"Who can even begin to comprehend the glory and riches of the Christian life? It can do all things and has all things and lacks nothing. It rules over sin, death, and hell and at the same time seeks to serve and benefit all people. Unfortunately, this type of life is unknown in our day. It is not preached about or sought after. Indeed, we are totally ignorant of our name and do not even know why we are Christians or bear that name. Now we ought to know that we are named after Christ—and not because he is absent but precisely because he dwells in our midst! Our trust in him means that we are Christs to one another and act toward our neighbors as Christ has acted toward us. But in our time of very human way of teaching sets the tone, telling us that the life of faith involves the seeking of merits and rewards. The result is that Christ is seen simply as a taskmaster who is far harsher than Moses." - Martin Luther, The Freedom of a Christian, 1520.
Written 495 years ago, does this describe how Christianity is preached today? Have you been taught that some things are just impossible, that you haven't "arrived" yet and are still lacking?* Do you hear today and believe that sin will continue to exercise power over you and that you will inevitably give into sin?** Has your pastor promoted a type of faith that seeks merits and rewards?***
Just food for thought....
Grace=Peace,
Jeremy
* Philipians 4:13; Colossians 2:10
**Romans 6:14
***Romans 4:5; Hebrews 4:3
No comments:
Post a Comment