Giants of the Reformation (3)

Jesus said to him, “If I will that he remain till I come, what is that to you? You follow Me.” John 21.22

The Freedom of a Christian
Martin Luther (1483-1546)
“Each one should do the works of his profession and station, not that by them he strive after righteousness, but that through them he may keep his body under control, be an example to others who also need to keep their bodies under control, and finally that by such works he may submit his will to that of others in the freedom of love.”

Luther repeatedly emphasized that good works do not produce righteousness. They are the fruit of faith, which itself is our righteousness, and enable us to live in the freedom we have in Jesus Christ. Each Christian will have works to do appropriate to his or her place and calling in life. Each of us has been sent into the world as Jesus was sent, to embody, proclaim, and bring near the Kingdom of God to the people in our Personal Mission Field (Jn. 20.21). This will require different works for each of us, depending on our calling and the people we encounter there. We must learn what these are and, through faith and obedience, practice them faithfully, for the sake of others and the glory of God. The challenge to shepherds is to understand the callings of those in their flock, and to equip each one to follow Jesus and fulfill His calling.

Is it possible to equip God’s people to live the requirements of love in their own callings and places? What does that require of you?

T. M. Moore

Mission Partners Outreach
The Lord calls all His sheep to live out their faith by being His witnesses; but being a witness for Christ doesn’t just happen. The flock of the Lord must be equipped for this calling, and Jesus has set shepherds over the flock to do that work. How can we equip the sheep to live for Christ and be His witnesses? Our Mission Partners Outreach provides the resources and framework for making witness-bearing disciples in your church. Want to learn how it works? Watch this brief video, then contact me at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.for more information. I will take you through this discipleship training program and show you how to make it work in your church.

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).