The Importance of BEING Orthodox
Whether you agree with recent statistics or not, you cannot deny the plentitude of groups calling themselves Christians. One recent statistic counts Christian denominations at more than 43,000 separate governing bodies of ‘churches’, all claiming to the be the ‘true’ Church of Christ.
Brethren, concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our assembling to meet him, we beg you not to be quickly shaken in mind or excited, either by spirit or by word, or by letter purporting to be from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord has come. Let no one deceive you in any way; for that day will not come, unless the rebellion comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of perdition, who opposes and exalts himself against every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, proclaiming himself to be God. Do you not remember that when I was still with you I told you this? And you know what is restraining him now so that he may be revealed in his time. For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only he who now restrains it will do so until he is out of the way. And then the lawless one will be revealed, and the Lord Jesus will slay him with the breath of his mouth and destroy him by his appearing and his coming. The coming of the lawless one by the activity of Satan will be with all power and with pretended signs and wonders, and with all wicked deception for those who are to perish, because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. Therefore God sends upon them a strong delusion, to make them believe what is false, so that all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness.
2nd Thessalonians 2:1-12
Today’s message from Saint Paul is clear. There have been, and there will be, many who claim to be Christ. They are false but will lead many astray. What I don’t understand is just how many believers read passages like this and refuse to acknowledge not everyone is correct.
In this sermon from 2017, I speak about the importance of BEING Orthodox, and not just calling yourself Orthodox. BEING Orthodox is to believe CORRECTLY about Who Jesus Christ is. By Saint Paul’s lesson today, we can see just how important being correct will be for our salvation.
If you’re reading today’s blog, either you are a loyal fan or today’s title intrigues you. You might be Orthodox ‘in name’ but are you Orthodox in your beliefs and actions? Just as many Jews were the People of God (Israel) ‘by name’, many didn’t know Him truly and killed Him.
You may be searching for a Church that ‘speaks to you’ and your need for something stable in a world where beliefs continue to ‘shift’ under your feet. Let me assure you that the Orthodox Church is the original Church of Christ and has never altered its teachings about God.
Sure, there are many examples of changing practices throughout the centuries. There are ZERO examples of changing doctrine about Who Jesus Christ is. He is God. He is the Son of God. He is One in essence with the Father. The truth of God is explained in the Creed.
Today’s blog isn’t a defense of the Creed. Today’s blog is nothing more than an acknowledgment that many will come and try to trick you away from God. If you want to be saved ‘in the end’ what you believe about God will be crucial. Saint Paul warns us today.
As we draw closer to the celebration of Christmas, and intensify our spiritual preparation, I invite you to ask yourself if you live your Orthodoxy like you claim to believe. Being Orthodox is more than ‘just a name’ we call ourselves. Being Orthodox MUST be how we live.
The Holy Apostles instructed us in our way of life. Our life of prayer, fasting, almsgiving, and the entire sacramental life, isn’t about what we call ourselves. Our way of life is about learning to live the beliefs we claim to have. Before time gets away from you, call your spiritual father.
Make time for Holy Confession. Ask your spiritual father for a ‘fasting plan’ for Christmas. Plan your schedule around Church services and prayers. Dare to skip a holiday party in exchange for attending Vespers.
Being Orthodox Christian in a secular world often means being outcast, but if being outcast now means being saved later, I’ll choose outcast now.
