Reflecting on Values: The Word of God in Christ

“Boundary Conditions,” by President-Elect Doug Krug

Psalm 1:1-2

Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners,  nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night.

Luke 11:28

(Jesus) said, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and keep it!”

 John 20:30

Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; ³¹  but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.

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As a structural engineer dealing with a complex analytical problem (prior to the computer modeling days!) we have a little trick I call setting a “boundary condition.”  Here’s how it’s done: when we have lots of variables and not enough information to sort them all out, we’ll take one or more of those variables and simply remove them from the equation.

It’s not a solution, but it can help clarify an issue and make it easier to discern the potential behavior and performance of a building’s structural system.  By focusing on a critical variable and temporarily removing it from consideration (or setting it equal to zero) we might discover an important collapse mechanism for the building.  We then highlight that variable’s importance and make sure it is integrated properly in the building’s design.

Here at Faith Lutheran we’ve already set some “boundary conditions.”  In our meeting a few Saturdays ago we, as a congregation, discussed and emphasized the fundamental importance of the Word and the high value and critical importance of the Cross.

First, the Word: this Bible contains God’s entire and complete message – to us as His children and to His entire creation.  Without this Word we have no hope of salvation.  This vital boundary condition – keeping the Word central and primary in our lives – establishes a faith structure that is immune to collapse.  We simply cannot live in His grace and receive His salvation without knowing the Word.

As for the Cross: you’ll note how Pastor Ray will during almost every sermon at some point turn and point to, or otherwise highlight, the cross up there on the front wall of this sanctuary.  He does this to remind us of the love and redemption God gave us through the life, death and resurrection of Jesus.

This second boundary condition – placing the Cross front and center in our lives – builds into our faith a toughness and a resiliency that comes with the assurance of salvation through Jesus’ victory over sin and death.

Fortunately we at Faith Lutheran understand the critical importance of these two boundary conditions – keeping the Word and the Cross central in our lives.  We know these two faith “building elements” establish the primary framework upon which our church is built.  We highlight this importance in our worship liturgy.

As Lutheran Christians we set for ourselves a high mark, looking toward heaven knowing the only viable path to our Father is through the truth given us in the Biblical Word and in the sacrifice and victory already won for us on the Cross.  Keeping this first and foremost in whatever we do assures us that our actions are good and favorable in God’s eyes.