Doing what is Right

Ever since I was a young child, I have been intrigued by the collect we heard this morning. "Blessed Lord, who caused all holy Scriptures to be written for our learning: Grant us so to hear them, read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest them, that we may embrace and ever hold fast the blessed hope of everlasting life…" Read, mark, learn and inwardly digest. Anglicans have been praying these words since 1549 when the first English Prayer Book was written. So they come from the deepest part of our history, over 450 years ago. But these words were very new in their day; they reflect the then radical perspective of the Protestant Reformation with its emphasis on Scripture. And, though these words are old, they do not allow us to rest in the comfort of the past. They propel us into our future. They are words of action. They tell us what to do.

We should be reading Scripture. And not just reading it—studying it, weighing and considering its words, seeking application of those words in our lives today. There are two reasons why we should read Scripture. First—reading Scripture is what Christians do. Fire fighters fight fires. You cannot be a fire fighter unless you do what fire fighters do. To be a Christian, you must do what Christians do. Christians read Scripture. Second—and this may sound like circular reasoning—Christians read Scripture to learn how to be Christians. Read, mark, learn and inwardly digest. Inwardly digest. Somehow to me that means that as we read Scriptures our Christianity should become as much a part of us as all of those zillion genes that make us who we are. Above and beyond being witty or athletic or musical or brown-eyed, we will be Christians. Every moment, every action of our lives will proceed out of our Christian identity. We read Scripture because we are Christians; that is what Christians do. We read Scripture so that we may become Christians, to live more and more fully into our Christian identity.

Has anyone ever asked you if you are a Christian? You know, they shouldn’t have to ask. If you are doing what Christians do, your actions, your life should speak for itself. Do you have a Bible? Do you read it? Reading Scripture is an absolutely essential element of the Christian life.

All of this morning’s Scripture readings are about what it really means to be the people of God. And the readings provide different incentives for why we might consider doing what we are supposed to do as Christians—why we might spend time reading and studying Scripture for example.

The prophet Malachi speaks of those among the people of God who no longer live in a way that shows their reverence for the Lord. Notice what the real problem is. They are not doing what the righteous should do. They are not keeping God’s commandments in their lives. They are living just like those who have no God. Malachi’s warning is a familiar one for Old Testament prophets. He says: God is watching. God is keeping track. Although it may not seem in the short term that the evil are punished, in the end their punishment will be severe. "The day is coming, burning like an oven, when all the arrogant and all evildoers will be stubble; the day that comes shall burn them up so that it will leave them neither root nor branch." Repent and reform, before it is too late.

The message in the Second Letter to the Thessalonians is a bit different. The author was most likely not Paul himself, but someone writing in Paul’s style. Whoever it was speaks about those who call themselves believers, but live lives of idleness, not keeping the traditions of the community of faith. It is again the actions and practices of life that are at issue. The author is specifically addressing those who say they are Christians, but do not live like Christians. In this New Testament letter there are no threats of dire judgment… just an earnest plea, a concerned exhortation, a shepherd or a teacher’s urgent guidance. "Brothers and sisters, beloved, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, do not be weary in doing what is right." Live as Christians, because in the name of Christ, it is the right thing to do.

And then there’s Luke. Luke speaks to those whose lives do show forth their faith. Luke addresses people whose actions and practices mark them as Christian in the midst of pagan Rome. The earliest Christian communities were small groups of people who met in homes. The reading of Holy Scripture, usually whole books at one time, was an essential part of their life together. The "laity", the members of the community considered themselves the stewards, the caretakers, of God’s word. It was they who kept the precious scrolls in their possession at a time when possessing Christian writings meant persecution and death. Luke writes to encourage and uphold these people who risked death for the sake of the Scriptures. "They will arrest you and persecute you. This will give you an opportunity to testify." In this persecution is an opportunity for evangelism! An opportunity to be welcomed. And be assured. God will never abandon you. "By your endurance you will gain your souls."

Three different reasons that we should do what we are supposed to do as people of God. There are many pieces to living a Christian life. All of these readings remind us, though, that what we do, how we actually live are very important. Today’s collect reminds us that the reading and studying of Scripture is the foundation and source for all else we do as Christians. Read Holy Scripture. Do it to avoid the fiery day of judgment. Do it because it is the right thing to do. Read Scripture because it will enable you to witness and share the faith. Or, do it for the same reasons a child aspires to be a firefighter or a teacher or a physician and studies and works to attain that goal. Read Holy Scripture because you want to be a Christian when you grow up.

"Blessed Lord, who caused all holy Scripture to be written for our learning: Grant us so to hear them, read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest them, that we may embrace and ever hold fast the blessed hope of everlasting life, which you have given us in our Savior Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen."

Comments are welcome.  Send to krisorr@att.net

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