We’re playing the wrong questions only game! 🎯
🤔Question: How can I use my religion to make me feel safe?
(If you ask a law question, expect a law answer. ⚖️ Any question that includes phrases such as “What can I do?” is a law question.)
It’s the opposite of faith because faith doesn't look to self; it looks to Jesus. ✝️
Faith looks to God for every good gift, including safety.🛡️
God, the creator, takes care of everything. 🌍
Relying on political parties or self-help methods can turn into idolatry. 🏛️📚
We start turning the gifts and blessings from God into idols. ⚠️
(It’s why prosperity teachers make so much money, and so many people follow them. 💸)
God gives us gifts we see and can't see… 🌟
🛡️He defends us from all evil
🚧He protects us when we don’t even know we’re in danger
False teaching tells us he does it because… 🚫
✔️ We did something good
📖 We’ve been reading the Bible
⛪ We’ve been going to church
He doesn’t do it because of any merit or righteousness in us. ❌
➡️The Truth: You know Christ loves you because he died for you, and that’s what you get to measure safety against. ❤️✝️
Even the bad news is good news because of Jesus. 💖
Jesus promises peace through his presence, not through a lack of trials. 🕊️
Even death has been conquered through Christ. ⚰️✝️
"If God is for us, who can be against us?" (Rom. 8:31) ✨
In the face of trials, Jesus calls us to run to the cross (where He comes to us).🏃
The peace God gives you is the forgiveness of sins. 🤝
Safety is not rooted in having enough good things or too few bad things. 💎💔
It’s rooted in a present God FOR YOU. 🌟
When we experience suffering, remember that it too has a purpose. 🌱
Rejoice in the life of faith that looks not to ourselves, but to the gifts of the Holy Spirit — where He forgives your sins and washes you clean. 💧
Contributor Marsh Shamburger is Pastor of Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Rocklin, CA.
Contributor Rev. Harrison Goodman is the Higher Things Content Executive.
#higherthings #lcms #lutheran #jesus
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