2:18. With God's blessing a courtship leads, in the correct way, to marriage. God has given the gift of natural love, which belongs in marriage. Without love, marriage should not occur. A spouse is God's gift and we want to remember this as we consider courtship. Congregation sing: Song 124 2. Seek A Believing Mate Abraham wanted a christian wife for his son Isaac and helped him. God, our Father, helps and provides for us, too. A sin of the first world was marriage with unbelievers, Gen. 6:12. This is still a sin and will always be a sin, 'Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers' 2 Cor. 6:14. Sometimes it has been asked, "how do you know that this believer is not going to lead that unbeliever into the kingdom, when they are going together?" One is not lead by the light of the Holy Spirit through sin. One may repent, but that is a different matter. Consider the following true story. A certain young believing man became engaged to an unbelieving girl. They decided to go to summer services together and to travel by train on which many believers were also riding. During the trip this unbelieving girl became involved in a conversation with several believers about matters of faith. After some discussion, this girl received the grace of repentance. As a finder of the treasure of faith and having become a child of God, she began to wonder if her fiancé was believing correctly himself in having become engaged to her, let alone' 'having started a relationship with her. She walked up the train aisle to where he was sitting and told him of her repentance and spoke of breaking the engagement. She explained to him that she was concerned about his understanding of faith because he had become engaged to her as an unbeliever and that he couldn't have done that if his faith matters were correct. She felt that now as a believer it was best that she not remain engaged to him and intended to return the ring. More discussion ensued and the boy then comprehended his condition and repented. The brothers encouraged that the couple, correctly understanding the matter, now remain engaged to be married. We understand from God's Kingdom that light hath no fellowship with darkness', 2 Cor. 2:14. When the marriage vows an engaged couple hears at their wedding are received with believing hearts, the couple certainly comprehends and rejoices in the of the unity of spirit through mutual faith. Congregation sing: Song 125 If one has been recently converted, it has been understood in living christianity that they be allowed to grow in the grace and knowledge of God's Kingdom for a time, without courtship. Let it be for a while and if a relationship is to grow, God will show that in His time. If it is to happen, we don't need to force or hasten it on our own. The Apostle Peter refers to the care of new converts in this way 'As new born babes desire the sincere milk of the word. that ye may' grow thereby'. 1 Pet. 2:2 3 . Practical Considerations 'But if any provide not for his own...' 1 Tim. 5:8. Marriage brings with it many responsibilities, and one needs to be able to provide. The emotional and financial demands are very real and can at times be exceptionally heavy. It is important to be prepared for this. This includes among other things maturity, responsibility, some type of livelihood, and perhaps training and education. God certainly gives all things to us; but it is possible, through our own neglect, to bring on some of our own burdens. It is prudent and wise to plan with some degree of preparation. 4 . Conduct During Courtship God's word teaches us that 'Denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world', Titus 2:12. Two christians with interest in one another should get to know each other in the fellowship and shelter of the believers. Let's hear a short passage from the book The Patrician's Daughter (p. 70) as it describes a certain christian courtship. This is not a substitute for scripture but simply used to convey the christian viewpoint in a somewhat practical setting. (Reading) This describes how two young people got to know each other while visiting within a group of believers. Going off alone has it's obvious dangers, Pro 6:27 asks 'Can a man take fire in his bosom, and his clothes not be burned?'. Fornication, which is sexual relations before marriage, is sin; it is also very common in the world today. Statistics show greater and greater percentages of teens are becoming 'sexually active'. Alarmingly, the ages at which teens begin to be sexually active is dropping. Agencies, sometimes including schools, distribute information and devices so that teens can practice 'safe sex' and also avoid pregnancies. These disturbing facts and other similar phenomena clearly indicate the prevailing state of immorality in this present world. We see fulfillment of biblical prophecies concerning the wickedness of the last times. The Bible reminds us that these times shall be as in the days of Noah, Matt. 24:37, when exceedingly great immorality was openly witnessed. Believers cannot in any way accept such changing attitudes and permissiveness of sin and filth of the flesh, nor it's underlying corruption of the mind and heart. The Apostle Paul instructs, 'make not provision for the flesh, to fulfill the lusts thereof', Rom. 13:12. The next song speaks of temptation, and in faith, battling against it. Congregation sing: Song 121 v. 5-8 Only in marriage should an intimate physical relationship. expressly intended for man and wife, begin. Sexual activities of any kind not just intercourse, outside of marriage are sin; and such sin that the Bible clearly states that fornicators and adulterers will not inherit the kingdom of heaven, 1 Cor. 6:9., but rather will fall into perdition, where there shall be 'weeping and gnashing of teeth'. Adultery and fornication are what we refer to as 'sins unto death'. We do not equivocate or leave unclear our position on these kinds of matters, but simply state the understanding in christianity. Paul wrote to 'abstain from fornication', 1 Thes. 4:3. Of course, there is grace of forgiveness for these sins as there was for King David but sad to say, also as it was with David, sorrowful consequences may result. One is subject to all sorts of STD's, not to mention a multitude of other possible sorrows and afflictions. However, the greatest reason to abstain from any sin is out of obedience to God's word and the desire to keep faith and a good conscience. Again we can see from the Patricians' Daughter (p. 79) the simple, clear way of faith in this matter. (Reading) Courting couples should avoid seclusion, as the temptations of the flesh are great and 'if you play with fire you're going to get burned'. Maintain the christian understanding and practice of 'hands off'. It is this way and we don't, for a moment, want to deceive ourselves or others: sexual activities prior to marriage are sin. God's kingdom is the 'pillar and ground of truth' 1 Tim. 3:5, and teaches this way through the Holy Spirit. We want to be obedient and rejoice in the wisdom, care, and instruction of the Holy Spirit. Paul writes to young Timothy about fleeing youthful lusts, and of keeping faith and a good conscience. This is very good and healthy instruction. If sin has wounded, God's grace washes sins away in the name and blood of Jesus. Song 114 reminds us of Jesus' great care for us. Congregation sing: song 114, v. 3-7. Courtship is a serious matter, and yet a joyful one. Enter prayerfully not playfully. Share the gospel and God's word as a courting couple, pray for one another and for the blessing of God and of His congregation. 'Remember now thy creator in the days of thy youth' Eccl. 12:1.

John Lehtola | 1995 LLC Marquette Summer Services - Speakers and Elders Meeting - July 1 -- Section I Matters That Reason Does Not Comprehend (paradox) First of all I will consider in section one the following matters that reason does not comprehend: a) The existence of God; b) the Triune God; c) the nature of the Scriptures; d) the nature of faith; e) the two natures of Jesus -- Divine and human. a) The Existence of God The existence of God cannot be proven by scientific means or methods. God is a hidden God, an invisible spirit (Joh. 4:24;2 Cor.3:17: ls. 45:15; 1 Tim. 6:16). God said to Moses than no man has seen God and lived (Ex.33:20). We cannot see Him with our eyes or fathom him with our thoughts. To know, understand, and approach God is entirely a matter of faith. Whatever man knows of God he knows through God's own revelation of Himself, either through God's work of creation and providence, or through the His holy Book, the Bible. Had God not revealed Himself, man would have never known Him, since God is the absolute, perfect Personality, who dwells "in the light which no man can approach unto" (1 Tim.6:16). The holy Scripture are the revelation of God, His holy and unperishing word. b) Triune God According to the Holy Scriptures, God is one in essence, but in this one essence there are three distinct Persons, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. God the heavenly Father is the Creator. The writer to the Hebrews clearly states that by faith we understand that God created the world, the visible and invisible, with His word (Heb. 1 1 :3; Col 1:16). ln the creation story the Bible relates that when God commanded something to be created, it came to pass: "And God said, Let the waters under the heaven be gathered together unto one place, and let the dry land appear: and it was so." Not even a believer can understand on the basis of his mind the existence of the triune God or that everything -- visible and invisible -- was created by Him. Faith is not a product of the mind, but according to the words of Paul, faith is foolishness to the mind. God's existence cannot be proven scientifically or demonstrated by the mind, but it is completely a matter of faith. c) The Bible -- God's Revelation ls the Bible a geology, biology or a history book? lt is none of these, but rather it is a book containing God's revelation for the salvation of souls. ln contrast to all other books in the world, Holy Scripture is the Word of God. The Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments, which the prophets wrote by divine inspiration, are throughout, from beginning to end, the words of God Himself. Luther writes on this point: "You must deal with Scripture in such a way that you accept it just as if God Himself is speaking." Holy Scripture does not merely attest to the fact that it is God's word; it also explains the peculiar manner in which God gave His word to men. lt clearly teaches that the Word of God was inspired, and enlivened unto certain holy men, whom God called to be the official writers of His holy book, so that "all Scripture is given by inspiration of God" (2 Tim.3:16). Scripture emphatically declares: "The prophecy came not in old time by the will of man, but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost" (2 Peter 1:21). Since the holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Ghost, they wrote not their own words, but those which God Himself put into their minds. Apostle Paul writes of this to the Corinthians: "Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual" (1 Cor. 2:13). The Bible, therefore, is the holy word of God, for it has originated and come from God. But on the other hand, we must say that the Bible is also a human word, for it has been transmitted to us via man. After the fall in Paradise, God proclaimed to fallen mankind salvation through faith in the seed of the woman, who would crush the head of the serpent. This method of orally proclaiming His word was retained by God until the time when He called lsrael out of Egypt and made them His chosen people. Up to this time the Scripture existed as oral traditions, only in the minds and mouths of men. At a later