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A message from President Johnson
As we travel through life, there are times when one Scripture verse becomes important to us for different reasons. Sometimes it’s a season of life; other times it’s a struggle that leads us to certain passages. Regardless of the cause, the Holy Spirit is always at work in and through the Word spoken into our lives. When I was a much younger man,
1 Peter 5:6 became very important to me: “Humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God...” Humble yourself; that is powerful stuff. Other Scriptures that have stuck with me at various times are Romans 8:1; 1Cor 9:19-22; Matthew 9:9-13; Matthew 9:35-38; and many others.
For the past 5 or so years, one Scripture reading has held a special place in my heart and mind, one that I often think about, meditate on, and try to apply in my life. That Scripture is Philippians 2:1-13. In this chapter, St. Paul tells us to have the same attitude in ourselves as was in Christ Jesus. In verses 1-4, he tells us, “Therefore if there is any encouragement in Christ, if there is any consolation of love, if there is any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and compassion, make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose. Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.”
Humility is a hallmark of Christ’s ministry among us. It is a hallmark of the work of salvation he wrought on our behalf. In humility, Christ - God of God, very God of very God, begotten, not made, being of one substance with the Father… humbled himself to the point of dying on a cross in the place of his enemies (Romans 5:10). St. Paul points us to Christ and calls us to a similar humility for the sake of Christ, his church, and the world, “with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves.” People are important. Other people are more important than me. Jesus said, “If anyone wishes to come after me, he must deny himself (say no to what you want), take up his cross and follow me.” (Matthew 16:24)
One of Christ's hallmarks, which some so often hate, is humility that loves an enemy to the point of dying in their place. St. Paul and Matthew tell us that humility that loves like Jesus is a hallmark of those who follow Jesus. This challenges me. I want to follow Jesus, but too often, most often, I do not love like Jesus. I very often do not regard others as more important than myself. Most of the time I do not say no to what I want. In fact, I am very much like St. Paul when he said, “For the good that I want, I do not do, but I practice the very evil that I do not want.” What then should we do? Do we give in to our base nature and practice our own form of self-righteousness? Do we despair of ever doing good and so stop trying? St. Paul also tells us, “Wretched man that I am! Who will set me free from the body of this death? Then, in his struggle, I like to picture him turning and looking toward heaven with eyes and heart uplifted; he says, “Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!” The next verse is one I mentioned earlier, Romans 8:1: “Therefore there is NOW no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” Praise God!!! I am free from performance, free from the Law, free from my sin and guilt because of the finished work of Christ Jesus! I am baptized! I belong to Jesus, and my sins are forgiven! Then, in the freedom of Christ, St. Paul can come to me and share that I am free in the Gospel to practice humility. I can practice putting others' needs ahead of my own. I can practice saying no to what I want, picking up my cross and following Jesus. WE fail, and when we fail, we have the sure and certain hope that as we confess our sins, Jesus is faithful and just to forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Because of Jesus the Christ, we are free in the Gospel to serve others in humility without fear. We are free to follow Jesus!!!
IMPORTANT NOTICES:
The Concordia Pastoral Desk Planners sponsored by Southern District CEF are ready to be mailed to you free of charge. If you received one last year- you are already on the list and need to do nothing unless you want to be dropped from the mailing list. If you are new to the Southern District or would like a Pastoral Desktop Planner for 2027, please send a brief e-mail to Director@southerncef.org with the name and address requesting one.
We need your help! Did you know Ed & Anna Burns? For many years, the District's books have reflected a significant balance described simply as "Burns Trust." There is no paperwork in District records or in Board minutes regarding the nature of this contribution from years ago, and we would like any information you can provide regarding these donors. So if you knew Ed & Anna Burns - and especially if you knew what their ministry interests were - please let us know! Just call or email Rochell at the District office, 985-635-4382 or r.kurucar@southernlcms.org and we will take any information you have regarding this faithful couple. Thanks for your help!
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