February 28, 2024
Dear Friends,
The Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments are the pure, clear fountain of Israel.1 That’s how our Lutheran forefathers described their commitment to being led and governed by the Bible.
It is a powerful image because everyone knows the difference between clean and dirty water. Indeed, everyone knows how little dirt it takes to foul up some water.
The Scriptures are the very voice of our Shepherd. Jesus is the Word incarnate, and so the Scriptures are the Son of God speaking to us. That is an incredible and saving truth. In the Bible, we hear the Gospel – Christ died and rose for us – and it is not like so many opinions or conjectures. It is fact, more solid and certain than the blueness of the sky or the pull of gravity.
It’s also a powerful image because you know the uses of water. Among other things, it can cleanse you and quench your thirst. “On that day there shall be a fountain opened for the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, to cleanse them from sin and uncleanness” (Zech. 13:1). “Come, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters!” (Isa. 55:1).
Of course, for both cleaning and drinking, you want pure water. At the very least, given the choice between pure water and dirty water, everyone would choose the pure water. It’s obvious and natural.
So it is with God’s Word. He has given to us a pure, clear fountain for washing away our sins and quenching our thirst for righteousness. His Scriptures run continuous and refreshing with just the water we need for life.
Unfortunately, many churches take this pure, clear fountain and they sully it with false teaching. Whether it is softening the threats of God’s Law, subjecting God’s promises to the limits of human reason, changing or leaving out this or that passage or phrase or word – it all amounts to dirtying the pure water that we so desperately need.
Among the most common false teachings in our day are claims like: sin isn’t really so bad (God made me this way!), grace isn’t really a free gift (you must do something to earn it!), water and bread and wine can’t save you (how ridiculous to eat and drink Jesus’ body and blood or to wash your sins away with water!).
All of these are grievous errors and they take the clear, pure fountain of Israel and run it through muck and filth before it gets to you.
That is why it matters where you go to church – it matters the kind of water you’re drinking and washing with. It’s easy to imagine that as long as it’s water, it’s okay. That is, as long as a church has the Bible and uses Bible words, it must be good. Indeed, there may be many good things and many Christians in a church that teaches falsehood. Nonetheless, the question remains: given the choice between pure water and dirty water, which would you choose? Or, how many lies are you willing to tolerate? Or how far do you think you can stray from the voice of your Shepherd before you can’t hear it anymore?
Every Christian must take stock and go to a church where God’s Word is preached and taught in its purity. That’s the test for Concordia. It’s never ultimately a matter of appeal or tone or mood or sentiment. The question is: are we drawing water straight from the pure, clear fountain?
I thank God for our Lutheran forefathers and our forebears in this place who struggled against the temptation to dirty the water and have handed over to us an inheritance that rests firmly on the certain words of Jesus. He is our only hope and salvation!
God bless and keep you,
Pr. Buchs
- Formula of Concord, “The Comprehensive Summary, Foundation, Rule, and Norm”, 3.
COMING EVENTS:
Wednesday, February 28
9:30 am – Chapel
10:00 am – Bible Study
6:00 pm – Small Catechism Bible Study
7:00 pm – Evening Prayer (Midweek Lenten Service)
Sunday, March 3
9:00 am – Divine Service
10:30 am – Sunday School/Bible Study
Wednesday, March 6
9:30 am – Chapel
10:00 am – Bible Study
6:00 pm – Small Catechism Bible Study
7:00 pm – Evening Prayer (Midweek Lenten Service)