stage these oral narratives were written down and edited over a period of one thousand years (1500 - 400 B.C.).These narratives were written down by human hands. But in spite of the human factor, the Bible is completely the word of God, as Paul writes to Timothy: "All scripture is given by inspiration of God" (2 Tim.3:16). d) Nature of Faith ln one old Finnish children's religion textbook there is an example illustrating the nature of faith. A father is in a dark root cellar under the kitchen. Father tells his little son to jump into the dark hole, and he will catch him. The boy cannot see the father, but, hearing the father's voice and trusting him, jumps into his waiting hands. The writer to the Hebrews defines faith: "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen" (Heb. 11:1). [Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seenl. Also, "But without faith it is impossible to please him; for he that cometh to God must believe that he is ..." (Heb. 11:6). e) Two Natures of Jesus -- Divine and Human The second article of the creed deals with matters that are completely contrary and beyond the understanding of carnal reason. Jesus was, on the one hand human, experiencing hunger, thirst, weariness, and he even cried twice. But Jesus was at the same time divine. The Nicene creed states of Jesus: ". begotten of the Father before all ages, God of God, Light of Light, very God of very God, begotten not made, being of one substance with the Father ..." Jesus was conceived of the Holy Ghost, not of the will of any man, and born of the virgin Mary. Jesus walked perfect footsteps, never falling into sin. He was tempted in every point like you and l, says the writer to the Hebrews, but was completely sinless. These are things the carnal mind wars against. After Jesus was crucified and buried, he rose victorious from the grave on the third day for our redemption. This is a historical fact. Luther writes in the explanation to the 2nd article of the creed: "who has redeemed me, a lost and condemned creature, purchased and won me from all sin, from death, and from the power of the devil, not with gold and silver, but with His holy and precious blood, 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 has risen from the dead and lives and reigns to all eternity. This is most certainly true." Apostle Paul wrote about the resurrection to the Corinthians, who disputed it. "Now if Christ be preached that he rose from the dead, how say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead? But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then is Christ not risen: and if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain ... and if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins. Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished" (1 Cor. 15: 12,13,14,17,18). Section ll 1. Battle of Faith and Reason. ln Christianity we have learned that faith is not a matter of the mind or of reason. The mind of man brings about many difficult situations for us in our daily lives. Where is reason especially manifest? How many of us have ever been in a situation where we have asked some of the basic questions of our faith? Can it be so that only we will be saved? ls there truly a God? The mind may rebell against God's procreation in marriage. ls it reasonable to accept all the children into our family that God gives, even though we are tired, our hands full tending to the other children, and the world seems to be over populated anyway? Does it make sense to deny ourselves the sometimes seemingly innocent worldly pleasures? Students may encounter conflicting theories of creation in school. The philosophical ideas and meditations of this time put their stamp on today's life. Many new religions have spread into our country. Christian faith is the only faith that believes in salvation of souls without the aid of the mind. New phenomena are the New Age Movement and Satanic worship. The first mentioned is a confusing mix of Christian faith and satanism. The muslim faith is also rapidly spreading throughout our country. These reasonings of the mind can be associated with the question that the serpent asked of the first human pair in paradise: "Did God truly say so?" God has revealed His will to us through His word, which word doesn't always agree with our own desires and thoughts. When we experience an inner conflict, we say that our mind is warring against faith. There are many doctrinal questions that are closely related to this topic: the miracles of the Bible, the doctrine of Jesus, that he is both God and man, and the doctrine of sin, which are often difficult to understand. When Jesus for the first time revealed the events he was to soon encounter in Jerusalem, Peter took Him aside to warn and rebuke him. Jesus reprimanded Peter: "Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men" (Matt. 16:23). We encounter situations in our everyday life where faith and reason battle against each other. Social drinking at business functions, tax evasion or other deceptions. The importance of watching is to be emphasized in the life of a believer. Did the former saints battle with their reason around the same or similar doubts? The people of lsrael complained about the senselessness of the wilderness journey during those forty years. Although life in Egypt was difficult, the basics of life were nevertheless provided for. During the wilderness journey the human side overcame them many times, for the goal of the journey was lost and carnal thoughts caused the people to rise up against Moses and Aaron. The reason for the inner conflict was because the thought-world, which is based upon what we see with our eyes or hear with our ears, is different from what God reveals in His word. A graphic example can be seen in the life of Abraham. Surely Abraham experienced an inner battle as he went to sacrifice lsaac. I'm sure Noah's feelings weren't very pleasant as he built the ark on dry land and listened to the unbelievers laugh at and ridicule him. 2. Why One Cannot Believe and Understand with the Mind? As a result of the fall in Paradise, man became completely corrupt -­from the crown of his head to the heal of the foot, says the prophet (ls. 1:6). The mind or reason of man was also darkened. After the fall man did not lose his rational ability to understand, regulate, and to some degree shape the world. God did not remove the rule of reason. Fallen man, however, misuses reason and its accomplishments. He is so cognizant of his reason and of the great things that it can do that he forgets God who has given him all the gifts he possesses. Man takes pride in his own achievements, saying, "This I have made," instead of humbly and thankfully confessing, "This I have received." ... Reason was not destroyed by the fall but it was made to serve the sinful ego and self-glorification of fallen man. Reason of fallen man is "fleshly." lt is blind to sin and unable to see God, his true nature and state. Luther writes: "... in divine things, that is, in those which pertain to God ... as to be acceptable to Him and obtain salvation for us, our nature is so stark- and stone-blind, so utterly blind, as to be unable to recognize these matters at all." ln the area of man's relationship to God, reason has received some knowledge, known as general revelation. Luther always emphasized that human reason possesses the natural law. No proclamation of God's will or of the law given to Moses would mean anything to men if the law were not written in their hearts (Rom. 1). Although man's reason or natural intellect still has a dim spark of knowledge that there is a God, as well as of the teaching of the law (Rom. 1:19-21, 28,32), nevertheless, it is so ignorant, blind, and perverse that when even the most gifted and most educated people on earth read or hear the gospel of the Son of God and the promise of eternal salvation, they cannot by their own powers perceive this, comprehend or understand it, or believe and accept it as the truth. On the contrary, the more zealously and diligently they want to comprehend spiritual things with their reason, the less they understand or believe, and until the Holy Ghost enlightens and teaches them they consider it all mere foolishness and fables. As St. Paul says in I Cor. 2:14. "But the natural man receiveth not (does not perceive) the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned." 3. Reason Is a Gift of Creation Are the children of God simple, because the mind cannot comprehend faith? They are not more simple than others. Believers have received the gift of faith, which cannot be acquired by the mind after Adam and Eve fell into sin. The mind is often the ally of the enemy of souls. God, the creator of all, has bestowed upon man both faith and reason (intellect). Correctly used, the reason is an aid to the spirit, an ally or confederate. Humans were created as rational beings. We are able to think and exchange thoughts with others with the help of language, for example. Reason is a gift of God, a dowry from the Creator to mankind. ln his explanation to the first article of the creed, Luther says: God has given and still preserves to me my "reason and all my senses, ... All of which He does without any merit or worthiness in ffie, but out of fatherly, divine goodness and mercy. For all of which I am duty bound to thank, praise, serve and obey Him." Luther says that reason is the essential and main earthly blessing for man, and therefore man stands far above all other living beings. Through it man excercises that stewardship over the earth which was given to him in Gen. 1:28. Reason provides the light by which man can see and administer the affairs of this world. Reason is the source and bearer of all culture. It has discovered all arts and sciences, all medicine and law, and it administers them. None of this is to be despised; rather all is to be regarded and praised as the noble gift of God. All great inventions, which simplify man's everyday life, are products of the mind of man. ln them we can see God's infinite greatness. Thus Luther greeted the new flowering of the sciences in his time. He was very happy about the new art of printing books [invention of the Guttenburg press, which revolutionized the worldl and praised it as the highest and final gift of God before the end of the world. We can observe the advances in the areas of technology and medical science that have taken place in the past decades. There has never been a revolution in technology during the history of civilization to equal that which we have experienced in this century. New cures have been found for diseases that were incurable only a few years ago. Advances in technology have been mind-boggling. During there lifetime, many have seen technological progress ranging from the flight of the first airplane in 1909, to the moonlanding in 1969, to the recent launching of the Hubble Space Telescope that is searching for the outer limits of the universe. Today computer chips have been reduced to pinhead dimensions, allowing computers to shrink from room-size to suitcase-size and smaller. Many systems have a storage capability that enables users to work efficiently with millions of characters of information. The speeds of today's fastest computers are expressed in terms of billionths of a second (nanoseconds). God the Creator has given men the power to do all these things by originally implanting and creating the abilities within him. This is part of man's creation in the image of God, that is, so that he may rule over the earth. The reason of man and the functioning of his brain are of utmost importance in this life it is one great gift from God. A severe stroke, resulting from the interruption of the flow of blood to the brain, may destroy so much of the brain that death or total incapacitation results. A less severe stroke