Calvin Synod Herald, 2014 (115. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
2014-11-01 / 11-12. szám
6 CALVIN SYNOD HERALD I Walk The Line - NOT! An increasingly shameless America has arisen with the impudent spirit of Woodstock - godlessness and free love challenging the very foundations of the nation's moral, cultural and religious heritage. Nowhere is it worse than in the utter disregard of sexual morality - one night stands, cohabitation, deviant sadomasochism, pedophilia, homosexual liaisons and pseudo-marriages, with total defiance of chastity and fidelity, purity and sanctity - flippantly ignoring the personal, societal and spiritual role of marriage. Changes in its laws reflect the irreligious and unholy character of many and the careless tolerance of immorality by unthinking Christians. Christian faith is not a smorgasbord from which a person can pick and choose the commandments they will obey or ignore. The Bible is not just another book to be considered alongside others, which may have rather contrary views, but the holy revelation of Almighty God. It teaches quite bluntly that there is a difference between good and bad behavior, faith and faithlessness. Jesus himself, who came so all could be saved, nevertheless taught that there was a narrow path to be walked, and there would be a separation of the sheep and the goats, those going to Heaven and those going to Hell. What a farce it is when notoriously ungodly persons, living scandalously, are sent off to 'the great beyond' with fanfare and the pious strains of "Amazing Grace.' Such may defy God vocally, denying even His existence, and live life their dissolute way. But they can't deny God's word about godly daily life and then choose the happy words about eternity. It's all or nothing! Country Wisdom Many of the songs of country singer Johnny Cash have lived on because the words ring true to everyday experience. One of these is, "I Walk The Line." He sings that when one is so deeply in love it makes it easy to be true, to look away from temptation, and to stay on the straight and narrow. The first verse calls for reaffirmation of the promises to a loved one - spoken or implied -whether going steady, engaged or married. It makes it easy for a tourist to pass by a street of brothels in Amsterdam. A salesman is so head over heels in love that he skips the invitations of clients to have little night on the town. It is the reason a soldier spurns the adage, "If you're not near the one you love, then love the one you're near." Indeed, the joy that the other has brought to life so overwhelms that it binds, and the two become one - even if far apart. Wisdom of the Word That the Christian's tie to God works the same way is no accident, as in divine marriage we discover how two become one. So we can interpret a reading of these lyrics, but now with I keep a close watch on this heart of mine. I keep my eyes wide open all the time. I keep the ends out for the tie that binds. Because you're mine, I walk the line. Ifind it very, very easy to be true. Ifind myself alone when each day is through. Yes, I'll admit that I'm a fool for you. Because you're mine, I walk the line. As sure as night is dark and day is light. I keep you on my mind both day and night. And happiness I've known proves that it's right Because you're mine, I walk the line. You've got a way to keep me on your side. You give me cause for love that I can't hide. For you I know I'd even try to turn the tide. Because you're mine, I walk the line. Jesus as the One to whom we are so closely bound. He who gave His life, and whose presence is still with us, makes it easy to walk the line for Him. He is so much a part of us that we are one with Him. Who would - who could - disappoint Jesus who loves us with un-Christian behavior that shames Him? In brazen independence some do not walk the line. Without a connection to the Church, the tie that binds all who walk with Jesus, there is no living connection. They defy the Church which Christ established. "The unspiritual man does not receive the gifts of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned." (I Cor 2:14) Their god is one they invent, so they're always right. Some may even say they walk the line - but NOT! Choosing to ignore the Scriptures, they strike out on their own path, as if they know better than the apostles taught by Jesus. It's like making a meringue pie without a recipe or flying a plane without taking lessons. Paul wrote, "For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God." (I Cor. 1:18) What a joy it is to profess "That I ... belong to my faithful Savior Jesus Christ, who ... makes me heartily willing and henceforth to live unto him." It is to say to Jesus, "You've got a way to keep me on your side. You give me cause for love that I can’t hide. Because You're mine, I walk the line." Rev. Albert W. Kovács HEIDELBERG CATECHISM NO. 108 Thou shalt not commit adultery. What does the seventh commandment teach us? That all unchastity is accursed of God, and that we should therefore loathe it from the heart and live chastely and modestly whether in holy wedlock or single life. I
