The Meyer Minute

The Meyer Minute for November 3, 2017

I’ve heard this said, and from my own experience I know it is true. The minister visits a dying person and asks, “Are you ready for eternity?” “I hope so,” comes the answer; “I’ve tried to lead a good life.” Dear God, don’t let me, don’t let anyone approach that final journey with such waffling!

All Saints’ Day will be observed in many churches this Sunday. Some congregations have the custom of tolling the church bell as the name of each member who died in the last year is read. Why the ceremony? Why the joyous hymns of All Saints’ Sunday? Because of a flimsy “I hope so?” Because the deceased tried to lead a good life? St. Paul approached eternity with none of that. “I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him until that Day” (2 Timothy 1:12).

Certainty in the face of death can’t be found in yourself. “Pastor, I know I’m not perfect.” What does Scripture say about not being perfect? “Whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point has become accountable for all of it” (James 2:10). Therefore, this prayer: “Enter not into judgment with your servant, for no one living is righteous before you” (Psalm 143:2). Certainty has to come from Someone other than yourself and from someplace other than the good Christian life you may have tried to lead. Certainty must come from One who brings forgiveness for your sins, and Himself came through the valley of the shadow of death alive. He promises, “Because I live, you also will live” (John 14:19). Jesus’ promise give you hope that is sure and certain. “I will fear no evil, for you are with me” (Psalm 23:4).

“If we have died with him, we will also live with him; if we endure, we will also reign with him; if we deny him, he also will deny us; if we are faithfulness, he remains faithful – for he cannot deny himself” (2 Timothy 2:11-13).

The Meyer Minute for November 1, 2017

Once again we hear public officials beginning their statements to the press saying, “The victims and their families are in our thoughts and prayers.” What does that really mean? Think about it. It is human-centered. Our thoughts. Our prayers. It’s not in any way a statement about God; beneath the spiritual veneer it’s about us.

A Barna survey asked Americans to agree or disagree. “The best way to find yourself is by looking within yourself.” 91% agreed, and 76% of practicing Christians agreed. “To be fulfilled in life, you should pursue the things you desire most.” 86% agreed; 72% of practicing Christians agreed. “The highest goal of life is to enjoy it as much as possible.” 84% of Americans agreed; 67% of Christians. “When we peel back the layers, we find that many Christians are using the way of Jesus to pursue the way of self…. While we wring our hands about secularism spreading through culture, a majority of churchgoing Christians have embraced corrupt, me-centered theology” (David Kinnaman, Barna Trends 2017; 53). “Everyone did what was right in his own eyes” (Judges 21:25).

The New York attack was despicable, just like all the other mass killings. I’m just observing that spiritual comments on camera show how shallow faith has become in America. Martin Luther explained the First Commandment by saying, “We should fear, love and trust in God above all things.” Where is the fear of God in today’s America? Any public official saying, “God, have mercy on us?” The Reformer began his explanation of the rest of the commandments saying, “We should fear and love God so that we….” Each subsequent commandment impacts society because a true Christian – not the nominal Christians of Barna research – fears and loves God and gives himself to others. Reformation should be ongoing.