Synodical Conference Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 1950, Page 7

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Ev. Luth. Synodical Conference of North America. 1950 7

become accustomed to the presence of the son of the promise,
Isaac, in his life, so we have become accustomed to the Synodical
Conference as an evidence of God’s favor and as an expression of
unity among us. And as Abraham undoubtedly often forgot the
real significance of Isaac and his miraculous birth, so that God must
bring the occasion of Moriah into his life, so we so easily forget
the miraculous birth and growth of the Synodical Conference before
our very eyes; we take for granted its presence and easily lose
sight of its privileges and its obligations and its true glory. We
are very busy doing the work of each of our synods and easily
forget that we have a work to do that is common to all.

Thus also in other matters. We are in the habit of speaking
of sin and grace and truth and love, and then easily forget that
these heavenly things are as nothing unless they consist not in
words merely, but in realities which are felt in hearts and lives that
are moved by the Spirit of God.

Therefore God tempts us as He tempted Abraham of old.
Therefore He must tempt, i.e., try and test, our faith, putting an
oceasion for the exercise of faith in our way that we may learn
the worth of our faith and that, having been humbled, we may
hasten back to the Word and find our strength there. But as
Abraham was victorious through obedience to the simple Word
of God, and as he was blessed and became a blessing by the simple
Word of promise, so let us learn to heed that same Word in all its
heavenly simplicity and be blessed by its heavenly promise. There
is no other help.

In all of this we so easily speak and think and do, satisfied so
long as we can keep within the sphere of generalities, but fearful
lest we go beyond and become more specific. And yet it is char-
acteristic of a true and sincere brotherhood that frankness prevail
in all things. Generalities have no place where a definite sickness
is involved. It is not possible to cure the body unless the specific
tumor or infection or diseased area has been discovered and laid
bare. Granted what we all know, that difficulties and dissensions
have arisen among us, that the whole body is fast being threatened
— if you were the physician called upon to diagnose, where would
you say that the trouble lies? In what area is the infection? In
which doctrine or practice are we being tempted and tested and to
what does God point specifically so that we may be restored to our
former health?

The answer is to be found where faithful Abraham pointed the
way, in our attitude toward the Word of God. Sin has its deep
roots in pride, and pride rises up against the simple Word, today
as ever of old. Though the Word is clear, the reason of man would
make it involved and difficult, with the result that the Word to
many becomes uncertain and unclear. Though the Word maintains
that it is from God and possesses the power and authority of very
God, man is tempted to question that power and authority so that
the Word no longer governs and rules, but the Word is governed
by the whims and notions of men. Where God says, “Avoid,” man
is tempted to be frightened by the specter of separatism. Where
God says, “By grace,” man is tempted to stress works. Where God
teaches plainly that Christ alone is our salvation, man would im-
prove on this by adding here or there, until we cease to be the