PERSPECTIVE

Don Atkin

CHRISTIAN LIBERTY

One person esteems one day above another; another esteems every day alike.  Let each be fully convinced in his own mind. He who observes the day, observes it to the Lord; and he who does not observe the day, to the Lord he does not observe it.  – Romans 14:5-6a.

The customs of the peoples are futile; for one cuts a tree from the forest, the work of the hands of the workman, with the ax.  They decorate it with silver and gold; they fasten it with nails and hammers so that it will not topple. 

They are upright, like a palm tree.  And they cannot speak; they must be carried, because they cannot go by themselves.  Do not be afraid of them, for they cannot do evil, nor can they do good. – Jeremiah 10:3-5.

The customs of the peoples are futile, without power.  The cannot do evil, nor can they do good.  They have only the power that we give to them. 

Jesus said, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.”

When we love God that fully and passionately, our decisions will reflect that love.

Augustine said, and Luther repeated,  “Love God and do as you please.”