Grace Notes 2025-02-12

When it comes to evangelistic outreach, Luther’s explanation to the Third Article of the Creed is important for us. The first part of it is: “I believe that I cannot by my own reason or strength believe in Jesus Christ, my Lord, or come to Him; but the Holy Spirit has called me by the Gospel, enlightened me with His gifts, sanctified and kept me in the true faith.”

Note the agent in bringing someone to saving faith. It is God the Holy Spirit. And pay close attention to the chief means for the work of the Holy Spirit. It is the preaching and teaching of the Gospel. And implied in the ‘enlightened’ and ‘sanctified’ are the Sacraments of Baptism and Holy Communion.

The work is not primarily ours! That does not mean we do not play a role. But it is a supportive one. The Gospel is preached and taught, and the sacraments are administered through human agency. Here faithfulness matters. We are messengers and agents, not marketers, advertisers, technicians, and innovators.

We call ill afford to trade faithfulness for success, truth for relevancy, learning for feelings, and transformation for affirmation. The problem with success as a measure is that there are plenty of ways to increase numbers without real conversion and discipleship. As one Pastor put it, it is not enough to merely “count nickels and noses”. The problem with making too much of emotions is that our feelings are fickle, while God’s promises are rock solid. The problem with affirmation, “come as you are”, is that we must come as sinners in need of the redemptive and transformative power of the Gospel.

None of what I have said discounts the Biblical injunction to show hospitality, compassion, and conviction. We are to meet people where they are, both literally and figuratively, as good listeners. But beware of uncritically altering or tampering with God’s means for evangelizing.

Since You Asked…

What is the purpose and meaning of our Votive Prayer Candles?

To “light a candle for someone” means that you will say a prayer for them. The candle symbolizes your prayers. When we light a candle it is a sign of attentiveness and that we are being purposeful in offering intercessory prayer. It is an important act in which we are involved! To be in prayer is to be spiritually awake and vigilant.

And as the candle continues to burn it symbolizes our ongoing prayers. It is a sign to others that prayers are being offered. In such an atmosphere, indeed the darkness gives way to light.