Calvin Synod Herald, 2011 (112. évfolyam, 3-12. szám)

2011-07-01 / 7-8. szám

CALVIN SYNOD HERALD

9

“SINNERS IN THE HANDS OF AN ANGRY GOD” - WHO? ME?

The traditional Four Questions in the Hungarian Reformed communion service begin with one that is so uncomfortable. It makes us squirm, and even want to challenge it: “Do you believe that in consequence of the fall of the first man, originally created by God in righteousness, holiness and innocence, you yourselves are totally fallible and sinful, who by your own merits could not stand up before the judgment seat of God, but deserve punishment, death and damnation.?” We are supposed to answer, “This I do believe and profess.”

The pride in us wants us to say, “Now just wait a minute! I’m not all that bad - and why blame Adam?” But looking at the biblical narrative, in talking about Adam, a glance at the next chapters takes us to the story of the children of he and Eve. Not only did the first couple lose their innocence, but worse was to follow. Their first son, Cain, became a murderer! He killed his own brother!

The story of humankind’s sinfulness fills the pages of the Bible, with the loss of innocence. And beginning with Cain and the first parents we see the terrible consequences of sin. The early American preacher, Jonathan Edwards, delivered a blistering sermon about sin’s consequences in “Sinners in the hands of an angry God,” studied by many in college American Literature courses. It taught us plainly to fear Hell.

But that was long ago, and surely we must be more enlightened in these later days far removed from pagan and primitive understandings. Yet our own generation wonders - perhaps despairs. The Vietnam era protest singers reflected steadfast human resistance to love, with a plea to stop the killing of one another. We remember hearing:

How many wads must a man walk down Before they call him a man . . .

How many times must the cannonballs fly Before they are forever banned How many ears must one man have Before he can hear people cry How many deaths will it take till he knows That too many people have died The answer, my friend, is blowing in the wind The answer is blowing in the wind

Jesus died, too, because of the righteous judgment of God, upon those of us lacking holiness and innocence. Yes, we must admit, that fits us to a T.

Fortunately, the message of the Gospel of God’s love is hope for the damned, “For God sent the Son into the world, not to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him. ” Truthful admission that we are sinners who anger God opens us to feel the blowing wind of the Spirit and, instead of damnation, be bom anew and enjoy eternal life.

My Times Are In Thy Hand

Sov’reign Ruler of the skies!

Ever gracious, ever wise!

All my times are in thy hand —

All events at thy command.

His decree, who form’d the earth,

Fix’d my first and second birth:

Parents, native place and time —

All appointed were by him.

He that form’d me in the womb,

He shall guide me to the tomb:

All my times shall ever be Ordered by his wise decree.

Times of sickness, times of health;

Times of penury and wealth;

Times of trial and of grief;

Times of triumph and relief.

Times the tempter’s pow’r to save; Times to taste a Savior’s love;

All must come, at last, and end,

As shall please my heav’nly Friend. Plagues and death around me fly;

Till he bids, I cannot die;

Not a single shaft can hit,

Till the God of love sees fit.

0 thou Gracious, Wise and Just,

In thy hands my life I trust;

Have I somewhat dearer still?

1 resign it to thy will.

May I always own thy hand -Still to thee surrender’d stand;

Know that thou art God alone,

I and mine are all thine own.

REFORMED CHURCH HYMNAL 1853

SONG OF THE PSALMIST

It is good to give thanks to the Lord,

To sing praises to thy name, O Most High;

To declare thy steadfast love in the morning,

And thy faithfulness by night,

To the music of the harp.

To the melody of the lyre.

For thou, O Lord, hast made me glad by thy work;

At the works of thy hands I sing for joy. (Ps. 92)

DOXOLOGY

To God the Father, God the Son,

And God the Spirit, Three in One,

Be honour, praise and glory giv’n,

By all on earth, and all in heav’n.

Rev. Albert W. Kovács