Daily Lectionary: Isaiah 34:1-2, 8-35:10; Revelation 6:1-17
"Moreover it is required in stewards that one be found faithful.” (1 Corinthians 4:2)
Can I confess my churchly fears to you again? I promise, this is the last time. There are those who would not judge me to be a good pastor. I suppose it all started when I took my first call to a church in inner city Baton Rouge. I was told
"Your job is either to lead this church in a whole new direction, or bring it to realize that it is time to close its doors." Then: "I suspect what needs to happen is the latter of the two."
Well, that person was right. After 10 years, we took what we had and merged with the Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd, where my dear brother, Rev. Dr. Paul Anderson, serves as pastor. I thought that was great. Our churches were a wonderful match for each other. But I have heard from one pastor here in New Orleans that a couple of his members believe I killed that church. Though membership had been in decline for years, leaving behind a small, aged band of loyal Lutherans, if only I would have been more open, creative, winsome and dynamic — I could have saved that church! But, I am none of those things. All I can claim is that I have Jesus and His Word.
What comfort I take from Sunday's epistle! "But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged by you or by a human court. In fact, I do not even judge myself. For I know of nothing against myself, yet I am not justified by this; but He Who judges me is the Lord" (1 Corinthians 4:3-4).
You, too, take comfort in that. Others may judge you, finding you lacking in many ways. So what? Let that be a very small thing to you. You don't even judge yourself anymore — God judges you. And, in Jesus, God sets aside the measuring judgment of His law. He now judges you this way: as well pleasing in His sight, a doer of His law. What forgiveness and life!
The world will always judge you based upon results that it can measure. "And, of course," it says, "God expects such results." Well, do you have them? Let that be a very small thing for you. Jesus did more than enough for you. And that's how God judges you, now. Good enough, well-pleasing in His sight, because of Jesus. That's forgiveness. And that's life!
Let results be God's worry. You just keep at it. Do your best. Try to achieve. Keep at your homework. Obey your parents. Do your chores. Help out at church. But do all that in faith. what I mean is to do all of that trusting in Jesus. He is the reason God justifies you, accepts you, calls you His own and delights in you. Results aside, Jesus is why God thinks you're special — even if no one else does. The Word promises you that. Baptism and the Supper confirm that. Let that be a very large thing for you. That's being faithful!