The Lenten Season is a wonderful time to draw near to the Lord, contemplate your own mortality, recognize and confess your sins and sinful actions that led Jesus to the cross for you, and ultimately prepare yourself to receive the gift of forgiveness and restoration in His crucifixion, death, and the resurrection joy of Easter. This is also a great time for Life Teams, Life Chapters, and congregations to consider their Gospel-motivated voices For Life. Have we “hit the mark” in all that we say and do to support and encourage life to the full? Consider this in light of one of the Penitential Psalms of Scripture: Psalm 32.
Read Psalm 32:1-2 – Four words describe the sad state of the person whose life is lived in opposition and defiance of the Law of God. For a deeper understanding of each, look up the accompanying verses and write out/compare the descriptions of these actions against God or humanity.
- Transgression – 1 Kings 12:19 (rebellion); Genesis 31:36 (offense/crime, do wrong); Jeremiah 5:6 (rebel/unfaithful, transgress/backslide, transgress/apostasy, crimes/infidelity)
- Sin – Exodus 32:30 (great sin); Numbers 15:24 (unintentional acts); 1 Kings 14:16 (committed, caused others to commit); Genesis 50:17 (did you wrong); 2 Samuel 12:13 (against the Lord)
- Iniquity – Psalm 103:3; 2 Samuel 22:24; Genesis 15:16; Genesis 4:13
- Deceit – Proverbs 12:24, 27 (slackness/looseness); Proverbs 19:15; Hosea 7:16; Psalm 78:57; Jeremiah 48:10; Micah 6:12
Note: The Greek word translated as “deceit” has at its root or strict meaning the concept of “bait for fish” and is thus interpreted as “deceit, treachery, or fraud” in usage. Therefore, the words “… and in whose spirit there is no deceit” could literally be translated “… and in whose mouth there is no bait.” What unique perspective does this bring to mind as you consider that living in transgression, sin, and iniquity is like living in shadows and falsehoods?
Consider the “life issues” (abortion, treatment of the disabled, end-of-life decisions, family lifestyles, gender and identity, etc.) that the world faces daily.
- In what ways are these issues direct offenses to the God of life and creation?
- Discuss ways the life-minded may participate in disregard/rebellion toward both God as creator and humanity whom God has given us the command to care for as our neighbor?
Why is the “the man” of Psalm 32:1-2 blessed? What is the basis for this blessing? How does one come into the state of blessedness and live in blessing? Consider the following verses:
Matthew 5:1-13; Exodus 34:4-10; Psalm 25:14-22; Psalm 130; Jeremiah 31:31-34; Mark 2:1-12; Luke 1:67-80; Luke 23:33-35; Acts 2:36-42; Acts 26:15-23; Ephesians 1:7-10; Colossians 1:13-14; Hebrews 9:19-28; 1 John 1:8-10
What does it mean to have your sins covered? Consider these verses:
Leviticus 16:11-17; Romans 3:19-26 (Hint – consider v. 25 with regard to Leviticus 16:14); Exodus 12:7-14; Hebrews 10:18-23; Exodus 24:1-11 (Note what special gift of presence the elders are given toward the end.)
Iniquity has us consider “activity that is crooked or wrong” as well as the conscious or intentional “offenses” that we commit against God’s laws and order of life. Iniquity offends the way we interact with each other as well; this includes how we perceive (or fail to perceive) the needs of our neighbor or care for him. Iniquity bears with it a sense of “guilt” and from that comes the need of “punishment” for a guilty condition.
- God can speak harshly about “iniquity.” (See Jeremiah 16:9-21.)
- God can speak of not holding “iniquity” against us. (See Ezekiel 33:7-16.)
What is at the root or what precipitates the Lord to turn from His anger and not count our evils against us? (See especially Ezekiel 33:11.)
- Discuss how all this (God dealing with iniquity and our response) could be an important part of a life ministry in your church or community.
- A portion of our LFL manner for sharing Gospel-motivated voices For Life indicates that we “speak the truth in love.” Why is this important when discussing life issues?
- How might we also “turn from our way” in terms of our approach to various life issues? As LFL members and Christians, are there times we may sin, trespass, or find ourselves doing “iniquity” when it comes to our handling (or avoiding) life issues? Why? How?
- Consider what it means for you, your Life Team or Life Chapter, your congregation, and possibly your community to “acknowledge” your sin regarding your responses (or lack of) to life issues. (Use Psalm 32:5 as your guide.)
Compassion and caring are foundational hallmarks of those serving in LFL. Without it, we are without love for our neighbor. As St. Paul says in 1 Corinthians 13:1, “If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.” Consider how those plagued by life issues may be uneasy, in turmoil, and tossed about by the waves of affliction, much like a shipwrecked crew. With that in mind, re-read Psalm 32:3-4 and answer these questions:
- What do I know of the turmoil of someone suffering an abortion decision in silence?
- How have I contributed to the sorrow of those caught in difficult life issues?
- When have I been a friend, helper, or compassionate resource to one who is wasting away from the effects of a life issue?
- Have I been all Law and no Gospel to the one suffering guilt from some life issue decision? What can I do in response to my answer?
As you contemplate Psalm 32:6-11, answer the following questions:
- What hope do you have regarding your future For Life ministries?
- How might these verses inspire and direct you in the coming months and give you hope?
- What are ways you could instruct and teach others regarding life issues?
- How could you (your group/community) surround those beset by life issues in prayer?
- In what ways has God equipped you (your group/community) to be a “hiding place” and help to “preserve from trouble” those caught up in the most difficult struggles and sorrows of life issues?
- Consider these other Scripture verses as you contemplate all these questions: Proverbs 22, especially v. 6; 2 Timothy 3:10-17; Psalm 119:9-16; Colossians 3:12-17; Romans 12:4-15.
The years immediately following the start of the Reformation were troubled and trying times. Communities wondered how and what to change? In his “Eight Sermons at Wittenberg” in 1522, Luther pleads that his people move patiently and with eyes focused on education before making changes in their parishes. He uses his Lenten “Invocavit Sermon” series to address many issues. Read this quote from his final sermon in the series and discuss applications (where possible) to incorporate this attitude in your life ministries.
“Second, we need a kind of confession when we go into a comer by ourselves and confess to God himself and pour out before him all our faults. This kind of confession is also commanded. … As it is written, ‘Blessed are they who observe justice, who do righteousness at all times’ [Psalm 106:3]. Judgment is nothing else than our knowing and judging and condemning ourselves, and this is true humility and self-abasement. Righteousness is nothing else than our knowing ourselves and praying to God for the mercy and help through which God raises us up again.”[1]
Lutherans For Life knows this last year has been both uncertain and often trying for groups to assemble and remain active. Our encouragement—forget the past (where it has been a hindrance) and strive to move forward with the Gospel of peace and joy in your hearts. Christ, who is your life and your salvation, walks with you! He is also the reason and the power behind all you do and sacrifice for others in need of rescue, aid, and support. In confession, speak to God openly of your struggles. In faith, trust the work of Jesus upon the cross to free you from guilt in His absolution of peace! With the Spirit of God in His Word upon your heart, go forth in your continued life affirming work in joy!
[1] Luther, M. (2012). Martin Luther’s Basic Theological Writings. (W. R. Russell & T. F. Lull, Eds.) (Third Edition, p. 305). Minneapolis, MN: Fortress Press.