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Fall in love with God’s Word

As Lutherans we value Scripture, but how much time do we really spend reading it?

The phone rang in my office. The voice said, “I’m looking for a Lutheran church.”

That’s a rare thing to hear in Tulsa. My heart raced: “We’re a Lutheran church! How can I help you?”

He answered, “I’m looking for a Lutheran church to donate all my Lutheran books.”

Huh?

I met with the man and heard his story. He was an atheist for years, but when he decided to study all the major world religions, God used his Word to convince him that Christianity is true. He then began to study Christian denominations: Methodist, Lutheran, Catholic, and Greek Orthodox. He went deep. He ordered and read as many books as he could.

I was amazed. “What do you think of Lutherans?” I asked.

He said, “I loved reading Martin Luther’s writings. I have never heard of someone so in love with God’s Word. I loved his devotional approach to every part of Scripture and how God’s Word was part of his daily life in every way.”

“That’s great,” I said. “So you want to be a Lutheran, right?”

“No,” he said. “I don’t want to be a Lutheran, because Lutherans aren’t like that anymore. The Lutherans I know and the Lutheran churches I’ve visited aren’t like Martin Luther at all. People don’t read God’s Word anymore. The focus at church seems more like a country club than a church. Lutherans today don’t love God’s Word like Martin Luther did. So I’m not going to be a Lutheran. I want to donate all my Lutheran books to your church.”

My heart sank. Not just because he wasn’t going to join our church but because he was right. At least, he was right about me. His words convicted me because I immediately thought of how little I read the Bible. Of how often I’m too busy doing important pastor things instead of sitting and reading the Word of God. “Lutherans today don’t love God’s Word like Martin Luther did.” That’s true for me. Is it true for you?

As we celebrate the Reformation this month, let’s go back to our roots. Let’s do the most Lutheran thing in the world: Read God’s Word! Today. Tomorrow. The next day. Wouldn’t it be great if people could  describe us like that man described Martin Luther? “I’ve never seen people so in love with God’s Word!”

Of course, that love for the Word did not start with Martin Luther. It’s everywhere in the Bible. Read Psalm 119 today. It’s long—176 verses! Notice that the author mentions a synonym for God’s Word in all the verses except verse 122. God’s Word was so precious—so special—to him. “How can a young person stay on the path of purity? By living according to your word. . . . I delight in your decrees; I will not neglect your word” (Psalm 119:9,16). I will not neglect your Word!

In the busyness of life, read God’s Word and find God’s strength for another day. In the darkness of depression, read God’s Word and hear of God’s never-ending love for you. Under the weight of guilt, read God’s Word and remember how the blood of Jesus already forgave you. In the face of death, read God’s Word and long for the glory of heaven.

Let’s go back to our Lutheran roots. Let’s fall in love with God’s Word.

Author: Nathan Nass
Volume 109, Number 10
Issue: October 2022

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