Greetings from Faith Lutheran Church in Eldorado.
In our scripture readings from this last Sunday, we read St. Paul's words to the Ephesians, exhorting them to walk as "children of light." (5:8)
Some members of Ephesus were at one time pagan, following the lust of the world and slipping back into a broad spectrum of problems, i.e., sexual immorality, foolish talk and coarse joking. They were failing to fear, love and trust in God above all things and love their neighbors as themselves.
Sin never puts God or our neighbors first. It always tramples on them. Sin is all about me, myself and I. Our sinful nature will attempt to justify the evil we do instead of confessing it. It will downplay the severity of our action, claim privacy, accuse others of judging, or even outright defy anyone to call one's actions sin. It is not just blind to the truth, but refuses to accept it.
In our world today, we are confronted with temptations that would push us away from God and toward worldliness. Here is an example. A fellow Christian lady I know, who had lost her husband and was finally open to dating again, met a gentleman through one of those online dating sites. The first number of dates went well. She was then informed by some of her girlfriends that on the fifth date, she had to sleep with him. Everyone does it, they said. This disturbed her as she liked the man, but desired to live a Christian life. She sought the advice of my daughter, who rightly told her that one does not need to be pressured or bullied into sinning. She pointed out that the gentleman did not propose this; her girlfriends did. If he claims to be a Christian and someone who cares for her, he will not ask this. But if he does, she is to remind him of God's law and how both are to follow His will. Like St. Paul, she reminded her to live as a child of the light. She needed a fellow Christian to support her and assure her of the timeless truths of God's word.
As I do prison ministry with the youth, I asked them about dating. They said most young people sleep together on the third date, and some don't wait that long. The website, Ask Men, informs its readers that it is between the third and fifth dates that most couples sleep together. Unfortunately, that site condones sex before marriage.
St. Paul writes in Ephesians 5:14, "Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you."
It is through Christ that we stand against the temptations we face. He, through word and sacrament, enables us to walk as children of light. He sends fellow Christians to give guidance and proclaim to us forgiveness when we lose our way. May Christ shine on you in this world of darkness.
Lenten blessings, Pastor Otten.
