LifeDate Fall 2023 – How to Use Your Gospel-Motivated Voice For Life
by Rev. Dr. James I. Lamb
Photo above: Omphalos Stone
Using your Gospel-Motivated Voice and Actions in the Presence of Evil
On a recent “Footsteps of Paul” tour, our group went to Delphi, the center of the world, at least according to the Greek god Zeus. To find this center point, mythology tells us Zeus released two eagles simultaneously which flew in opposite directions around the earth. Where their paths crossed would be the center of the world and the source of all life. Delphi is from the Greek word delphys, meaning womb.
To mark the spot, Zeus dropped a giant stone, the Omphalos Stone. This giant stone found at Delphi, which now is in a museum, undoubtedly gave rise to the mythology associated with it. You know “omphalos” because you know its English counterpart, “umbilicus,” meaning navel. The navel is the center of the body and, through the umbilical cord, the source of life sustaining goodies from mom. Delphi became the navel of the world. Zeus established an oracle there, a priestess who could answer questions and predict your future—for a price! A giant python was dispatched to guard the oracle.
Enter the god Apollo. He thought the center of the world would be a fit place for a god to hang out. Plus, the beautiful priestess oracle would undoubtedly make a fine wife. But first he must deal with the python, which he did in an epic god vs. python battle. Victorious, Apollo claimed the oracle as bride. Because of this heroic feat, he became known as “Phythian Apollo.” The oracles became known as “Pythia.”
Many gazed upon the “navel” of Delphi looking for wisdom from the oracle. We do not. Our center, our source of life, is Jesus. “For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him … And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent” (Colossians 1:16, 18).
We gaze on Jesus. We need Him as our center as we confront evil, as evil confronts us. We do not know if Paul ever went to Delphi. We do know he was confronted by its evil.
“As we were going to the place of prayer, we were met by a slave girl who had a spirit of divination and brought her owners much gain by fortune-telling. She followed Paul and us, crying out, ‘These men are servants of the Most High God, who proclaim to you the way of salvation.’ And this she kept doing for many days. Paul, having become greatly annoyed, turned and said to the spirit, ‘I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her.’ And it came out that very hour” (Acts 16:16-18).
“Spirit of divination” in the Greek is spirit of pythia! The evil centered in Delphi possessed this girl. Maybe she was once an apprentice oracle. What she said sounded good. She told people exactly what Paul and Silas were proclaiming. But, as the saying goes, “Not all that glitters is gold.” The source was pure evil, and Paul had enough.
We live in the presence of evil. Some of it is twisted to sound good. We hear of “the compassionate relief of suffering” or “death with dignity” or “right to health care” or “simple medical procedure.” You know many more. God calls us to confront these with His truth, to reveal the evil behind them. God call us to educate fellow Christians in His truth so they do not end up “possessed” by this way of thinking. God calls us to call evil what it is, but also to share the truth of what God has done about evil.
For that we fix our gaze upon Jesus (Hebrews 12:2). He speaks to us through His Word of truth and grace. Gazing upon His cross, He assures us of His love, the defeat of the devil, sins atoned for, forgiveness. Gazing upon His empty tomb, He assures us of new life here and hereafter in resurrection perfection. Gazing upward, He assures us He is at the right hand of God and in control of and at work in all things. Gaze on the “navel,” (center) Jesus and raise your Gospel-motivated voices, speaking His truth in love. Gaze upon Jesus and engage in Gospel-motivated action, demonstrating His truth in compassionate care for your neighbor in need. How?
- Join or start a Life Team or Life Chapter or become a Life Advocate
- Support and/or volunteer at a local pregnancy resource center
- Advertise your pregnancy resource center and LFL’s Word of Hope in your congregation
- Support Lutherans For Life
- Visit members living alone or in care centers
- Have Lutherans For Life speakers come to your area or sponsor a Y4Life event
- Pray for all the above!