may damage tissue in the brain, temporarily or permanently destroying functions dependent on that tissue. A person may lose his speech or the movement and control of his limbs, for example, depending upon the area of the brain destroyed. Education Education is important for a believer. During these times of high technology and science, it is very difficult to get a decent job without any education and professional training. lt pays to study, and study as long and progress as far as one has stamina for. ln this changing and progressive society, in which the work field is becoming more technological, the significance of studying and education is emphasized and of utmost importance. There are no shortcuts to acquiring new skills; one must go to school and study long and hard. The need for education is also apparent for the older generation, as well. Many adults have had to return to school to gain new skills as technology advances in their work field. It pays to have trust and faith in the future. We need to have the mind of Luther, who said, that even if he knew that the world would end tomorrow, he would plant an apple tree today. We must remember that the use of the mind or knowledge does not cause one to fall from faith, but it is sin that separates man from God. The opposite of faith is not reason or understanding, or knowledge, but unbelief. The Reason as an Aid to the Spirit. Faith is the light of the reason, it is the eye ointment, a word which has been used when alluding to the Holy Spirit. Faith does not snuff out or darken the mind and its ability to reason and think, but it opens up a whole new world. We often have to use reason and thought processes in this life. Spiritual understanding is born from the cooperation of faith and the mind -- something of the kind was said in the Bible: it was acceptable to the Holy Spirit and us (Acts 15). One should never belittle understanding or wisdom. ln many instances the Bible exhorts us to strive for it. Of course, one must remember that wisdom in spiritual matters is not one's own wisdom nor is it based on one's own intellect. A believer who understands much -- if there is such a one -- is no better than someone who understands little, but in these areas the gifts are manifold but the Spirit is one. We must also remember that little children and mentally handicapped individuals, who are not able to think at all, or to a very limited extent, are believers -- for such is the kingdom of heaven, said Jesus. 4. Dangers of Reasoning and Meditating. Many points of the doctrine of Christ are very difficult, if not impossible, for the mind to comprehend -- they go above and beyond the mind of man. One great stumbling block for unbelievers is the doctrine of the kingdom. This was even a troubling question for the disciples of Jesus: Are these all that will be saved? (Lk. 13:23). Jesus did not directly answer this question, but replied as follows: "Strive to enter in at the straight gate; for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able." The origin of the universe is a question that many ponder. How old is the universe, how was it formed, what is the origin of man? For many single men and women in the kingdom, a difficult question is will I ever receive a spouse? The ratio of men to women seems so lopsided that some may wonder will there be someone for me? Everyone can enjoy their lot in life to the fullest for it has been given by God. Whether single or married, individuals have their own calling in life. Seeking for a spouse can become the most important matter in a person's life. lt may even go before faith. God will give a spouse -- even without seeking --if He so sees fit. lt is often forgotten that a spouse has not been intended for everyone. One does not need to get envious or bitter. "Human value" is not measured by whether one is married or not. Each human is valued, being created by God and redeemed by Christ. ls doesn't pay to extinguish the voice of reason in matters of courtship. lt pays to be realistic and not superspiritual. One shouldn't think, for example, that two individuals who are mentally immature without a career or job will be "taken care of" by God when they get married. This is a question of tempting God, similar to that with which Jesus was tempted (Matt. 4). But on the other hand, fears about future financial needs do not need to become insurmountable so that one doesn't dare to get married. 5. ln Conclusion Scriptures teach us that the man who is "in sin" (in unbelief) is not only weak and sick, but that he is truly lifeless and "dead" (Eph. 2:1,5; Col. 2:13\. Just as little as a person who is physically dead can by his own powers prepare or accommodate himself to regain temporal life, likewise can no man who is spiritually dead, in sin, prepare or address himself by his own power to obtain spiritual and heavenly righteousness and life, unless the Son of God liberates him from the death of sin and makes him alive through the gospel. The sense or soundness of living faith is seen in this, that we have a doctrine that is not conflict with itself. One part of a sermon does not conflict with another part. Speakers with different gifts do not teach in conflict with one another. lf one would ask of any believer in any part of the world how one finds the gracious God, the questioner will receive the same answer. By faith God opens the understanding of every believer. We do not comprehend in this life what we will once in heaven, but now only in part as in a mirror, or through a dim glass. God will protect us, His own children, and help us to differentiate the narrow pathway from the broad one, and the voice of the Good Shepherd from the voice of the hireling. 1 Cor. 1:17-31

Dan Rintamaki | 1996 LLC Outlook Summer Services - Youth Discussion - June 25 -- Christian courtship has often been discussed in God's Kingdom. Most recently, this was the topic for a youth discussion at the Winter Services in Phoenix. It is such an important matter that the Holy Spirit has seen it good to address it again here at the Summer Services. By faith we trust and believe that our Heavenly Father will guide us, teach us, and establish us even further on His imperishable Word. Is not this our prayer, dear brothers and sisters? In the book of Genesis, chapter 2, verse 18, God said: "It is not good that man should be alone." God in His love for His created man saw this need and provided Adam with a help mate. Moses writes, "Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh" (Gen. 2:24). Thus God has established marriage. It is God's will that what he created would continue and so he commanded Adam and Eve: "Be fruitful and multiply and replenish the earth" (Gen. 1:28). Thus God has linked procreation to marriage. Christian courtship should begin with the prayer that God would grant His blessing. It should begin only with the purpose and hope of a lasting marriage. Christian courtship is such a serious matter that we should avoid foolish matchmaking, and excessive teasing. It is good to be thoughtful and considerate as to not interfere in the lives of fellow travelers in faith. In the world courtship or dating is commonly viewed as entertainment or for getting to know many different ones. One is then able to choose wisely that best one. Experimenting with sexual relations and even living together outside of marriage are also widely accepted in our society. According to God's Word this is adultery and adulterers shall not inherit the Kingdom of God (Gal. 5:19-21). In Christian courtship, sexual relations are not permissible. The sin of adultery results in the loss of faith. After the fall of Adam and Eve, the enemy of souls continued his evil work. In Genesis 6:2 it is written: "That the sons of God saw the daughters of men that they were fair, and they took wives of all which they chose." Jesus referred to this time saying, "They were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage" (Matt 24:38) before God destroyed the world with water. It is truly a serious matter when believers look to the world for a spouse. When a believer begins to court an unbeliever and considers an unbeliever for a spouse, it indicates an inward fall. The Word of God teaches in 11 Cor. 6:14: "Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers." It is sin. Disobedience will eventually result in shipwreck of faith. Courtship with unbelievers is not a form of mission work. Anyone who receives the grace of repentance understands through faith that it is entirely the grace work of God. Also, if repentance is made for any other purpose than soul's salvation, it is a false repentance and wrong. Only God is able to draw one into His Kingdom. Luther explains that God calls sinners by the Holy Spirit through the Gospel. If there is interest between a new convert and another believer, God's congregation has advised them to wait until the seed of God's Word has had time to take root and the fruits or the repentance are visible. Jesus says in Matthew 13:23 "But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it: which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. In this way a new brother or sister in faith is nurtured in the love and fellowship of the believers. As Apostle Peter has written in his second epistle, chapter 3:18: "grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ." Dear young friends in faith, when you feel you want a life's companion, pray to the Heavenly Father. Ask Him to help you and guide you. Ask Him for patience to wait for the appropriate time. Pray after the example of our Lord and Saviour Jesus: "not as I will, but as thou wilt" (Matt 26:39). Pray for strength and understanding to accept God's will if He does not provide a mate. In I (Cor 7:7-8. Apostle Paul teaches that it is good to abide even as he that is, unmarried. Those who do not have the responsibilities of family life are able to devote more of their attention to the work of God's Kingdom. It is not a disgrace to remain single. The unmarried are not any less precious before God. Among believers, the single, widows and widowers are carried in the same mutual and forgiving love of the Lord Jesus Christ. It is good to be content with our lot in life, knowing we have a far better hope in things to come. Jesus teaches in Luke 10:20 "Rejoice, because your names are written in Heaven." When considering courtship it is advisable to think of the practical aspects. A good question to begin with is: Am I really ready to get married, establish and support a home and family? This is especially true for young people who are in school or college studying and preparing for their future. There are very serious responsibilities involved. Sober thinking and caution are certainly in order. When courtship does begin, the best and most precious advice is found in God's Kingdom "which is the pillar and ground of truth" (I Tim 3:15). Getting to know one another in the company of believers is advisable to resist temptation. Avoid long moments alone. In mutual honesty, acknowledge that flesh and blood is indeed flesh and blood. Luther says that when hay and flame come together, there is a disaster. Apostle Paul advises in I Thes. 5:22 "to abstain from all appearance of evil." Dear young brother and sister, careless courtship and disobedience to the voice of the Holy Spirit will certainly result in deadly wounds of the conscience. It is truly worthwhile to be mindful of these matters and to begin marriage on a pure and wholesome foundation. Mutual faith and love are the indescribable gifts of God unto man and woman. They are preserved at the throne of grace, to which sinners are invited. It is here in the midst of God's Kingdom where the voice of the blood of our Lord and Saviour yet speaks. Believe even now the forgiveness of all journey faults and sins in Jesus' Holy Name and Precious Blood.

