October 30, 2015

“If I proclaim the gospel, this gives me no ground for boasting, for an obligation is laid on me, and woe to me if I do not proclaim the gospel! For if I do this of my own will, I have a reward; but if not of my own will, I am entrusted with a commission. What then is my reward? Just this: that in my proclamation I may make the gospel free of charge, so as not to make full use of my rights in the gospel. For though I am free with respect to all, I have made myself a slave to all, so that I might win more of them.” 1 Corinthians 9:16-19

“To make the way smoother for the unlearned—for only them do I serve—I shall set down the following two propositions concerning the freedom and the bondage of the spirit:

A Christian is a perfectly free lord of all, subject to none.
A Christian is a perfectly dutiful servant of all, subject to all.

These two theses seem to contradict each other. If, however, they should be found to fit together they would serve our purpose beautifully. Love by its very nature is ready to serve and be subject to him who is loved.” Martin Luther (1483-1546) The Freedom of a Christian, 1520, “For All The Saints” volume II, (p. 977)

As Christians, we are free from any kind of necessity to earn our righteousness or work our way to heaven. This is not the gospel of Jesus Christ. As Christians the work has been done by Christ – so we are free, subject to nothing. But if the thought ended there, we would be so much poorer as people of faith. Yes we are subject to no one and no thing, and yet we are subject to all people, and to all things as servants.

The Pope came to America with a message — three needs for us to consider – three areas that require each one of us to consider what we are doing to address them:

1. Income inequality
2. Refugees
3. The environment including climate change.

We could say, “There are programs to serve those needs”. And that is true. But that reality does not release us from our obligation to do something on our own to help bring about more equal pay for all, assistance for refugees, and caring for our environment.

They say it takes a village to raise a child. I would also say that It takes the church, both locally and globally, those disciples of Jesus and other kinds of disciples to bring about justice and peace for all people.

Pastor Dave