January Deaconess Den

Every month I write a  newsletter article entitled "Deaconess Den." I thought I'd share what I wrote for the month of January:

            The 4^th Commandment teaches us that we are to honor our father and mother. In the Small Catechism Luther expands this meaning to say “honor, serve, obey, love and respect them.” Wouldn’t it be nice if our kids kept this commandment perfectly?

            In the Large Catechism, Luther writes concerning this commandment, “God has given this walk of life, fatherhood and motherhood, a special position of honor, higher than that of any other walk of life under it.” It not only is a big responsibility, but a wonderful one. Parenthood is a gift from God. Thus Luther goes on to speak to the nature of this gift. He says that parents, who have honor due them, are also to honor Him.

            Honoring God includes faithfully carrying out the responsibility of parenthood. God does not want parents to be “scoundrels or tyrants” or to be parents simply in order to receive an honor due them. The point of being a parent is to provide for all the material support of your children, but most importantly all the spiritual needs. Parents are not to take up the office lightly, but to take it quite seriously, for God holds you accountable.

            This means that parents have the roll of directing children to the important things in life such as vegetables, homework and the faithful attendance of church – and God’s Word – rather than avoiding these blessings. When children say, “No!,” God expects us to say “yes” and encourage a positive attitude toward His Word.

            God’s Word, after all, has the power to change things. It calls us to repentance – a change of heart. When we hear it, the Law bids us to repent of all the little things we’ve been doing (or not doing) lately. Then the Gospel comes in and not only sweeps us clean but washes us white as snow.

            God’s Word works faith in us. In the Large Catechism, Luther writes, “In God’s sight it is actually faith that makes a person holy; it alone serves God, while our works serve people.” God does not look at our works to determine our salvation. Rather, He gives us the gift of His Word – preached in church – to work faith in us. Therein lies the importance of church attendance!

            When God looks at us, He sees Jesus Christ, Who stands in for us, and gives us His purity. We can also see Jesus each time we come to church to hear God’s Word and receive Holy Communion. I look forward to seeing you there, in His blessed presence.