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[02 Jan 2009|05:25am] |
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From "Sounds like a plan?", by William R. White
(pastor of Bethel Lutheran Church, Madison, WI, US),
in The Lutheran magazine: [...] when I
searched the Internet, I discovered that "God's plan" is a theme
on dozens of Web sites. And these sites typically state that not
only has God developed a master plan for your life but that part
of your mandate by Christ is to follow this prescribed plan. Some
promise "true joy, happiness and success" for those who do just
that. As a faith descendant of Martin Luther, I've
learned that our warning light ought to go on whenever someone
promises us a reward for being faithful to God. Luther reminded
us there is no direct connection between being faithful and being
successful. The faithful life of Jesus led him to the cross. Why
would we expect anything different? [...] Here
is how God led the original disciples. Shortly after Jesus selected
12 men for training he sent them out with this admonition: "As
you go, proclaim the good news, 'The kingdom of heaven has come
near.' Cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, cast
out demons" (Matthew 10:7-8). This sounds less like a plan and
more like a mission statement.
The Lutheran
magazine, (ISSN 0024-743X)
January 2009 (vol. 22 no. 1), pp.28-29
[The full text is, alas, available online only to subscribers.
I found it clarified a few things I've had in the back of my
head for a long time.]
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