Various | 2017 September Voice of Zion -- The LLC’s Home and Family committees were established in 2012. In September of that year, committee representatives from many congregations gathered at Stony Lake Camp to discuss and organize this work. In recent years, congregations have requested workshops in their areas to continue discussing the work and how to best support others. God’s love causes His children to desire to help all neighbors in need. This year, such workshops were held in Menahga, Minn. and Dunblane, Sask. Preventative Gospel Work Home and Family, Diaconal Workshop Held in Menahga, Minn. The Work Continues. Earlier this year, Keith Waaraniemi, of the Minneapolis congregation, and Jouko Haapsaari, of the Rockford congregation, journeyed to Menahga, Minn. to visit with the northern Minnesota congregations’ Home and Family committees about this important work. Waaraniemi brought out that this is not new work, as Jesus taught in the Second Commandment, “Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself” (Matt. 22:39). Home and family and diaconal work are about personally believing and then preaching this gospel of the forgiveness of sins to others. “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith. (Rom. 1:16,17). The gospel is for the support of both families, and individuals. We need to encourage those with heavy trials and help them to remember the joy of believing and the joy of our families. We learned much about supporting homes and families. We were reminded how God’s Word is our foundation, and we can turn to it for instruction. God’s grace and truth is revealed by the power of the Holy Spirit. Our faith helps to protect against harmful influences. Connections to believers is a source of strength. Marital relations can be nurtured in God’s kingdom. The Work is Not Done Alone In visiting about the work, the committees were reminded of their duty to guide, while engaging the help of other congregation members. Apostle Paul reminds how there are diversities of gifts, but the same spirit (1 Cor. 12:4). We desire to support the small home congregation, where the teaching is the most important. By using the gifts in the congregation, the hands of a tired and weary traveler can be lifted by a circle of friends who are willing to help. This circle includes those closest to the person or people in need of help, and can be guided by the Home and Family committee. This is all God’s work, and all honor and glory goes to Him. Preserving the Family Unit “Preserving the Family Unit,” presented by Haapsaari, was timely and based on God’s Word. He shared examples of his life when touching on many issues. Forgiveness is needed to preserve the family unit. God’s Word instructs husbands and wives how to treat each other, using Christ as the example. God’s kingdom is a level-headed flock, and the family is a small congregation where children can be taught about God’s kingdom. The home should be a good and safe place to dwell, where above all things, love prevails. Forgiveness is not only from our lips, but from our heart. Love is like the mortar between bricks that holds everything together. It is good if we can join into the hopes and prayer of Joshua, who said, “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord” (Josh. 24:15). Isaac Ylitalo, of Menahga, came to the workshop. “It was nice to listen to the committee’s ideas and to hear the supportive comments from others in our area,” he said. “It seemed that everyone was wanting to learn more ideas, rather than only trying to teach.” Scott Hillstrom and Rod Nikula Let Us Love One Another Home and Family, Diaconal Workshop in Dunblane, Sask. Members of the Home and Family and diaconal committees in Saskatchewan and Alberta gathered in May at the Dunblane church for a workshop led by Keith Waaraniemi and Adrian Pirness. As one participant put it at the end of the day, “It was a wonderful day.” God’s Love Guides the Work The workshop began with opening devotion by Waaraniemi, during which we were reassured that despite feelings of emptiness, we can “pour oil” from one vessel to another, or work together and move forward. We were reminded of the love that Jesus had for Mary and Martha at the time of their brother Lazarus’s death. God’s love among the believers, also today, constrains us to do this important work. Pirness’ presentation that followed focused on the history of Home and Family work and the nature of preventative gospel work. It has been done through the ages. God’s Word directs us to believe in God and love one another. If our focus is on support and encouragement of our families and each other, we can prevent problems from occurring. But when trials do come, we are instructed to “bear one another’s burdens,” through our connections with other believers. As committee members, we can ask ourselves—what can we do to help to strengthen connections, and to help foster love among the members of our congregations? Focusing the Work During the discussion, we talked about where we should be focusing our efforts in our congregations. Each of the committees reported on activities that have been organized in their areas, and Waaraniemi gave examples from other congregations. It was interesting to note how the needs in each congregation can differ depending on its size and demographics. Some activities that work well in one place may not be as fitting for another. The work also happens on its own, without formal organization from a committee. The afternoon discussion touched on how congregation members can become involved in the work. Fostering connections between the elders and the children and youth would be beneficial. Inter-generational friendships bring much joy and benefit to each side! There were discussions on providing congregational support for students going to opisto, or for one or two couples to attend couples camp. The topic of addictions also came up. This is an issue that is prevalent in our time, and where education and discussion are needed. Technology and the need for vigilance in this area was spoken about as well. Trust in God’s Help Duane Pirness gave the closing devotion, reading from Colossians 3: “Put on…bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness…put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness...do all in the name of Jesus, giving thanks to God.” The matters discussed during the day are all part of the time we live, and we want to trust in the Heavenly Father’s help. Even though the times, temptations, and phenomena change, God’s Word does not change. It is the foundation on which we can base our lives. The love that Christ instructs us to have for one another helps us to forebear and forgive each other. God has revealed to us that Home and Family work is important, and we do it according to His will and timeframe. Workshop attendee, Krista Simonson, of Saskatoon, Sask., says, “It was a chance to discuss timely matters and the most important matter, which remains the same over all time. We were reminded that God will continue to help and guide. We can trust in His good care.” Laura Pirness

Nathan Muhonen | 2018 April-May Shepherd's Voice -- Dear God, Can You See into My Heart? We often wonder, what is God like? Is He big or small? Does He look like us, or can He even be seen at all? Can He see me and everyone else at the same time? What does God think about me when I’m naughty? All kinds of questions like these can go through our mind. One way we can learn more about God is by reading His Word, the Holy Bible, and going to services and camps. The most important thing in our life is to be a child of God, keeping faith and a good conscience. The Bible teaches us that we can’t see God with our natural eyes, but we can see Him with our eyes of faith. In order to know God, we must have faith in Him, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit. You might ask, “What is faith?” Faith is believing God and trusting in Him, even though we can’t see Him. God’s Son Jesus is our Savior who came into this world to save us from all of our sins. The Holy Spirit lives in each child of God. It teaches and comforts us, like a mother does with her child. How Do We Keep Our Conscience Clean? God also gave us a conscience. He asks us to keep our conscience clean. How do we do that? Let’s visit about how we do that in our everyday life. When you were a little baby, your parents had you baptized. The minister poured water on your head, and said, “I baptize thee, in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost.” Baptism is an agreement with God to keep faith and a good conscience. One continues in this agreement by putting away sin as it attaches. We have been given the grace gift of confession in which we can speak of our sins, but most importantly, we can be comforted with the forgiveness of sins in Jesus’ name and blood. God promises to be with His own until the end of the world. God knows that we are sinful, and when we sin our conscience becomes wounded and we feel bad. We would like to forget about it, but we just can’t. God teaches you and me to humble ourselves and tell mom or dad or another believer what we did and ask to have our sins forgiven. They gladly preach the forgiveness of sins. When we believe this, our conscience becomes clean and we are once again happy and have the peace of God in our hearts. When I was a boy, we lived close to a candy store. I wasn’t old enough to have a steady income, so I had to earn money to buy candy. One time I ran out of money, but I still wanted candy. The devil told me that mom has lots of money in her purse and I only need a little. The voice in my conscience told me, “Don’t do it, that’s stealing! Stealing is sin!” I didn’t listen to my conscience and instead took 25 cents and ran to the store. God Hears Our Prayers After eating the candy, my conscience told me, “You have listened to the enemy of your soul, and now you feel the pain of sin.” Then I prayed to God to help me. I thought about what I had done against my mother. The enemy quickly told me, “Don’t worry, your mom doesn’t even know about it, and if she does, you might get in big trouble.” I prayed that I could humble my sinful heart. God heard my prayer and gave me strength to go to my mom and beg for forgiveness for what I had done. She forgave me the sin of stealing and all of my sins in Jesus’ name and blood. She promised me that God also forgave me from heaven. Right away God gave peace to my heart. Dear children, you know that God is in your heart when your sins are forgiven and you have peace of conscience. Nathan Muhonen Things to Visit About: 1. What does it mean to be humble? 2. Faith is a gift, from who? 3. How do we keep this gift of faith? 4. How could we lose our faith? 5. How do we know that God hears our prayers? 6. What is the best thing for us to do when sin is bothering us?

