FREEDOM TO DO GOOD!

Word from the Center
Written By Dr. Gregory Seltz

WORD FROM THE CENTER: MONDAY, JULY 7, 2025

Welcome to “Word from The Center” MONDAY, a devotional word from the Center of our faith, Jesus Christ, with reflections on His Word. Today’s reading is Galatians 6:9-10, where the Bible says,

9 Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. 10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.

FREEDOM TO DO GOOD!

Would you agree with me that there is a weariness in our culture today, especially for those who try to reflect biblical values in their lives? When Christians “speak the truth in love” (Ephesians 4:15), our culture often responds by refusing to acknowledge any limitation on one’s lifestyle and ridiculing the notion of their being any accountability concerning the biblical view of truth, love, morality, or, for that matter, even life. What has been ramping up the last few years (and this is a strategic thing for the “secular-pietistic-statists” in our midst) is the public shaming, demonization, intimidation, and even legal punishments for those who merely confess Christ, His grace, His mercy, His love, and His service to and for all. In that sense, it is a different time in America. The notion that we are “freed to serve” others on God’s terms has been recast as, “Free to do whatever I want unless you can stop me.” And those of us with a proper sense of our own sin, brokenness, and need for grace realize that two “freedoms” are at work in our culture today. One is real freedom; the other counterfeit. One freedom flows from a grace relationship with God in Christ strives to freely do what is right in God’s eyes. The other is license to do whatever we please on our own terms, as if the solutions to our deepest problems were within our grasp.

In the book of Galatians, St. Paul instructs us in the power of authentic freedom which comes from Christ’s life, death, and resurrection, and it is offered to all as a gift of grace (Galatians 5:1, 13). In our passage today, Paul reminds us that this authentic freedom has real purpose in this life -- it is a freedom to serve. It is the joyful opportunity to reflect the gracious love we’ve received so that others might also come to know the real freedom that Christ has made possible for them. The power of this “good news” freedom enables you to live life with the enduring perspective that Christ has set you free now and on into eternity. That’s a freedom in Christ that’s always looking for ways to do good “as we have opportunity.” That’s a freedom active in love (Galatians 5:6), eagerly looking for ways to be His people for others until we reap the harvest of God’s work for us in Christ. Wow, that’s freedom IN ACTION by the power of His love and mercy, all received by faith alone!

So, on this July 4th weekend, be reminded of the fact that you need this love and the world needs it too. Because of the freedom that believers in Jesus have in Him, along with the gift of temporal freedom that God has granted citizens of this country, you have numerous opportunities to SHARE THIS LOVE! As believers, we “get to” shift our focus away from ourselves—which is hard to do, I’ll grant you. But we can, because Christ always has His gracious, loving eyes on us. He enables and empowers us to face whatever we are up against today. This allows us to see more clearly the opportunities for love and service that are presented to us each day.

In Christ, YOU ARE FREE FROM being ruled by your burdens and YOU ARE FREE FOR doing good to others, all to the glory of God. So, take up the challenge to do good, as you “have opportunity,” not because you have to, but because you get to. Remember these things as well: money can’t give life meaning; power and prestige, even education and technology, can be both a blessing and a curse. But living each day in the freedom that comes by faith in Christ, and then looking for ways to love and serve those whom God brings into your path, that’s a way of life that endures forever. Freedom provides opportunities to do good work. In Christ, look for those things today. Others will be blessed that you do, and so will you!

PRAYER: Dear Lord Jesus, help us to be ready to do good as we have opportunity, to share the love and grace we’ve received so abundantly from You. AMEN

Other Devotions
MAN, THAT’S LIVING!
MAN, THAT’S LIVING!

Today’s reading is Colossians 2:6-8, where the Bible says,   

 So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, 7 rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness. 8 See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on Christ.

THE ONE THING NEEDED IS PROVIDED!
THE ONE THING NEEDED IS PROVIDED!

Today’s reading is Luke 10:38-42, where the Bible says,    

As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. 39 She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. 40 But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!”

41 “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “You are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.”

BE A NEIGHBOR BECAUSE WE HAVE A SAVIOR
BE A NEIGHBOR BECAUSE WE HAVE A SAVIOR

Today’s reading is Luke 10:30-37, where Jesus responds to the question, “Who is my neighbor?”    

30 In reply Jesus said: “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he was attacked by robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. 31 A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. 32 So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. 33 But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. 34 He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him. 35 The next day he took out two denariic and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’ he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.’

36 “Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?”

37 The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.”

Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.”

FREEDOM TO DO GOOD!
FREEDOM TO DO GOOD!

Today’s reading is Galatians 6:9-10, where the Bible says,   

9 Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. 10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.

