The title comes from the godliest man I know—a pastor in the Lutheran church. I admire and respect him, having been his parishioner and witnessing his loving care and instruction of his flock over the years. He taught me much about the liturgy and the history of what we do in the church. He is also very well-versed in ancient languages, always providing deeper insight through his teaching. Recently, we discussed admonitions and commands in the New Testament.
Throughout the Gospels and the Epistles, many things are discussed about how we ought to live as Christians; however, I have long struggled with the fact that many pastors seem to shy almost entirely away from these discussions. This pastor responded that “Law and Gospel have broken many Lutheran pastors’ brains.” And it’s not just Lutherans who struggle with this.
Growing up, I often wondered why we even needed to go to church. The preaching frequently made me feel like I was just good to go. Not forgiven, no, that’s not what I’m saying. I said good to go. Meaning it didn’t matter how I lived because I had my “get out of jail” free card. Why, then, should I attend church every Sunday? I wrestled with this from a young age. I was told it was to receive God’s body and blood, the forgiveness of sins, and to hear God’s Word. However, the Gospel was often proclaimed without any sense of the law, and therefore, my sinful nature didn’t see the weekly need for those gifts through the church body. It was just an empty command by those around me.
“I can ask for forgiveness at home as I’m playing in the backyard. I’ve received his sacrament before, and nowhere does it say I have to partake in that every single Sunday. I’ve had it before, and that’s good enough. I can read God’s Word on my own, too. And really, when all is said and done, I’m saved anyway. Even if I choose to sin, I’m being told that doesn’t really matter and will be forgiven.” I battled those thoughts for years as a young person. On the one hand, it made no sense that this was what we were called to—no sense that sin was not a big deal— but on the other hand, that seemed to be the message. Why should I make the effort to attend church if that is the case?
Obviously, I was in deep error in those years, and I did not know my Scripture well. But that is the point. Many people do not read their Bibles, even though they should. The understanding of their depravity, the knowledge of the Christian life and good works, and the good news of their salvation only being through Jesus Christ—all of it, the whole package, needs to be found within the preaching and teaching of the church.
This has become a problem not only within the Lutheran church but in many church bodies. An ever-increasing number of American preachers seem to believe that speaking about how we should live will lead to accusations of preaching works righteousness. Catholics swing the pendulum to the other extreme, pressuring Christians to prove they are saved by their deeds and lifestyle, never truly guaranteeing that they actually are.
It’s easier, then, to avoid the topic. But discussing how we ought to live is what causes us to realize how desperately we need the Lord in every breath we take.
Understanding what a pious life is helps us realize how depraved we truly are and that we need Christ to change us. It also prevents us from hardening our hearts and shows us the specific way we should go.
While it is healthy to fear the abominable heresy of works righteousness, it is not, in fact, a good reason to avoid the necessary discussions and the admonitions which our sinful nature requires and which fill the New Testament.
To pastors, I would ask, do you want to know one great way to draw families to the church? Preach also about the reality that they’re seeing and experiencing, just as St. Paul did. What do I mean? Don’t be afraid to talk about what sin is doing to them and their children. They see the damage and effects of sin and their choices, they feel that emptiness, and they battle despair. They’re in the middle of the struggle, and on some level, most Christians realize this. But they don’t understand the Christian path. Many Christians know that Christ died for their sins, but they don’t know what that means for their lives right now.
They don’t understand what open sin is doing to them or how to do spiritual battle against the enemy with the Word of God. It’s like seeing a light ahead but stumbling around in the darkness, banging into everything imaginable as you move toward it. Families need guidance on how to navigate this life, and it’s no coincidence that the apostles spent a great deal of time helping people do just that in the Epistles.
To parents, I want to encourage you to attend church. Find a good church and go. It will not be perfect; no church is. And usually, the longer you’re at a church, the more you realize the problems within it. But you need it more than you realize. St. Paul commanded us not to give up meeting together, and he does so for a reason.[1]
The reason isn’t to be a party pooper and make you get up early on Sunday morning. The reason isn’t so you can feel like you’re hanging out with 100 of your best friends. It’s to give you good gifts. You will be strengthened and encouraged by attending a God-fearing church. You will benefit in ways you can’t fully understand or imagine right now. Your life will change because of a good church—not magically or financially— but spiritually. Your faith will be nourished and grow in that environment.
I want to thank the godly pastors in my life who have and continue to preach the fullness of the Scriptures. They fearlessly speak the truth, and they are a blessing to all the families they shepherd.
[1] Hebrews 10:25