Juhani Uljas | 2000 The Treasure Hidden In a Field -- When Time Will Not Exist Busyness and the feeling that there isn't enough time is characteristic of our time, whereas in eternity, time will have ceased to exist entirely. Then, all the clocks will have stopped, and no one will be tearing pages from a calendar. No one will be in a hurry. Although time-schackled man has difficulty comprehending eternity, it has always fascinated him and occupied his mind. The understanding that when the shackles of time are broken, death loses its grip on him, has heightened man's interest. Scripture's Revelation About Eternal Life The Triune God is eternal. He has neither beginning nor end. “The Father is eternal, the Son is eternal, the Holy Spirit is eternal” (The Athanasian Creed). Isaiah prophesies about Christ's birth,” For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace” (Isa. 9:6). Only God has life in His control. When God spoke to Moses from the burning bush and sent him to be the leader of His people, Moses asked God for His name. God answered, “Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you” (Exod. 3:14). Only God can name himself in this manner, for only He has life and only He can give life. Unless God gives life, no one can say, “I am.” God created man in His own image. He gave man life and made of him an eternal being. The God-given life was eternal. Man lost this gift in the Fall into sin and came under the power of death. The Son also had life as the Father did, as He, himself, states, “For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself” (John 5:26). By His redemption work, Christ reopened the broken connection to life. “God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life” (1 John 5:11,12). The believing person lives eternal life already in time, but looks at it as if through a mirror. Only when he has reached the destination, will he actually comprehend how great a gift Christ has merited for him. “But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you. To him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen” (1 Pet. 5:10,11). Scripture speaks much about the reality of eternal life, but little about what eternal life is like. No one, who has reached the destination, has returned to relate to us about it. The rich man, having gone to torment, hoped that Lazarus would be sent to relate to his brothers about the importance of repentance, but this did not happen (Luke 16:19-31). Isaiah states instead that, God, himself, excepted, no one has heard or seen what happens to those who wait for the Lord (Isa. 64:4). Paul, nevertheless, wrote the words to the Corinthians that have been quoted often and applied to heavenly joy, “Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God” (1 Cor. 2:9,10). In spite of the similarity of the words, Paul did not quote the previous quotation from Isaiah, but, according to the church father Origen, from the revelation of Elijah, which has been left out of the canon of the Old Testament. Paul apparently did not mean with his quotation the beauty of heaven, but the grace kingdom upon earth, which can be seen only through faith. On the other hand, the Spirit reveals to us that it will be good to be in heaven. Luther's Thoughts In his book, In the Battles of Life, Luther relates that, when he was gravely ill during 1537-1538, he pondered eternal life. He did not fear death, but left himself and his life in God's hands. He was sure that he already owned eternal life, for he believed in Christ. During his illness, he spoke many beautiful words about the life to come and its unspeakable joy, which the human mind, however, cannot comprehend. Neither did Luther know when God will create a new heaven and a new earth. He was of that opinion that we should not even ask for that knowledge, since we do not even comprehend the first creation, though we have seen nature and studied it. He pondered how one can get time to pass in eternity as there will not be change or work. Then he realized that there would be enough to study for all of eternity when God opens His secrets. To support his concept, he took Philip's plea, “Lord, show us the Father, and it sufficeth us” (John 14:8). Once Luther pondered with his family and friends whether they would know each other in heaven. He answered favorably to the pondering, since Adam knew Eve when he awoke from his sleep, although he had not met her before. Adam did not ask, “Where did you come from?” He realized, “This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh.” Luther supported his understanding, “Adam was full of the Holy Spirit, and he had the true recognition of God. We will be renewed into this sense and image of God in our coming life in Christ, so that we will know our father and mother and each other better, as Adam knew Eve.” Sin and Death Are Gone If this temporal world created by God is good, although sin has badly corrupted it, how good then will be the new heaven and new earth, where righteousness dwells. Sin and death shall be gone; pain, suffering, and distress will be gone. Joy, peace, and love will be present permanently. The sun and the moon, “the timekeepers,” will no longer be seen. They won't be needed, when Christ, himself will be as the sun. What more could we wish for! It pays to believe. “For, behold, I create new heavens and a new earth: and the former shall not be remembered, nor come into mind. But be ye glad and rejoice for ever in that which I create: for, behold, I create Jerusalem a rejoicing, and her people a joy. And I will rejoice in Jerusalem, and joy in my people: and the voice of weeping shall be no more heard in her, nor the voice of crying” (Isa. 65:17-19).

Juhani Uljas | 2000 The Treasure Hidden In a Field -- At the Change of the Millennium The change of millennia included suspense, and made people stop to think of the past and to ask about the future. It was an event, which only a small portion of mankind has been able to experience. After the change of the prior millennium, 30-40 generations have lived without coming even close to that milepost. Many certainly even gave thought to what is time and what is eternity, that dimension where time doesn't exist. A millennium is such a long period of time that when it changes, eternity touches man, who is shackled to time. During the few weeks prior to the change of millennia, the newspaper in my hometown interviewed people of different ages and educational backgrounds. They were asked whom they considered the most remarkable persons of the concluding millennium and what, in their opinion, were the most important events and noteworthy inventions of that period of time. Naturally, the answers differed, but they had a common trait. Nearly everything important had happened, all noteworthy persons had lived, and the great inventions had been invented during the past fifty years. Only a few things of importance had taken place during the first half of the last century, in the previous century, or before that. The sampling, which included over a hundred people, shows how we are tied to our own time. Although we might already be old, our memory does not cover more than a small fraction of the past millennium. We must take information from history to assist our memories to recall what happened during the past millennium. Even historical information becomes more meager the nearer we come to the beginning of another era. In a similar manner, the newspaper asked people about their concept of the future at the change of millennia. The answers gave a picture of people's hopes and fears. Again, they had a common characteristic. The period of time, to which the expectations extended, was only a few years. We do not have the ability to see into the future. The speed of change makes it more difficult to evaluate the future. People are, indeed all of mankind is, bound to time. Man Bound to Time and the Lord of Time A healthy person can move. If he loses his ability to move about, or if it is limited because of illness or an injury, he experiences it as a trial. We can move north and south, east and west. We can climb and descend. We have these three dimensions at our disposal. The question is of something so natural that we seldom think of it. The fourth dimension is time. It differs from the above-mentioned dimensions because it is not in our control. We cannot move freely through time, but we are bound to it. Time moves on, and we move with it. Sometimes time flies, and sometimes, it crawls. At other times, it feels that it has stopped for a moment. We cannot hasten the passage of time, or turn it back. We cannot jump forward or past a difficult period at hand. Time is part of our lives so fundamentally, that it is difficult to imagine a state of being in which time does not exist. Such is eternity. Luther illustrates this by describing a small bird, which flies to a mountain and scrapes its beak on it and flies away. After a millennium, it returns and does the same thing. Sometime, after an incomprehensible length of time, the mountain is worn down. But eternity never ends. A thousand years is not eternity, not even a fraction of it, even though, at its change, it makes us consider eternity. To people born into and bound to time, Scripture speaks of God, Who is not bound to time. He, the Creator of heaven and earth, is also the Lord of time. He has set time to perform its function and has created man into this time. He has created man to be an eternal being also. He has intended man to live even after time no longer exists. God's Time and Man's Time God has always existed. He has neither beginning nor end, and time does not bind Him. Even the fourth dimension is freely in His use. He is also unchanging, for change belongs to time. God has His own time. It is not the same as man's time. It cannot be measured with our clocks or calendars. Once, in eternity, there was the moment when God started His Creation. It was His time. With His Word, He created the earth and all that we see and comprehend. He also created all that which we do not see, understand, or comprehend. He established the laws and order of nature. He has not needed to correct or revise them. They are in force until God's time, which is the last day, comes. No one else knows that day but the Father alone. God established the borders of time for the world. He created man into time, but differentiated him from the rest of creation. He made man an eternal being. God created man both for time and eternity. For that reason, that, which is outside the realm of time, is of interest to every person. On a clear autumn evening, many of us have looked at the starry sky and thought as did the psalmist, “When I consider thy heavens, the work 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). The future has not been veiled to the Lord of Time as it is to us people. He even knew that man would fall into sin. The Son promised to redeem man, who would fall into the power of sin and death. God created everything dependent upon the promise given by the Son. Redemption existed from the beginning and brought the possibility of eternal life within reach of fallen man. The following words from Psalms convey to us a portion of the discussion between the Father and the Son. The Father turns to the Son and says, “Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee. Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession” (Ps. 2:7,8). To this the Son answers, “I delight to do thy will, O my God” (Ps. 40:8). The Son, Christ, existed for a long time among men only as the Word of the Promise. They, who believed the Promise, awaited its fulfillment. They probably thought that God tarried long. However, He did not tarry, not even to try the faith of the children of God of the Old Covenant. His time had not yet come. But then God's time came. The angels appeared to the shepherds and announced that a Savior had been born unto them. The angels and the whole heavenly host praised God, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men” (Luke 2:14). John says at the beginning of his Gospel, “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 1:14). “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). It was God's time when Jesus began His public ministry. Mark writes of it, “Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of God's kingdom, and saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel” (Mark 1:14,15). Luke tells of the turning point of Jesus' public ministry, “And it came to pass, when the time was come that he should be received up, he steadfastly set his face to go to Jerusalem” (Luke 9:51). It was time for Jesus to redeem His promise, which He had given to the Father before the beginning of time. God purposefully fulfilled His salvation plan, without delaying or hastening. God's time is not only linked to the great events of salvation history; even we can observe in the happenings of God's kingdom when it is, or has been, God's time. Precisely this was in question when, to our surprise, new doors opened over a decade ago for the work of the gospel outside the boundaries of our nation [Finland]. Thirty years earlier, foreign mission work had risen as a topic of dissension. The question is not of the principle, for we had the clear word of Jesus, “Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature” (Mark 16:15). The disagreement regarded joining the activities of the Finnish Mission Society. Conservative Laestadians turned down the offer for mutual work, but agreed on the importance of mission work and remained waiting for the time when God would provide opportunity for their own mission work. This position was held in spite of accusations and criticism. God's time came thirty years later. God's time also touches the individual. It is God's time when He awakens the conscience and allows His kingdom to approach. It is then possible to repent and to believe the gospel. “Behold, now is the accepted time; now is the day of salvation” (2 Cor. 6:2). A person cannot repent when it feels convenient for him, but only then when it is God's time. For that reason, it is a serious matter when a person hears the call from God's kingdom. The person who rejects the call doesn't know if God's time will come again. Neither does he know when his time of grace will end or when his day of departure will come. God, alone, knows this; He has known the number of our days already before our birth. “Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them” (Ps. 139:16). Measuring Time Man has an understanding of time. There exist at least two differing concepts of time. The cyclical concept has its origins in Greece's Hellenistic culture. According to this concept, time's movement is circular. According to the linear concept, time progresses as it were a straight line, it has a beginning as well as an end point. This concept originates in Judaism, and has moved from there into the realm of the Christian faith. The Christian concept of time is based on scriptural revelation that the time of man has a beginning and an end. The present moment divides time into two parts, the past and the future. It is like a fleet arrow, on which we move forward. In order to live and function in time, where to God has bound him, man has developed methods to measure time. God gave the foundations for this already in Creation. When the earth revolved once around the sun, a year had passed. Nature's activity revealed the changes of the seasons. When the moon circled the earth once, a month had passed. Its passage could be followed by the shape of the moon. When the earth rotated once on its axis, a day had passed. At the same time the day's different parts were born: morning, afternoon, evening, and night. Man could follow the passage of the day by the height and direction of the sun. In the beginning, there were no clocks, but man learned early to measure the passage of time using the sun's shadow to his benefit. Scripture describes the sundial of Ahaz. Prophet Isaiah revealed to King Hezekiah that God would heal him of a serious illness and that he did not have to die yet. Hezekiah asked for a sign to verify God's promise. Isaiah answered that the shadow on the sundial of Ahaz would move back ten degrees for a sign that he would be healed. Hezekiah easily understood that the shadow moves clockwise, but it was difficult to comprehend backward movement of the shadow (2 Kings 20:9-11). Hezekiah, himself, had experienced that time was not in man's control. It was just as difficult for him to understand, as it is for us, that time and the laws of nature are ruled by God. It is a blessed and marvelous thing that the Sun of Grace moves counterclockwise and wipes away previously committed sins. When God had created the earth, He rested and sanctified the seventh day to be the day of rest. In this manner, the week was born. Its passage could not be followed like the day and the month from nature or the heavenly bodies. The week had another purpose. God knew that man, whom He had created, also needed a day of rest. The stressed people of our time would feel better if the sanctification of the day of rest were not so commonly forgotten. The weekly day of rest is not only for idleness or hobbies, but also for hearing God's Word. Luther explains the third commandment in the Small Catechism, “We should so fear and love God as not to despise preaching and His Word, but deem it holy, and willingly hear and learn it.” In the Large Catechism, Luther states his thought, “The emphasis of this commandment is not on resting, but on sanctifying.” It was easy to follow the passage of time for one revolution of the sun, but memory and life extended further. A need to observe time, or the calendar, was born. At least two problems had to be resolved: Where would the observation of years be started, and, what would be done since one revolution of the sun was not exactly twelve months long? The differences were not remarkable during a period of a few years, but if longer periods were considered, the more problematic they became. Different nations resolved the problems in different ways. History relates of many kinds of calendars, which have been made more accurate and changed. At present, one uniform calendar system is probably in use in nearly the entire world. The difficulties, that have been experienced in the observation of time, show that managing time is difficult for man. Determining a time by the ruler in power was formerly common. Prophet Isaiah begins the story of his repentance in this manner, “In the year that king Uzziah died I saw also the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up” (Isa. 6:1). This determination of time shows especially clearly when Luke at the beginning of his Gospel, ties the births and public ministry of John the Baptist and Jesus, to the Julian calendar: “There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judea, a certain priest named Zechariah, of the course of Abijah: and his wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth” (Luke 1:5). “And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)” (Luke 2:1,2). “Now in the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, Pontius Pilate being governor of Judea, and Herod being tetrarch of Galilee, and his brother Philip tetrarch of Itruraea and of the region of Trachonitis, and Lysanias the tetrarch of Abilene” (Luke 3:1). The practice of keeping Christ's birth as the starting point for counting time became general in France and Germany in the 900s. This practice is presently common even in those countries where Christianity is the religion of only a small minority. The Last Times The end of the millennium stimulated some unsound speculation and expectations. People wanted to determine appointed times and draw conclusions from scriptural prophecies that had been taken out of context. They were found to be wrong. There is reason to stay away from such calculations. As historical and as serious a matter as the end of a millennium is, it still is only a brief moment, whose time is determined by the unsure human measure of time. God has not bound himself to our calendar. The early congregation lived awaiting Christ's quick return. Had He not promised to come a second time in His glory? It is related in the Acts of the Apostles how the Christians sold their houses and possessions and everything was held in common. When Christ's coming was delayed, the people who waited for Him had problems. Is Christ even coming? The Christians of that period were just as bound to time as we are. It appears that in Corinth and Thessalonica an understanding arose that they who had died before Christ's coming had believed in vain. Paul refuted this, “Now if Christ be preached that he rose from the dead, how say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead?” (1 Cor. 15:12). He wrote to the Thessalonians, “But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him” (1 Thess. 4:13,14). The gospel, which they who had slept in faith had heard, had made them partakers in Christ's Resurrection. When the last day dawns and the graves open, they shall rise to meet Christ together with all believers. The time of waiting will not have felt long to them. Time lost its hold on them when they closed their eyes to this world. Peter wrote that a thousand years with the Lord is as one day (2 Pet. 3:8). He did not mean that we should take the phrase as a unit of measure by which we would observe God's time, and thereby try to fit His omnipotence into our limited comprehension. Peter's words teach us the very opposite that God's time is different from man's, and it is not for man to measure. That word was written for the people who awaited a quick coming of the Lord. They doubted when His coming was delayed. The doubts were increased when some gave up believing, waiting, and watching, and started to ridicule. Peter especially emphasized that the Lord will come unexpectedly, “as a thief in the night.” He says that the coming tarries because there are yet those who must come in. The New Testament also speaks of the last times or days, as well as the events and signs of the times preceding the coming of Christ. In the revelation about the last times, two matters are intertwined. First of all, the children of God are warned about the dangers and errors of the last times, and the importance of watchfulness is emphasized, for the last day shall come unexpectedly. Paul wrote to the Corinthians, “Now all these things happened to them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come” (1 Cor. 10:11). The Epistle to the Hebrews starts, “God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son” (Heb. 1:1,2). The writers comprehended through faith that the last phase of God's salvation plan, which He had laid down before the beginning of the ages, had begun. Paul joins in this thought with his words to the Corinthians, “God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation” (2 Cor. 5:19). The Father created and the Son redeemed. When the Redemption had taken place, the congregation of the New Testament, having received the office of the Holy Spirit, set out to bear the sermon of reconciliation into all the world. In his Gospel, Matthew preserved Jesus' own teachings about the last times (Matt. 24,25). The signs are evident in both the outward and spiritual worlds. They are also in God's kingdom. Nevertheless, Christ will come unexpectedly. Ordinary workday life will continue until the end. On the day that Christ will come, two persons will be sowing or harvesting in the field, one will be taken and the other left. Two persons will be grinding grain into flour, one will be taken and the other left. “But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only” (Matt. 24:36). All of the scriptural teachings regarding the last times are dominated by the admonition to watch and the warning against being led astray. We want to believe so that we will be ready to receive Christ. Ahead of us is a journey on which we will depart unexpectedly. God's kingdom is secure. When fatigue weighs heavily, the children of God admonish each other to watch. The apostle exhorted the Hebrews, who were also troubled by fatigue, “And 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). Caring love works to the end so that the weak and tired will reach the destination. The Lord Jesus is the throne of grace until He moves to the throne of glory. “Lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world” (Matt. 28:20).

