Church thoughts

I have tried very hard to hold off on making any comments here concerning the crisis in the Anglican branch of the Church today. I will make these few comments here tonight.

The Church is not about us--it is about Jesus. We are to receive Him, draw close to Him, and serve Him with our whole lives. He is the unique God-Man, the only way to be saved. He fulfilled all the prophecies of the Old Testament concerning the Messiah. He lived a sinless life, one of simplicity and compassion. He died for our sins and was raised from the dead for our justification. As far as people in other world religions, I would say this: Jesus said that if we seek Him, we would find Him. I take that to mean what it says, that if any person sought Him, he or she would find Him. He will reveal Himself to that person. All will have an opportunity to see Jesus for Who He is, and be able to receive Him. I am sure of that because the Scriptures teach that.

The Church is to "teach all things I have commanded you," Jesus said. That means the Bible, and the plain meaning of any verse or passage is usually the one that is correct. When we have question about the interpretation of a verse or passage, our practice is to go to what the Church Fathers wrote--what did they say about that. We may then also go to the writings of the monastics and to the Reformation leaders, especially those who were in the English Church. But we go to the apostolic traditions as written by the Church Fathers first.

The Scripture teach us as believers in Jesus to show love and compassion to all. We are to share Him with the world. We are to hold to the teachings of Scripture and serve Jesus above all else. Love does not mean that we say sin is OK. It means we love all, reach out to all, and help each person live the life in Jesus that we're called to live. And we are to stand with all orthodox (in doctrine) believers around the world.

We should be in prayer for the Church, that in whatever it is in error, God will correct it. That wherever it is corrupt, He will purify it. Wherever it needs renewal and reformation that He will bring that. And He does that through us His people as we serve in the world.

I believe that is all I need say. I won't use my blog to rail on events or on specific people. We must pray for them. We must pray for Church leaders that they will be faithful to Jesus and to His Word the Bible.


Br. Francis