Wednesday’s Verse:
From Romans 13:10 ESV
“Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore, love is the fulfilling of the law.”
There is no one on the road. While there is no speed limit sign, you know you’re capped at traveling 35. Then you realize there are no cops around. You think about it for a moment: Do you follow the law and drive the known speed limit, or do you put the pedal to the metal and gun it?
We apply this to every aspect of our lives. Doing good is the basis of our lives on earth. Even if no one is looking over our shoulders, our consciences move us to keep doing what our Lord desires, in keeping with the earthly law.
Lutherans believe that God's law helps us live our lives. It also shows us our sins. We all have moments where we think, "What can I get away with?" not "How can I help my neighbor?". We are all guilty before God.
It's not our track record that we should place our faith in, but in Jesus Christ. He has paid for our sins through his death and resurrection. So we no longer have to live up to God's standard. We want to follow God's commands not to gain his love, but because we have it in Christ.
So, today, slow down and live an honest life. Live by the commandment that will help someone else, even if they don't know you helped them. Man's law can be challenged if it does not allow you to love your neighbor. Not allowing yourself to be accountable to God's commands is not Christian freedom.
Today’s Prayers
Lord, please forgive us for the times we cheat in the various parts of our lives. Help us remember that we are saved by Christ and that we love our neighbors, whether anyone knows about it or not. Amen.
Apostles’ Creed:
I believe in God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth.
And in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried. He descended into hell. The third day He rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty. From thence He will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Christian Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
The Lord’s Prayer:
Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name, Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven; give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever. Amen.
Luther’s Morning Prayer:
I thank You, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, Your dear Son, that You have kept me this night from all harm and danger; and I pray that You would keep me this day also from sin and every evil, that all my doings and life may please You. For into Your hands, I commend myself, my body and soul, and all things. Let Your holy angel be with me, that the evil foe may have no power over me. Amen.
Image above was created by Gemini (gemini.google.com).