FOR FREEDOM TO ENDURE - THERE’S A PRICE TO BE PAID!
FOR FREEDOM TO ENDURE - THERE’S A PRICE TO BE PAID!

Today’s reading is Galatians 5:1, where the Bible says,   

“It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.”

THE ONLY IDENTITY THAT OVERCOMES, BONDS, AND HOLDS
THE ONLY IDENTITY THAT OVERCOMES, BONDS, AND HOLDS

Today’s reading is Galatians 3:26-29, where the Bible says,   

26 So, in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith, 27 for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.

A BRIDGED GAP CAN STAND IN THE GAP!
A BRIDGED GAP CAN STAND IN THE GAP!

Today’s verses are 2nd Corinthians 5:19-20, where St. Paul says, 

19 That God was in Christ reconciling the world unto Himself, not counting man’s sins against them. And He has committed to us this ministry of reconciliation, 20 for we are God’s ambassadors, as though were making His appeal through us, be reconciled to God!

HIS ASCENSION, YOUR EMPOWERMENT!
HIS ASCENSION, YOUR EMPOWERMENT!

Today’s reading is Acts 1:7-11 which begins with Jesus telling His disciples,
“It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority.8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

9 After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight. 10 They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. 11 “Men of Galilee,” they said, “why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.”

CALM IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STORM!
CALM IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STORM!

Today’s reading is John 16:31-33, where Jesus says,   

31 “Do you now believe?” Jesus replied. 32 “A time is coming and in fact has come when you will be scattered, each to your own home. You will leave me all alone. Yet I am not alone, for my Father is with me.

33 “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

A NEW COMMAND? BETTER, A NEW OPPORTUNITY!
A NEW COMMAND? BETTER, A NEW OPPORTUNITY!

Today’s reading is John 13:34-35, where Jesus says,   

“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. 35 By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

SEEING THINGS FROM GOD’S “MISSION-VICTORY” POINT OF VIEW!
SEEING THINGS FROM GOD’S “MISSION-VICTORY” POINT OF VIEW!

Today’s reading is Revelation 7:9-10, where the Apostle John tells us,   

After these things I looked, and behold, I saw a great multitude, which no one could count, from every nation and all tribes and peoples and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, and palm branches were in their hands; 10 and they cry out with a loud voice, saying, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb.”

JESUS, A SAVIOR FOR ALL THE “PETERS” OUT THERE!
JESUS, A SAVIOR FOR ALL THE “PETERS” OUT THERE!

Today’s reading is these portions of John 21:15–19, beginning with Jesus asking Simon Peter,    

“Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.”16 Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you love me? ”He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you. ”Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.” 17 The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my sheep….. 19… Then he said to him, “Follow me!”

“SEEING-BELIEVING” OR “BELIEVING-SEEING?”
“SEEING-BELIEVING” OR “BELIEVING-SEEING?”

Today’s reading is John 20: 28-29, where the Bible says,   

Thomas said to Jesus, “My Lord and my God!”29 Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”

 

FOR WHAT REALLY MATTERS – LOOK HERE!
FOR WHAT REALLY MATTERS – LOOK HERE!

Today’s reading is from Luke 24:5-7, where angels speak these words to the women at Jesus’ empty tomb:   

Why do you look for the living among the dead? 6 He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee, 7 “The Son of Man must be delivered over to the hands of sinners, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.”

WHAT THE WORLD NEEDS NOW – CHRIST’S “SPIRITUAL FIRST RESPONDERS!”
WHAT THE WORLD NEEDS NOW – CHRIST’S “SPIRITUAL FIRST RESPONDERS!”

Today’s reading is Philippians 2:5-8, where the Bible says,

Have this mind among yourselves, which is your in Christ Jesus, 6who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. 8And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.

THINGS AREN’T ALWAYS AS THEY SEEM!
THINGS AREN’T ALWAYS AS THEY SEEM!

Today’s reading is Luke 20:17b-18, where Jesus says,   

17 …. What then is this that is written: “THE STONE WHICH THE BUILDERS REJECTED, THIS BECAME THE CHIEF CORNER STONE?” 18 Everyone who falls on that stone will be broken to pieces; but on whomever it falls, it will scatter him like dust.

RECONCILED RECONCILERS!
RECONCILED RECONCILERS!

Today’s reading is 2 Corinthians 5:17-19, where the Scripture says,  

17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! 18 All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: 19 that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation.

POWERFUL REMINDERS, POWERFUL INVITATIONS!
POWERFUL REMINDERS, POWERFUL INVITATIONS!

Today’s reading is 1st Corinthians 10:11-13, where the Scripture says,   

11 These things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings for us, on whom the culmination of the ages has come. 12 So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall! 13 No temptation] has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.

