Learning righteousness
by Colleen Fitzpatrick
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‘For when your judgements are in the earth, the inhabitants of the world learn righteousness’ (Isaiah 26:9b).
‘God grows us as his people to a mature faith in Christ – a faith that comes to life through effective witness and ministry so that people everywhere may know Christ and his love’ (from the mission statement of the Lutheran Church of Australia and New Zealand [LCA/NZ]).
‘Lutheran aged and community services are an integral part of the Lutheran Church of Australia’s mission and ministry, as we work to transform the lives of those with whom we work’ (from ‘Called to transformative action – the ethos underpinning Lutheran aged care and community services’).
As Christians, we are the carriers of God’s transformation into the world. Those of us who are members of the LCA/NZ strive to be committed to witness and ministry that will bring the knowledge of Christ and his love to people everywhere. Our aged care and community services are founded on the notion of transforming peoples’ lives through their work.
Do you think about that when you see the LCA and LCNZ logos with the words ‘Where love comes to life’ underneath? I believe that we need to actively seek ways to transform the world, and we can do that by learning to act righteously.
Isaiah writes about judgement and hope. The hope is that God can make everything new. This is a gift to us; however, with the gift of hope comes the responsibility of seeking righteousness in all that we do and say – it is the witness of our actions, thoughts and words that underpin the new world for which we yearn. It’s a world characterised by inclusiveness, neighbourliness and love.
Thankfully we don’t need to transform the world on our own. We are part of a much wider community, or communion as it is sometimes called. Hence, when we talk about the ‘communion of saints’, we are reminded that we are working in partnership with our fellow Christians, including those who are alive today and those dear ones who are already in their eternal home. It is not a lonely journey.
Isaiah includes the promise that the way of the righteous is level (verse 7). May we find that level path as we bring Christ’s love to life in our family and community.
Transforming God, work in us so that we can further the cause of justice in the world. Give us hope that our efforts, which may seem insignificant, are important and for our faith to continue. Amen.
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