Saturday after Trinity XIII - Devotion in semi-Exile
Lection for Saturday after Trinity XIII
2 Chronicles 31:1-21 Philippians 4:1-23
On Thursday we began a look at the Smalkald Articles. The church has always had to defend truth against error, so these articles were written to defend that truth against those who would teach falsehood in the Church, and if possible, lead some astray. Of course, there are some who teach falsehood and lead others astray, doing so in a well-intentioned manner, never realizing that their teachings are in error.
There are times however, when subtle error is more dangerous that blatant and obvious error. Obvious falsehoods are easily recognized. If Satan were to stand before you displaying his evil (as is often depicted in places); flames licking up and down his body, pitchfork in his hand, horns upon his head, and a spiked tail, you would flee immediately.
Subtle falsehood however is actually how the father of lies tries to creep into the church, trying to lead people down a path where they are trusting in themselves instead of Christ. This is why Christ warns against them when He is teaching on the mount:
15 “Beware of the false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves. 16 You will know them by their fruits. Grapes are not gathered from thorn bushes nor figs from thistles, are they? 17 So every good tree bears good fruit, but the bad tree bears bad fruit. 18 A good tree cannot produce bad fruit, nor can a bad tree produce good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 So then, you will know them by their fruits.
21 “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter. 22 Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?’ 23 And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness.’ (Mt. 7:15-23)
It is important to understand that Jesus is declaring that there will be many who taught (prophesied) in the name of Jesus, cast out demons in the name of Jesus, and did miracles in the name of Jesus – of whom Jesus will declare on the last day that He NEVER knew them…and that what they did was practice lawlessness…and they will be spend eternity away from Christ. Yes, this means that some who claim to be Christians today will be suffering the torments of hell because of their false teachings (or that they followed false teaching).
With that in mind, correcting false teaching, and doing so by founding these articles on the clear Word of God revealed in Scripture, Luther wrote the Smalkald Articles.
Let us continue in them.
2 Chronicles 31:1-21 Philippians 4:1-23
On Thursday we began a look at the Smalkald Articles. The church has always had to defend truth against error, so these articles were written to defend that truth against those who would teach falsehood in the Church, and if possible, lead some astray. Of course, there are some who teach falsehood and lead others astray, doing so in a well-intentioned manner, never realizing that their teachings are in error.
There are times however, when subtle error is more dangerous that blatant and obvious error. Obvious falsehoods are easily recognized. If Satan were to stand before you displaying his evil (as is often depicted in places); flames licking up and down his body, pitchfork in his hand, horns upon his head, and a spiked tail, you would flee immediately.
Subtle falsehood however is actually how the father of lies tries to creep into the church, trying to lead people down a path where they are trusting in themselves instead of Christ. This is why Christ warns against them when He is teaching on the mount:
15 “Beware of the false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves. 16 You will know them by their fruits. Grapes are not gathered from thorn bushes nor figs from thistles, are they? 17 So every good tree bears good fruit, but the bad tree bears bad fruit. 18 A good tree cannot produce bad fruit, nor can a bad tree produce good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 So then, you will know them by their fruits.
21 “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter. 22 Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?’ 23 And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness.’ (Mt. 7:15-23)
It is important to understand that Jesus is declaring that there will be many who taught (prophesied) in the name of Jesus, cast out demons in the name of Jesus, and did miracles in the name of Jesus – of whom Jesus will declare on the last day that He NEVER knew them…and that what they did was practice lawlessness…and they will be spend eternity away from Christ. Yes, this means that some who claim to be Christians today will be suffering the torments of hell because of their false teachings (or that they followed false teaching).
With that in mind, correcting false teaching, and doing so by founding these articles on the clear Word of God revealed in Scripture, Luther wrote the Smalkald Articles.
Let us continue in them.
As you will see, at this time in the church's history, at least there was no controversy in the Church as to God and the persons of the Trinity. Today that is not so true...some Churches claim that we cannot know much about God, some even claim that Jesus was actually a woman. (Yeah, I told you that there was damning falsehood being taught by those who claim to be ministers in Christ's Church...wolves in sheep's clothing, indeed!!!)
THE FIRST PART
Treats of the Sublime Articles Concerning the Divine Majesty, as:
I. That Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, three distinct persons in one divine essence and nature, are one God, who has created heaven and earth.
II. That the Father is begotten of no one; the Son of the Father; the Holy Ghost proceeds from Father and Son.
III. That not the Father nor the Holy Ghost but the Son became man.
IV. That the Son became man in this manner, that He was conceived, without the cooperation of man, by the Holy Ghost, and was born of the pure, holy [and always] Virgin Mary. Afterwards He suffered, died, was buried, descended to hell, rose from the dead, ascended to heaven, sits at the right hand of God, will come to judge the quick and the dead, etc., as the Creed of the Apostles, as well as that of St. Athanasius, and the Catechism in common use for children, teach.
THE FIRST PART
Treats of the Sublime Articles Concerning the Divine Majesty, as:
I. That Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, three distinct persons in one divine essence and nature, are one God, who has created heaven and earth.
II. That the Father is begotten of no one; the Son of the Father; the Holy Ghost proceeds from Father and Son.
III. That not the Father nor the Holy Ghost but the Son became man.
IV. That the Son became man in this manner, that He was conceived, without the cooperation of man, by the Holy Ghost, and was born of the pure, holy [and always] Virgin Mary. Afterwards He suffered, died, was buried, descended to hell, rose from the dead, ascended to heaven, sits at the right hand of God, will come to judge the quick and the dead, etc., as the Creed of the Apostles, as well as that of St. Athanasius, and the Catechism in common use for children, teach.
Concerning these articles there is no contention or dispute, since we on both sides confess them. Therefore it is not necessary now to treat further of them.
Comments