John 8:34-36

“So if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed.” vs. 36

In his treatise, “The Freedom of the Christian,” Martin Luther famously wrote, “A Christian is the most free lord of all, subject to none. A Christian is the most dutiful servant of all, subject to everyone.” Those words sum up the paradoxical nature of our life as followers of Jesus, and provide a corrective to those who believe that being free in Christ means that we can do whatever we please. It is true that Jesus has set us free from having to obey the works of the law, but more importantly he has set us free to be the remarkable persons that God has created us to be. Sin is no longer an excuse for inaction–its burdens have been removed. All the talents and abilities that have been programmed into our DNA are available for our use as we work together as servants in building the kingdom of peace. There is nothing to hold us back! Of course that doesn’t mean that there are no obstacles or barriers in our lives. Sin is still hanging around and its companion, self-doubt, is always present to keep us from realizing our full potential. We’ll be wrestling those enemies until the day we die, but they no longer have any power over us. We have been set free in Christ and are daily empowered by the Spirit to be a transforming presence in whatever place we have been planted. This is most certainly true!

Thought for the Day: How am I being a transforming presence?