Juhani Uljas | 2000 The Treasure Hidden In a Field -- Gifts Include Responsibility Jesus related a parable about a master, some servants, and talents, which the master had entrusted to them (Matt. 25:14-30). The master is God, the servants are people, and the talents are the gifts that God has given them. The parable teaches us that the gifts have responsibility attached to their use. God did not give them just for our own joy and benefit, but also so that his purposes would be fulfilled in our lives. The master trusted his servants and gave them great freedom in their actions but did not free them from responsibility. Freedom and responsibility are part of a person's life. The greater the freedom, the greater the responsibility. Responsibility separates man from other creatures. God gave the rest of creation into man's care (Gen. 1:26). In this portion of the creation narrative, man's freedom and responsibility are described perhaps the most broadly. God did not give man the right to spoil and destroy nature or the rest of creation, but he called man to assist Him in cultivating and caring for the earth. What will we answer as members of mankind, when once we will be asked how we have taken care of this duty? Our heads will probably drop down, and we will not be able to defend ourselves with anything. Selfishness, greed, and shortsighted pursuit of one's own benefit have destroyed that which we should have tended. In the parable, the master gave varying amounts of talents, but all received at least one. The talent, as it is translated in the New [Finnish] Church Bible, was a very large coin. It equaled 6,000 denarii, and one denarius was the regular daily wage for a man. One talent, therefore, equaled approximately what a workman could earn during his lifetime. We could also consider that the talent, which all of the servants received for their use, was their temporal life. Every person is responsible for his life, independent of whether he is conscious of it or not. God has equipped us for the sake of living. In the Small Catechism, Luther explains the First Article of The Creed, “I believe that God has made me and all other creatures; that he has given and still preserves to me my body and soul, eyes, ears, and all my members, my reason and all my senses.” God does not “clone.” He has not created two identical persons, but rather every person is an individual. God has His purpose and plan for every person. He has given everyone precisely those gifts necessary to realize that purpose. We often trivialize our own gifts and are jealous of the gifts of others. Sometimes, on the other hand, we overvalue our own abilities and skills. The cause of both behaviors is our own pride. We would want to be better than others. However, God's Word exhorts us to reasonably value ourselves and our gifts (Rom. 12:3). Sometimes we turn down a duty offered us, thinking, “Let others who have better gifts do it.” Are we then like that servant, who received one talent and buried it in the ground? People Were Created to Be With Each Other The gifts, which God has given us, also include those close to us. God did not create people to be alone but to be together. God's statement, “It is not good that man should be alone” (Gen. 2:18), primarily means a spouse in marriage, but it also covers the family circle, all other people, and interaction with them. Our responsibility for the gifts that God has given us includes our relationship to our neighbors. God's Word guides us to love our neighbors and to act in their best interest. Living together with other people gives purpose and content to our lives, while loneliness and selfishness bring distress and emptiness. When we work with other people and in their best interest, we can use our God-given gifts as He has intended. However, connection with other people brings not only content and good fortune into our lives, but often problems, as well. When we do not know how we should act, we can remember from the Sermon on the Mount Jesus' advice known as the Golden Rule: “Whatsoever ye would that men should do unto you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets” (Matt. 7:12). We have a tendency to limit the circle to which our neighborly love extends. We are similar to the scribe, who asked Jesus, “Who is my neighbor?” (Luke 10:29). The person, who asked the question, probably had his own answer ready: his neighbors were the Jews, and the closest among them were those who followed the Mosaic Law as interpreted by the scribes and the Pharisees. The Gentiles, sinners, and publicans were left outside this man's love toward his neighbor. Jesus answered his question with the familiar parable of the Good Samaritan and concluded His teaching with the words, “Go and do thou likewise.” In His Sermon on the Mount, Jesus extended the love toward our neighbor to include even our enemies. In Luther's time, the Catholic Church had developed in such a way that spiritual and temporal life were separate from each other. Luther opposed justification by works, as well as shutting God out of temporal life. To him, the workday life had been intended and given by God. The concept of a continuously active God and a living, ever-present Christ characterized Luther's framework of thought. Luther's concept of Scripture rises from this foundation. To him, Creation and Redemption were not two separate matters, but he looked at Creation in the light of Redemption. Justification by faith is the foundation. When God justifies a person alone by faith, alone by grace, and alone by the merit of Christ, a person is freed to serve his neighbor. Faith is weighed by our everyday life. Work Is a God-Given Duty Work is a duty that God has given to man; therein He has hidden His blessing. Work includes responsibility, whether we do the work in someone's employ or as an independent entrepreneur. The greater our freedom, the greater our responsibility. Paul advised the Christians of his time, “Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ; not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart; with good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men” (Eph. 6:5-7). He continued, “Masters, give unto your servants that which is just and equal; knowing that ye also have a Master in heaven” (Col. 4:1). These admonitions from God's Word also apply to today's work life. We do not perform work only for our daily bread, but also because we serve our neighbors and are God's work companions, His subordinates, in governing this temporal world. To Luther, work was part of the calling. Because of the deep significance of work, unemployment is a difficult problem. Unemployment assistance only partially removes the detrimental effects of joblessness. However, there is reason to remember that our worth as a person is not measured by how productive we are or how great an income our work produces. If we think incorrectly in this, we do not remember that, in Jesus' parable, the servants each received a different number of talents. Even when unemployed, we can do beneficial work and work in the calling that God gives. Education Is a Gift From God We live in an education-minded society. Earlier, education was the privilege of only a few and the period for education was strictly limited. When one's education ended, the student was ready for his vocation, which he practiced until he retired. It is different now. An education is everyone's right, more time is used in getting it, and it is continuing. Because of the changes in society, and production, new duties and vocations are born, and, at the same time, the old vocations may become obsolete. Retraining is necessary. It is not self-evident that everyone experiences education as a gift and a privilege. Sometimes, it may feel that it is a waste of time and a hindrance. One may want to get straight to work to earn money to fulfill needs and hopes that seem so important. Such thinking is shortsighted. During our youth, studying is often the work and duty that God has intended for us. Through it, we obtain the knowledge and skills which we will need later. We cannot measure an education's value only by how well-paying a job we can get with it. Even if earnings do not grow, education broadens our intellectual horizons and enriches our lives. When I think of my own life and studies, it is almost humorous to note that the so-called professional subjects have provided me only limited benefit. Instead, the liberal arts courses have been many times more beneficial to me than I thought in my youth. I regret my laziness in studying foreign languages. Study also brings out the varied gifts of different measure that God has given us. Responsibility increases with one's gifts. If we have received abundantly, we do not have reason to be proud, for the gifts have been given by God. If we feel that we have received fewer gifts, they also can be developed. God has not left anyone without gifts, nor has anyone received too few gifts. It doesn't pay to leave our gifts unused, in other words, it doesn't pay to bury our talent in the ground. Often, the place where we want to study does not open for us, although we may apply several times. It is difficult to be satisfied with this and to apply elsewhere. It is difficult to give up dreams, especially when they are genuine and well-founded. Even in these situations, it is good to remember that God leads our lives in more detail than we notice. I have experienced this, myself. When I have understood the matter in retrospect, there has been reason to thank God for the doors that He has closed, and for those that He has opened. When the master arrived, he called the servants to account for themselves. Those, who had taken care of their talents in the manner that the master intended, were called to His joy. On the other hand, that servant, who had hidden his talent in the ground, lost that too. The parable makes us accountable for the use of our own gifts. Responsibility and accountability are matters that can easily oppress us. We feel that we have neglected the care of the talents entrusted to us. The correct care of the talents is the same as bearing fruit. So that we would understand what is under consideration, we have reason to remember the teaching of Jesus about the vine and its branches, “Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me” (John 15:4). The question is not that we be skilled and accomplish much, but that we would be partakers of Christ through faith. When we can remain as living branches in Christ, the Vine, God can accomplish His own purpose in our lives. Even for us it becomes true what Paul said of his activities as a worker in God's kingdom and as the apostle to the Gentiles, “Yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me” (1 Cor. 15:10). The reward, which the master gives his servants, is the reward of grace.

