We
have the “right to speak”, but not the “right to enforce”. We
should preach the Word, but the results must be solely left to God …
Faith must come freely without coercion. No way!
…
we
have no greater enemy than our own heart. God's reign is not in
physical or outward objects, those things we are able to touch or
sense, but in faith … [we all must have] a firm trust that Christ,
the Son of God … has taken all our sins upon his shoulders …
[however] we are not all the same and we do not all have the same
amount of faith. The faith of one may be more robust than another.
…
we
should treat our neighbour as God has treated us … [I] urge you to
faith and love. I commend you to God.
…
there
are many doubtful matters which we cannot resolve or find the answer
to on our own … Confess to another person privately and hear the
absolution … [or] confess to God directly. It is a comforting
practice.
God
bless. Amen.
Picture credit: Martin Luther, c.1532, Lucas Cranach the Elder (source: WikiArt).
See The
Ninety-Five Theses and Other Writings (particularly Eight
Sermons in Lent, 1522) by Martin Luther, Penguin Classics (translated
by William R. Russell).
Written October 2022.
