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I had the opportunity to give the morning devotion to our faculty and staff on our first day of school with all students returning. I couldn’t help but reflect with them on the enormous opportunity and privilege we have to explore God’s Word together each year and to grow stronger in the faith with the help of the Holy Spirit. My challenge to faculty, staff, and mostly to myself is not to take the opportunity of sharing our faith and God’s Word for granted, but rather to remember that the Lord’s Word never returns void (Isaiah 55:11) and the Holy Spirit works in and through each of us using His Word for His purposes.
During our Summit (faculty/staff preparations prior to school), we were reminded that God is a God of equipping. Our Key Leaders read Lead Like Christ by A.W. Tozer this past summer. Tozer reminded us several times throughout the book, “God does not call the equipped; rather, in His wisdom, God equips the called.” 2 Timothy 3:16-17 reminds us of this equipping, "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work." This is a good message and reminder for us and our children. If the world knew and believed this, we’d be in a much better place than we currently find ourselves.
“Christ is either Lord of all or is not Lord at all” is an excellent quote that puts into perspective the importance and magnitude of raising a child in a definitive belief and direction - the direction of Christ. The quote was used by American missionary S. A. Zwemer, at the turn of the 19th century, a missionary to convert those in the Muslim faith to Christ, and Hudson Taylor, a British missionary to China; either or both may have used it. Nonetheless, Ephesians 6:4 and Proverb 22:6 point to bringing up children in a specific way - the training and instruction of the Lord. Early Jewish Christians often referred to themselves as “The Way” (Isaiah 40:3).
This enormous opportunity may, at times, seem daunting, but it is imperative. In Judges, we can read how during the time that King Joshua ruled, the people of Israel served the Lord, but after Joshua’s death arose a generation that did not know the Lord or His mighty work (Judges 2:6-10). Have you ever heard the saying, “Christianity is only one generation away from extinction?” It may have come from this part of history captured by the Bible. Shame on us if we don’t make this an urgent matter - a matter of life and death, more importantly, a matter of eternal life.
Jesus Himself gives the marching orders related to the importance of this enormous opportunity, instruction, and making disciples of all, “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Although daunting, we have much hope and comfort knowing that Jesus is always with us! And He’s not alone; we remember we have a triune God, who is Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
Fear not, Saints; we are not alone in this endeavor. We have a Holy Helper in God’s Spirit that goes before us along with Christ. Martin Luther explains it this way. We are being called, called through His Word. Paul says, “To this, he called you through our gospel, so that you may obtain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ” (2 Thess. 2:13-15). The Holy Spirit gathers us into one holy Church, the communion of saints, the Body of Christ (Eph. 4:4–7). He enlightens dead hearts and blind eyes to recognize and receive their crucified and risen Savior (1 Cor. 2:6–16). Luther further elaborates upon this work of the Spirit in the Large Catechism: “The Holy Spirit reveals and preaches that Word, and by it he illumines and kindles hearts so that they grasp and accept it, cling to it, and persevere in it” (Large Catechism, II, III, 42). Finally, Luther says, the Spirit sanctifies us. He makes us holy. Sanctification, in a wider sense, refers to the entire work of the Spirit, from creating faith in us to helping us lead a devout life to bringing us to resurrection and eternal life. Just think, what an enormous opportunity, what an enormous blessing, Saints! Amen.
We pray: Most merciful Father, thank You for giving us the opportunity to read and teach Your Word. Allow us to make the most of every opportunity You have given us to tell of Your great love in Jesus Christ. Thank You that we are never alone and have the Holy Spirit to help us always. Thank You for Your amazing grace and love in giving Your Son Jesus! Amen.
Stay blessed, Saints!
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