Cross View Blog

In RLC's Week of Serving, I find that nothing gets done until I actually do it. It's so easy for me to read and agree, maybe even tell myself some "shoulds" or "I wills," but serving others is not real until I do it.

When we read or hear Jesus' red letter words and then fail to actually do His words, we deceive ourselves into thinking that we've done our duty. James is very clear on this: "Be doers of the Word, not just hearers." How often haven't we said, "Great sermon, Pastor!" and then neglected to apply it in our lives?!

 Pastors, teachers, and writers are especially vulnerable to the sin of non-practice. We spend valuable time and energy crafting our sermons, lessons, and essays, and then fail to practice what we preach. There is a category for such behavior: hypocrisy. Good Lord, have mercy upon us!

"The road to destruction is paved with priests' skulls," is the haunting proverb I read at the Seminary. I, as a pastor and blogger, must guard that my tongue, my head, and my hands agree. There comes a time when my words apply to my own life. The very thought of this demands humility and integrity.

This week I keep asking myself, "Now that I made my list of specific deeds to serve the needs of others, what have I actually accomplished?

Certainly, not as much as I would like because I strive against my flesh, the world, and the devil. There is and always will be "slippage on the belt."

However, we have His mercy and forgiveness for such slippage. Let us not rack ourselves with needless guilt, but receive His tender mercy for our sins of omission. Then we move into action.

When I accomplish anything on my list, I recognize that it was the Spirit Himself who moved me and enabled me to do it.  If there is any credit, it should be to the account of the LORD.

One of our retired pastors/teachers at Cross View, Dr. Harry Wendt, stressed Jesus as The Servant King, the One who washed his disciples' feet and who taught them, "The greatest among you shall be the greatest servant." He said that a prominent symbol in our churches should be a washbasin and towel, reminding His followers to wash each other's feet through humble service.

Most importantly, Jesus did not just think about teaching this lesson; He did not just speak about it; He knelt down, grabbed a towel and DID it.

When we move beyond hearing and thinking to doing, God's Kingdom comes among us and His will is done. What could be better?

Paul Emmel is a retired pastor in the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod, having served as a parish pastor, a correctional chaplain for the Wisconsin Department of Corrections, and a hospital chaplain and a community counselor. As a retired pastor, Paul continues to serve the Lord and His people, including establishing the Minnesota South District’s “Pastors to Prisoners” ministry.