Whenever Jesus begins by saying “Beware” it’s best you sit up and listen. Beware means to be on guard; to get your attention. “Beware” means a warning is about to be spoken. Ignore it at your own risk. One occasion was the sermon on the mount. Jesus said, “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves” (Matt. 7:15).
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The noted German novel Steppenwolf (1927) has a foreboding line in it: “There are times when a whole generation gets caught to such an extent between two eras, two styles of life, that nothing comes naturally to it since it has lost all sense of morality, security, and innocence.” Though describing the plight and lament of the story’s protagonist, I think it’s also descriptive of our time. We live when the morality, style of life, and security of one era is fading into the morality and lifestyle of an emerging era. Nothing seems natural anymore. For many, this causes anxiety, unrest, and anything but a feeling of security.
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“All things should be done decently and in order” (1 Cor. 14:40). There was disorder and confusion among the early Christians at Corinth, especially during their times of worship. That’s why the Apostle Paul gives some simple direction for how the church is to organize herself and conduct her life.
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“That may be true for you, but it is not true for me.” It’s a common phrase heard among people in our culture today. Truth has fallen on hard times. It echoes what Pilate said to Jesus while on trial: “So you are a king then?” He was trying to determine if Jesus was indeed a king. Jesus responds, “For this purpose I was born and for this purpose I have come into the world—to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice.” Pilate said to him, “What is truth?” (John 19:37-38)
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“Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life” (Rev. 2:10b). The Apostle John heard these words of Jesus to the Church of Smyrna in His heavenly vision. They are a call to faithfulness amid a culture hostile to faith. They are fitting words for Christians of all times, but certainly for us. At all times we are called to discipleship—to repent of our sins and to live out our faith according to our daily stations of life.
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Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Lenten greetings to you in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, our Suffering Servant.
I write you with an important update which impacts our religious liberty in the State of Minnesota. Please be sure to read through this entire letter and watch the attached video.
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