St John Valmy - 15th Sunday After Pentecost - 9:00 AM - September 1, 2024

15th Sunday After Pentecost - 9:00 AM - September 1, 2024
THEME OF THE DAY - We Obey God’s Law from the Heart
A loving father gives his son and daughter chores, curfews, civilities, a dress code-the
father makes his will clearly known. The son strives to follow the rules for two reasons: 1) He
wants to get his allowance; 2) He is afraid that if he breaks the rules, his father will punish
him. The daughter strives to follow the rules, also for two reasons: 1) She believes her father
established those rules not to control her but for her safety and blessing; 2) She wants to
demonstrate how much she loves and trusts her father. Their actions look almost identical.
Their hearts are very different.
Following Christ is not simply a matter of outward observance of laws. It is a matter of the
heart. Christ seeks followership that flows from hearts that have been transformed by God’s
law and gospel. Christ wants his followers to be less like the son described above, and more
like the daughter. Followers of Christ obey his law from the heart.
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