September 4, 2018 - WISHFUL THINKING

Day 247 - (Today’s Bible readings: September 4, 2018 Deuteronomy 16:18-17:20; Psalm 64; Luke 1:1-4)

“... when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with his mighty angels in flaming fire, inflicting vengeance on those who do not know God and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. They will suffer the punishment of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might, when he comes on that day to be glorified in his saints, and to be marveled at among all who have believed, because our testimony to you was believed.” (2 Thessalonians 1:7-10 ESV)

Wishful thinking is something most folks engage in on a regular basis. If your favorite team has done miserably for the first half of the season, it is wishful thinking to hope that they still have a chance of making it to the playoffs. Another example is the student who has not prepared for the big test. It is wishful thinking to hope to get an “A” on that test. While those cases are sad, they are not tragic.

However, there is one case of wishful thinking that is certainly tragic. “My god (yes “g”) wouldn’t send anyone to hell.” As hard as it is to consider, the fact remains that God does condemn sinners to hell.  Flaming fire, inflicting vengeance, and suffering the punishment of eternal destruction are the eternal facts for all and any who reject Christ Jesus as Savior and Lord.

I have met a number of wishful thinkers who deny that Jesus is the only way to heaven. They reason that since their god wouldn’t damn any one, it doesn’t matter what you believe.

But Jesus makes it so very clear: 

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”   (John 14:6 ESV)

Peter reveals this same clear message:

“And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12 ESV)

Lord Jesus, help me to always believe in You as the way, the truth, and the life. And help me to share this truth in a winsome way with everyone. In Your saving name.  Amen.

Pastor David Paape

“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (Psalm 119:105 ), is the theme for this three-year journey through the entire Old Testament once (the Psalms - twice yearly), and the New Testament twice. There will be daily readings from the O.T., Psalms and the N.T. Special days on the church calendar will be highlighted with appropriate readings. This calendar has been compiled by representatives of the Lutheran Church of Canada, the North American Lutheran Church and the Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod. Please click this link for the daily reading calendar:
https://blogs.lcms.org/2017/lcms-lcc-and-nalc-compile-three-year-schedule-of-daily-bible-readings  
Then scroll down to 2018 Bible Reading Calendar and download it if you so wish. The “assigned” daily readings will appear on a daily basis in this blog. May the Lord bless your meditation upon His precious life-giving Word!