Walking Worthily
For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: “You shall love your neighbour as yourself.”
Galatians 5:13-14
The Augsburg Confession makes it clear that we are not saved by our own strength, merits or works, but we are saved for Christ’s sake, through faith when we believe that we are received into favour and that our sins are forgiven for Christ’s sake. This life-giving teaching of the Scriptures gives hope and transforms our lives. That’s why the Augsburg Confession goes on to say that this faith, which grasps hold of Jesus, is bound to bring forth good fruit, even going so far as to say it is necessary to do good works commanded by God because of God’s will.
St Peter reminds us to ‘Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God. Honour everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the emperor.’ (1 Peter 2:16-17)
This world in which we are called to serve as God’s people is broken by sin. We see hatred and division, abuse and suffering, darkness and discord everywhere we look. Even in our institutions we have witnessed terrible mistreatment of the vulnerable and much pain and suffering.
As Christians, we know that Jesus came to defeat sin, death and the devil. Through his death and resurrection, he has redeemed us and set us free from slavery to sin and brought us out into his glorious light.
We are called to live in the freedom that Christ won for us on the cross – to live as people of the light, who are free to love and serve our neighbours. We are called to protect the vulnerable. In Ephesians 4, Paul urges us to live lives worthy of that calling “with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love”.
We all have vocations – callings – to share the good news and love of Christ in our families, with our friends, in our workplaces. Often we serve in our congregations, caring for each other and people in the wider community.
Pastors, teachers and other church workers are called to a high standard. The apostles echo the teaching of Jesus throughout the New Testament - Christian leaders are to set an example to the faithful and pursue lives of godly conduct - in word and deed, in relationship with others, and in self-control.
Lutheran Mission – Australia has developed the ‘Walking Worthily’ Code of Conduct as a clear explanation of who we are as God’s people and how we are to live out our calling.
As Luther encourages in the Small Catechism’s Table of Duties, we should obey civil authority, which in Australia includes meeting the Child Safe standards. While these are government standards, they also reflect closely our calling to protect children and other vulnerable people in our communities.
As humans still living in this fallen world, we all fall short of the glory of God, and fail to keep his commands. When we struggle with sin, we know that God is gracious and will forgive us and restore us through His great love. Wherever possible, we seek to bring reconciliation with God and with others, by calling people to repentance, and working to restore relationships. At the same time, we should avoid evil and uphold good, doing everything we can to protect others from harm and suffering.
Obeying civil authority and upholding God’s Word, Lutheran Mission – Australia is committed to serving God and his people faithfully, in such a way that loves and protects the vulnerable, seeks to bring reconciliation with God and with each other, and glorifies our Father in heaven.
I commend the ‘Walking Worthily’ Code of Conduct and the Safe Ministry program to all members of Lutheran Mission – Australia and pray that as you regularly review these documents and strive to live out each aspect, your congregations are strengthened and become beacons of the Holy Spirit, bringing God’s light to the darkness of this world.
I … urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
Ephesians 4:1-3
In Christ
Pastor Matt Anker
President, Lutheran Mission – Australia