An Unnatural Faith, by Kari Anderson of the CLCC

(This is one of our regular columns from the CLCC — Confessional Lutherans for Christ’s Commission)

I have been thinking lately about why our faith is so difficult to keep pure in a truly confessional way. I think the Lutheran faith is absolutely the most unnatural faith there is. As sinful human beings, it’s natural to think we need to contribute something to our salvation. The devil always is ready to convince us you can’t get something for nothing. That’s the way the world works. That is generally true in the left hand kingdom, but needs to be completely rejected in the right.

Falling away from the true faith has gone on all through history. Whether you talk about people in the Old Testament, the New Testament, or all the other ages in history since then, it’s amazing how God keeps drawing His people back to the truth.

Councils have met at times to write creeds, and try to stop false doctrine from creeping in. The Lutheran Confessions are a great blessing God has given to us. We have a number of different confessional writings that are supposed to help keep us walking in the truth. But, alas, the devil still is constantly trying to mislead and deceive us into not following our articles of faith.

A pastor asked me recently if I thought that Lutherans have read the Confessions in years past. Now, maybe not too many did, but life was simpler in those days. Lutherans worshiped the same every Sunday, or at least nearly so. They lived their lives surrounded by more people of the same faith, because small communities were formed with people of that faith. All the different media weren’t available. (Now, there were some revivals that passed through, but they would have been warned of their danger by their shepherds.)

The Confessions are there for us to educate ourselves. The Lutheran Confessions or Symbolical Books of the Evangelical Lutheran Church are a true and unadulterated statement and exposition of the Word of God. They keep us from straying so we don’t get caught up in the newest fad. It’s a good time in history to read both the Scriptures and the Lutheran Confessions to help keep us in our faith. Our faith was given to us as a precious gift, “but the devil is always prowling around looking for someone to devour.”(1 Peter 5:8). So, stay anchored in the Word, and let the Lutheran Confessions keep you on the straight and narrow way.

Confessional Lutherans for Christ’s Commission (CLCC) wants to help you on your way. We are conducting seminars that can help keep you anchored. Our motto is “Anchored in the Word and the Lutheran Confessions”. Come and join us.

In Christ,
Kari Anderson, Public Relations for the CLCC

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