Week of Prayer - ONWARD WITH the GREAT COMMISSION - Celebrating 50 Years of LausanneSample

DAY 2: ENTRUSTING AND SUBMITTING TO THE WORD OF GOD (art.2)

We live in a society that pushes people towards self-realisation and success at all costs. As a consequence, people are driven to rely only on themselves and not want to submit to any judgment because their thoughts and will become the only beacon that guides their actions. Today, Christians must, therefore, be careful not to be dragged by the dominant culture and consider how important it is to entrust and submit to the Word of God. Luther could say: "I am bound by the Scriptures and my conscience is captive to the Word of God," and what about us? Why must we trust and submit to God's Word?

The Lausanne Covenant gives voice to the evangelical faith of all times. First, we must recognize that the Word of God is a wonderful love letter that God has left for man to know him: it is the supreme source of God's revelation. It is the ultimate authority in matters of faith and life and is the only sure support for our life. Furthermore, the Word of God is the source of our salvation. In fact, James said: "He willed to give birth to us according to his will through the word of truth" (James 1:18).

In addition, the Word of God protects us against temptation, and we receive the best example from Jesus himself who, when tempted by the devil, answered with the words: "It is written!" Psalm 119:11 exhorts us to keep the Word in our hearts so as not to sin, and in verse 111 of the same psalm, we are told that the Word of God is our heritage and our joy.

We are therefore exhorted to humble ourselves before the Word of God knowing that it is a challenging thing to do. Sometimes, our life is so hard that we become difficult to teach. Secondly, we have the challenge of our flesh, which does not want to listen obediently to Scripture and, instead, wants to submit it to itself. As Christians, we are exhorted to approach this precious Word with an attitude of meekness, carving out a time alone with God where, as disciples, our heart may be taught (Isaiah 50:4), purified, and made ready to receive this word which, implanted in the heart, becomes productive and can save our souls, renewing our minds (James 1:21; Romans 12:2).

But how do we show that this Word is important to us? By becoming "doers" of the Word. In fact, James always exhorts us not to make the testimony we receive from Scripture an illusory satisfaction (James 1:22). Still, by acting according to its precious guidance, we will be strengthened in the truth by persevering in the Word. Likewise, as church leaders, when firmly anchored to this sure Word, we will be able to exhort according to sound doctrine and be able to convince those who contradict it (Titus 1:9).

As beloved children of God, we want to find our joy in the Word, meditate on it day and night, and love it with all our hearts. We receive this Word with submission and willingness to listen and obey. We, too, can say with Luther: Here I am! God help me! Amen.

THANKSGIVING

Thank you, Lord, for having inspired your written Word, for having preserved it and made it circulate throughout the world so that it may be the light that illuminates the path of faith. Thank you for Christ Jesus, the Word made flesh, confirming the written Word.

CONFESSION

Forgive us, Lord, when we put our word before your Word.

Forgive our conformism to the many words of the world and our rebellion against your Word.

REQUESTS

If we recognise how precious this Word is, we ask God to remove our sin and the wax that clogs our ears and prevents us from hearing the truth.

May we be humble and meek in listening to the Word and courageous in obedience.

Dario De Crescenzo & Cristian Careddu

Italian Theological Academy