Juhani Uljas | 2000 The Treasure Hidden In a Field -- Respect for matrimony has crashed in our time. The reason for this has been the general detachment from that set of values whose foundations are in God's Word. At the same time, man has become a shirker of responsibility, a hedonist, and a seeker after his own benefit. In this type of world, a person thinks he doesn't need the security and order in his life that Christian marriage provides. In the congregation of Christ, the concepts of marriage and family have remained unchanged on a scriptural foundation. Living in this world, however, we are in continual contact with values that oppose the values of God's Word, and they find a sympathetic response in our sin-corrupt hearts. Many persons ponder matters relative to marriage and ask, “Has God really said that?” Courting and Engagement When a child grows into youth, an attraction toward the opposite sex awakens. This is a result of the fact that God created people as male and female. There is nothing wrong and no reason to prevent the attraction of girls to boys and boys to girls. But our time has so overemphasized sexuality, that youth is stripped from many children, and they do not have the opportunity to grow to responsible adulthood. Patience in this area of life is not characteristic of our time, rather one should be able to experience everything immediately. Thus, many are driven into loose human relationships of short duration. Actually, a recently published study indicates that the situation among young people is not as gloomy as one would conclude on the basis of public discussions, literature, and magazines. Young people get to know each other in life's normal environment. It is completely natural that believing young people seek their future spouse where they meet each other-at services, camps, and opistos (folk schools). It is a precious matter when one finds his life-companion from among the believing young people. It is good to get to know each other in the everyday environment. In this way, one is spared from many sad surprises. Courting is directed toward marriage, so light-minded “flirting” is not appropriate for a believer. In such there is no question of love, or even of infatuation, but of selfish momentary pleasure, which causes sorrow and tears to the courting companion. The matter in consideration is serious enough, that a person who has fallen into this has reason to examine his heart and the foundations of his faith. Courting, above all, is getting to know one another. When courting companions discuss matters openly, they come to know each other. In this manner, it becomes clear if, on life's important issues, they have such mutual understanding that would form a foundation for lifelong marriage. Many have said that during courtship, especially, they discussed matters of faith. When they noticed that they had a similar understanding about the most important things, it drew them closer and united them. If courting becomes too close physically, the intellectual or emotional familiarization, openness, and closeness suffer. In this way, the courtship is impoverished. When the young people have become well acquainted and convinced that it is they whom God has intended to join as helpmates for each other, they become engaged. Scripture scarcely speaks of courtship, because, in its culture, parents selected spouses for their children through a spokesman. Engagement makes the courtship public. It makes known to everyone that the engaged couple intends to marry. Scripture discusses engagement at length. It is used to describe the covenant between Christ and those who believe in Him. Paul reminds the Corinthians that he had served as a spokesman for them, “I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ” (2 Cor. 11:2). Like this biblical description, the engaged couple promises to be faithful to each other as they await the wedding, the beginning of married life. Although young people court each other with the right attitude and even get engaged, it can happen that they do not become a married couple. It can become clear, little by little, they are not suited to each other. Separation is painful, but it is not wrong. It is still possible to separate amicably, respecting one another. This possibility no longer exists in marriage. In spite of the fact that young people court each other with serious intentions, things can happen to them that may remain as burdens on their consciences. “The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” If this takes place, it is good to remember, that there is an open fountain in God's congregation for sin and for defilement (Zech. 13:1). It is good if the courting couple together would discuss matters with the confessor. God Instituted Marriage “So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them. And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful and multiply, and replenish the earth” (Gen. 1:27,28). Scripture relates how mankind was created in God's image as man and woman. Both are crucial to human existence. We are responsible to God and created to live together with each other. Unity is realized most deeply between spouses. The description of Creation illustrates this, “Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh” (Gen. 2:24). The relationship between a man and a woman includes both emotional and physical unity. The woman was created to be a helpmeet for the man (Gen. 2:18). I have read that the Hebrew word in question means “help that is facing you.” Spouses are equals and can examine themselves in each other as in a mirror. Their mutual life contains the whole richness of life. Because of the fall into sin, however, it can never be realized as illustrated in the Creation narrative. For that reason, we need the gospel, which is the great treasure and source of strength of a believing home. Marriage Is Lifelong The Pharisees came to Jesus to argue about divorce and referred to Moses, who had allowed a man to write a bill of divorcement to put away his wife (Deut. 24:1). Then Jesus answered, “For the hardness of your heart he wrote you this precept. But from the beginning of the creation God made them male and female. For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and cleave to his wife; and they twain shall be one flesh: so then they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder” (Mark 10:5-9). Therefore, although the courts may grant a divorce and, in this manner, undo a covenant that was once made, the marriage shall still remain in force before the face of God. Already, during the Old Testament, Prophet Malachi rebuked the people for breaking their marriages (Mal. 2:14-16). According to Matthew, in Jesus' discussion with the Pharisees, He allowed divorce because of adultery (Matt. 5:31-32). Luther discusses this matter in his writing regarding marriage. He points out that adultery is a sin onto death. According to Mosaic Law, a person who broke the marriage vows was to be stoned to death (Lev. 20:10). On the other hand, however, Jesus did not approve the stoning of an adulteress (John 8:3-11), but forgiveness was greater than the Law. A couple of decades ago, divorce was discussed at length at a speakers' meeting. At that time, the speaker-brothers held to the above mentioned quotation from the Gospel of Mark. Marriage is lifelong: what God has joined, let not man put asunder. This does not lessen the seriousness of the sin of adultery, but provides an opportunity for a person to return, repent, and receive forgiveness for a grievous transgression. Luther's Teachings on Matrimony Luther did not consider matrimony to be a sacrament in the manner of the Catholic Church. He also fought against celibacy for the clergy and considered the vows of monks and nuns to be against God's will. In his manuscript, “On Matrimony,” he states that God's Word, “Be fruitful and multiply,” is not a commandment, but a godly deed. Obstructing or neglecting it is not within our power. It is just as unavoidable as that a man is in existence, and more unavoidable than eating and drinking, keeping one's body clean, sleeping or staying awake. It is nature planted into a person. Luther continues later, “The world says of matrimony: 'short joy, long regret.' But say what it wishes, for what God creates and wills, that is an object for it to mock.…Solomon says, 'Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing'” (Prov. 18:22). They who understand this, firmly believe that God has instituted matrimony, put man and woman together, and ordained the bearing and care of children. They have God's Word regarding this (Gen. 1:28). Luther writes in the Large Catechism that the Sixth Commandment has been directed especially toward those who are married. “Let us carefully note, first, how highly God honors and glorifies the married life, sanctioning and protecting it by his commandment. He sanctioned it above in the fourth commandment, 'You shall honor father and mother; but here, as I said, he has secured it and protected it. Therefore he also wishes us to honor, maintain, and cherish it as a divine and blessed estate. Significantly he established it as the first of all institutions, and he created man and woman differently (as is evident) not for lewdness but to be true to each other, be fruitful, beget children, and support and bring them up to the glory of God.” The Everyday Characteristics of Marriage In marriage, couples continue to learn the art of living together throughout their lives. As selfishness is part of our nature, it does not naturally follow that two persons will adapt to living together “as one flesh.” In everyday life's many forms, the dissimilarities of the spouses are felt. Difficulties also are encountered there. When differences of opinion arise and arguments raise their heads, it is easy to forget what was once promised “before the face of God and in the presence of the congregation.” “Who's the boss at our house?” is a vain and wrong question. It is the same question that the disciples presented, “Who is greatest among us?” By saying, “The Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister” (Mark 10:45), Jesus set himself as the example for the disciples, who were quarreling about their positions. Scripture counsels, “Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body. Therefore, as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing” (Eph. 5:22-24). In the same manner, Scripture counsels, “Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it (Eph. 5:25). This advice shifts the question of authority and of station aside. Serving each other replaces it. In speaking of the husband being the head of the wife, the Greek New Testament uses the same word as the point of a plow, which receives the bumps and the blows when cultivating. The word, which is often referred to, now receives broader content. To be the head means to protect and support. Both spouses have their own duties determined by gender. However, we cannot make a pattern that, as such, would adapt to every marriage. The pattern of living in a home is determined by the weaknesses and strengths of the members of the home. The most important thing is that they compete in honoring one another (Rom. 12:10). Conservative Laestadian families are often known for their numerous children. Probably no other factor connected to our lives or teachings has drawn so much attention from outsiders. In this matter, we also experience heavy pressure from the world. Scripture does not teach family planning, but it guides us to regard children as God's gifts (Ps. 127:3-5). When He created man and woman, God said, “Multiply, and replenish the earth” (Gen. 1:28). The understanding of the believers in this matter is based on God's Word. We think as Luther did, “I believe that God has created me and all other creatures.” Children bring difficulties and work to the family, but also God's rich blessing. Life feels worth living, when it has the content that God intended. The Great Mystery of Marriage When he gave advice to spouses, Paul compared matrimony to the fellowship of Christ and His congregation. These analogies to submission, faithfulness, and all-sacrificing love strip us of our false notions of personal privilege, selfish entitlement, and success. On the other hand, they give the foundations to marriage that will last through changing times and amid turmoil. They give marriage a special sanctity and join the spouses more closely, as well as bring the gospel of the glory of Christ to everyday trials and temptations. In a believing home, there is an open fountain against sin and defilement. The believing home is God's kingdom in miniature and a part of the large family of God.