Giants of the Reformation (2)

For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. Galatians 5.13

The Freedom of a Christian
Martin Luther (1483-1546)
“Although the Christian is thus free from all works, he ought in this liberty to empty himself, take upon himself the form of a servant, be made in the likeness of men, be found in human form, and to serve, help, and in every way deal with his neighbor as he sees that God through Christ has dealt and still deals with him. This he should do freely, having regard for nothing but divine approval.”

Jesus Christ was the freest Person who ever lived. In the freedom of His Deity and love, He served. How hard is that to understand? If this is what Jesus did, it’s what we must expect of ourselves, and it’s what pastors must strive to realize through their ministries. When churches are abounding in good works – the fruit of faithful preaching and teaching – they will attract the world to the Lord (cf. Mic. 4.1-8). We are not Christians just because we say or think we are; we are Christians because all men can see the love of Christ at work within and through us (Jn. 13.35). Free from mere self-interest and self-love, we will stand out in this narcissistic age as people who embody the love of Jesus by their self-denying works for others. Then are we truly free, and in our freedom, we can show the way to others from the chains of self and the world.

What’s the difference between being free “from” works to being free “for” them? How can you encourage your people to greater flourishing in good works?

T. M. Moore

If Men Will Pray
Certainly, if we can increase prayer among the members of our churches, good works should increase as well. Paul explicitly declared that men everywhere should lift holy hands in prayer, so that the Gospel could flourish (1 Tim. 2.1-8). So how is it with the men of your church? Are they men of prayer? Do they take no rest, and give God no rest, seeking Him in prayer? Men at Prayer provides resources for you to use in enlisting, equipping, and encouraging your men for prayer. Watch this brief video, then begin developing a strategy for leading the men of your church to take their place on the wall, seeking the Lord for revival, renewal, and awakening in our day. If you need helping thinking this through, or you’d like to talk about this effort, send me an email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

The Fellowship of Ailbe is supported through the generous and faithful gifts of those who benefit from and believe in our work. Does the Lord want to use you in this way? Please look to Him in prayer over this question. You can contribute to The Fellowship of Ailbe by using the Contribute button at our website, or by sending your gift to The Fellowship of Ailbe, 19 Tyler Drive, Essex Junction, VT 05452. Thank you.

Except as indicated, Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.All quotations from Martin Luther, The Freedom of a Christianin John Dillenberger, ed., Martin Luther: Selections from His Writings(New York: Doubleday, 1962).