kneeling fisherman

kneeling fisherman

Thursday, July 4, 2019

What your freedom is for


“For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.”  Paul in Galatians 5.13

“Owe no one anything, except to love each other, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law.”  Paul in Romans 13.8

A Christian is a perfectly free lord of all, subject to none.
A Christian is a perfectly dutiful servant of all, subject to all. - Martin Luther in “The Freedom of a Christian”

Prayer:
Gracious and almighty Father, this is the day that you have made
And we rejoice in it.
Thank you... for creating us for freedom in your creation.
Thank you for granting us true freedom in Jesus Christ,
And for enabling us to keep your law in freedom and love.
Thank you!
Repent us of shallow celebration and poor stewardship of this freedom; of neglecting our responsibilities, abusing our privileges, and of remaining silent when you call us to speak.
Keep us from the selfishness that stifles freedom,
From the narrow-mindedness that limits freedom,
From the hatred that destroys freedom.

Enable us and people everywhere
To live under free government,
To hear your Word,
And to know true freedom in Jesus Christ, our Lord,
In whose name we pray.  Amen.    (from “Lutheran Book of Prayer”, Concordia, St. Louis, 1970)

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