The reality that we claim

Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and for ten days you will have tribulation. Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life. Revelation 2:10 

 

"Be faithful unto death and I will give you eternal life." These words of Christ are sobering to say the least. The thought that holding to our faith in Christ might actually require our life may seem a far stretch for us, but this has been the cost for countless of believers down through the ages. Even in our own day, in many places throughout the world, martyrdom is a daily threat.

 

I bring this up because Christmas break is over and Confirmation classes have started back up again at our congregation. As unimaginable as it may seem that we would have to give our lives because of our faith in Christ, this is the reality that we claim we are willing to face when we make our confirmation vows. In the rite of confirmation, after having confessed the faith according the Apostles' Creed, professing that the Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testament are the inspired Word of God, and confessing that the teachings learned in during Confirmation classes conform to the truth of those Holy Scriptures, the pastor then asks the confirmand to make the following vows:

 

⁃ Do you intend to hear the Word of God and receive the Lord's Supper faithfully?

 

⁃ Do you intend to live according to the Word of God, and in faith, word, and deed to remain true to God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, even to death?

 

⁃ Do you intend to continue steadfast in this confession and Church and to suffer all, even death, rather than fall away from it?

 

To each of these the confirmand must be ready, willing, and able to respond, "I do, by the grace of God."

 

Confirmation is a joyful occasion, made so by virtue of the fact that those who are confirmed are saying that this faith that God has given them and nurtured in them by His Word and Spirit... this faith that they have studied and wrestled with...this faith which has been passed on to them from family, or friends, or some other drawing of the Holy Spirit - it means more to them than life itself. We as the Church rightly rejoice in this bold confession.

 

It is the lament of every pastor that many youth who make this vow, seldom darken the church doors after their Confirmation. They all but disappear, after having vowed to faithfully come to church to continue to grow in faith by hearing the preaching of God's Word and receiving Christ's body and blood in the Sacrament of the Altar. The truth of the matter is, if having our kids in church each week doesn't take priority in our lives before confirmation instruction, it will not likely be a priority for us or the confirmand after they have "jumped through the hoops" and "fulfilled the obligation of attending church" during their confirmation years.

 

What's the solution to this problem? Christian parents (and grandparents) need to step up and act like it. Make going to church each week a priority in your household. Make receiving the Lord's Supper a priority. Make being active in the church community a priority. Make growing in God's Word (both at church and at home) a priority. Read God's Word on your own and study it with others (especially your family!). Bring your questions to your Pastor (he will always welcome them!). If you don't understand something or agree with something, ask why it is that way. There is probably a reason (good or bad), and things don't often change for the better without intention.

 

God tells us in His Word that it is the responsibility of the parents and grandparents to pass on the faith (Deut. 4:9; Deut. 6; Deut. 30:11-20; Isaiah 59:21; 2 Timothy 1:5, etc.). That means you must live your faith. You must know what God says in His Word and confess His promises as true. You must be able to share your faith with your children, and answer their questions from God's Word. You must be willing to search for the answers you don't know, and show your kids that growing in our baptismal identity is a daily, life-long journey...one that is most worthy of pursuing with everything in us.

 

When does this need to start? Today! It needs to start today and every day. It needs to start today for the young single Christian. It needs to start today for the senior widow or widower. It needs to start today for the young newlywed….today for the empty-nester... today for the expecting mother...today for the divorcee...today for the mixed family...today for each and every person who has breath in their lungs.

 

Today is the day of redemption. Today is the day of repentance. Today is the day of hearing God's Word of warning and blessing, and turning toward His mercy and grace.

Today is the day to humble ourselves in obedience before God's good and right way. Today is the day you and your loved ones need to take your faith seriously. It is more than a life and death issue - it is an eternal life and eternal death issue. It is more than worth dying for - it is worth living for.