“The Freedom of a Christian”

 

    Americans are understandably proud of the freedoms they enjoy as United States citizens.  No other country on earth offers its citizens the same opportunities for freedom afforded by the Bill of Rights of the Constitution of the United States of America.  For example, we have freedom of speech, freedom of the press, freedom to assemble, freedom of conscience, and freedom of religion.  As Lutherans we may have an even greater appreciation of our freedoms than other Americans since we are also free in Christ (Galatians 5:1).  As Luther writes in his Treatise on Christian Liberty [The Freedom of a Christian], “A Christian is a perfectly free lord of all, subject to none,” and “A Christian is a perfectly dutiful servant of all, subject to all” (Dillenberger, John.  Martin Luther, 53).

    As our freedoms as U.S. citizens come from the Bill of Rights of the U.S. Constitution, so our freedom as Christians comes from the Word of God, the Bible.  Luther writes, “One thing, and only one thing, is necessary for Christian life, righteousness, and freedom.  That one is the most holy Word of God, the gospel of Christ” (54).  The word of God teaches two main doctrines: the Law and the Gospel.  On the one hand, the Law teaches us God’s holy will as summarized by the Ten Commandments, shows us that we are incapable of keeping His commandments, and, on account of our sins, condemns us to hell.  On the other hand, the Gospel tells us what God has done for us, promises forgiveness of sins, life, and salvation to everyone who believes in Jesus, and guides us by the commandments to do that which pleases God.  The Holy Spirit, working through God’s law and gospel, grants us faith in Jesus Christ.  “This is that Christian liberty, our faith, which does not induce us to live in idleness or wickedness but makes the law and works unnecessary for any man’s righteousness and salvation” (58-59).

    Through faith in the Gospel we become good before God and our works are also considered good, as good fruit comes from a good tree.  According to Luther, we do good works, not in order to earn salvation, but to fulfill God’s purpose for us by serving our fellow human beings as God in Christ has served us.  He writes:

        Hence, as our heavenly Father has in Christ freely come to our aid, we also ought freely to help our neighbor through our body and works, and each one should become as it were a Christ to the other that we may be Christs to one another and Christ may be the same in all, that is, that we may be truly Christians. (76)

    The month of July provides us with an excellent opportunity to be Christs to one another and to our community at the 4-H Fair Food Tent.  For 79 years God has given St. Peter Lutheran Church this unique opportunity to serve our community by providing meals to visitors to the 4-H Fair.  If you have not already done so, please sign up to volunteer, especially our younger and newer members.  By our service together at the fair we bear witness to our neighbors that Christ is alive and working in and through us.

See you in church and Sunday School  . . . and at the fair!