President Moldstad’s Annual Message, August 2012

In 2011 our synod adopted a strategic plan to “engage others with Jesus.” We might think of this as being in a courtroom, serving as a witness. All Christians are called to be witnesses of something wonderful that happened inside God’s courtroom where God has acquitted all people. The Bible says, “There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus” (Romans 8:1).
Consider what it means to serve as a witness for God. St. Peter stated, “For we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard” (Acts 4:20). We know that “salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name given to men by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12).
God made us witnesses who possess the truth. We need to listen to the Gospel message daily so that we are better able to assist others to know about Jesus. The Holy Spirit has equipped us as witnesses with the message of Christ’s free salvation for sinners and gave us baptism, God’s Word, the Lord’s Supper and Absolution so we know the truth.
Witnesses are duty bound to tell the truth. The world around us has little time for exclusive truth. Witnessing for the truth also involves “apologetics,” that is, the defense of the Christian faith. Our Doctrine Committee has produced a fine statement on this subject. Witnesses need to know where salvation for sinners is found. On the outside of its academic hall, our Bethany Lutheran College has engraved the words, “Your Word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (Psalm 119:105).
God’s witnesses speak two messages: Law and Gospel, one that condemns sin and the other that exonerates the sinner. It is vital for God’s witnesses to know the difference between God’s condemnatory statements and His prevailing statements of grace. For a very good reason, our ELS motto is not “Engage others with Moses,” but “Engage others with Jesus.”
Witnesses in a courtroom face close examination. But we have an advocate (1 John 2:1) who stands between us sinners and the Judge Himself. The Judge is holy. He has a perfect love for the truth and for all people. He died on the cross that we might live. He is also glorified and lives forever. Do these truths not give us courage as we step into the witness stand? For, “If God is for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:31).
God’s witnesses are eager to share the testimony. They are moved to serve, as Paul says, “For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that One died for all, and therefore all died. And He died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for Him who died for them and was raised again” (2 Corinthians 5:14, 15).
Our convention theme, Created in Christ Jesus for Good Works, is drawn from Ephesians 2:10. The Holy Spirit has given us differing abilities for use as God’s witnesses. In the vocations and outside interests that we have, as individuals and as members of congregations, we can encourage each other in our calling as witnesses. We show forth God’s glory as we show forth God’s love in our lives towards our neighbors. God gives us many roles to fill and provides many avenues to help others in Christian love. St. Paul urges us: “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you” (Ephesians 4:32).
Witnesses are under God’s protection. In the near future in our country, Bible-believing Christians may pay a hefty price for being witnesses about Jesus. In the 2,000-year history of the Christian Church and in many nations today, many Christian witnesses have given up their lives rather than deny their Savior. But God has promised to protect them from spiritual and eternal harm.
May God grant us courage to ascend His witness stand as we have opportunity to do so. For Jesus said, “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad,” says Jesus, “because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you” (Matthew 5:11, 12).
Finally, let us thank God for the blessings we enjoy! We have our places where we worship God—where our souls are fed with Word and Sacrament. God has given us dedicated pastors, teachers and missionaries; a beloved college and seminary and those who teach and work there. We especially praise God for His gospel message that is proclaimed in its truth and purity and for the Sacraments that are rightly administered. With all these blessings, we can be witnesses to God’s truths and promise of salvation.
The President’s message was redacted by the editor.