ULTIMATE CITIZENSHIP!
ULTIMATE CITIZENSHIP!

Today’s reading is Philippians 3:20-21, where the Scripture says,   

20 But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21 who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.

WHERE REAL SPLENDOR LIES!
WHERE REAL SPLENDOR LIES!

Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, left the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, 2 where for forty days he was tempted by the devil…. 5 The devil led him up to a high place and showed him in an instant all the kingdoms of the world. 6 And he said to him, “I will give you all their authority and splendor; it has been given to me, and I can give it to anyone I want to. 7 If you worship me, it will all be yours.”8 Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God and serve him only.’”

OVERWHELMED BY JESUS – GRACE IS LIKE THAT!
OVERWHELMED BY JESUS – GRACE IS LIKE THAT!

32 Peter and his companions were very sleepy, but when they became fully awake, they saw  [Jesus’] glory and the two men standing with him. 33 As the men were leaving Jesus, Peter said to him, “Master, it is good for us to be here. Let us put up three shelters—one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.” (He did not know what he was saying.)

WHAT OTHERS MEANT FOR EVIL!
WHAT OTHERS MEANT FOR EVIL!

3 Joseph said to his brothers, “I am Joseph! Is my father still living?” But his brothers were not able to answer him, because they were terrified at his presence.4 Then Joseph said to his brothers, “Come close to me.” When they had done so, he said, “I am your brother Joseph, the one you sold into Egypt! 5 And now, do not be distressed and do not be angry with yourselves for selling me here, because it was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you. 6 For two years now there has been famine in the land, and for the next five years there will be no plowing and reaping. 7 But God sent me ahead of you to preserve for you a remnant on earth and to save your lives by a great deliverance.

Genesis 45:3-7

LOOK WHERE TRUE BLESSINGS ARE TO BE FOUND!
LOOK WHERE TRUE BLESSINGS ARE TO BE FOUND!

“Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God.21 Blessed are you who hunger now, for you will be satisfied. Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh.22 Blessed are you when people hate you, when they exclude you and insult you and reject your name as evil, because of the Son of Man. 23 “Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, because great is your reward in heaven.

Luke 6:20-23

Take Jesus at His Word!
Take Jesus at His Word!

4 When [Jesus] had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.” 5 Simon answered, “Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets.” 6 When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break…..8 When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus’ knees and said, “Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!”…10 Then Jesus said to Simon, “Don’t be afraid; from now on you will fish for people.” 11 So they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed him.

Luke 5:4-11

GOD’S WORD IS ALWAYS MORE THAN ENOUGH!
GOD’S WORD IS ALWAYS MORE THAN ENOUGH!

The word of the Lord came to me, saying 5 “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.” 6 “Alas, Sovereign Lord,” I said, “I do not know how to speak; I am too young.” 7 But the Lord said to me, “Do not say, ‘I am too young.’ You must go to everyone I send you to and say whatever I command you. 8 Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you and will rescue you,” declares the Lord. 9 Then the Lord reached out his hand and touched my mouth and said to me, “I have put my words in your mouth. 10 See, today I appoint you over nations and kingdoms to uproot and tear down, to destroy and overthrow, to build and to plant.”

Jeremiah 1:4-10

IN CHRIST, THERE’S FREEDOM….FREEDOM THAT LASTS! (Copy)
IN CHRIST, THERE’S FREEDOM….FREEDOM THAT LASTS! (Copy)

We are told to be at peace, for Jesus is Lord. I get that. But don't let it be the kind of peace that serves as a sedative, the kind of peace that puts you to sleep while it is still day, and there is work to do. Christ remains on the throne, but that fact should stir us all the more to do good, and that means, on a day like today, in the political arena. The fact that Jesus is King should not lead us to complacency, but to the boldness that our Lord has our backs, now and into eternity. Knowing that our future is secure, here and now we defend our neighbor, including our littlest neighbor in the womb. Today we defend our right to speak the truth, and not just inside of church walls.

IN CHRIST, THERE’S FREEDOM….FREEDOM THAT LASTS!
IN CHRIST, THERE’S FREEDOM….FREEDOM THAT LASTS!

It was a Sabbath day long ago in Nazareth. Jesus stood up, read a portion of the Bible from Isaiah, and then said that all of these things were now fulfilled IN HIM. Wow, what a synagogue service that must have been! He said that God the Father had sent Him to proclaim good news to the poor, liberty to the captives, recovery of sight to the blind, liberty to those who were oppressed, and to announce the year of the Lord’s favor. What’s even more amazing is that He brought all those blessings with Him, along with God’s eternal freedom, riches, and redemption, to all who believe.

Jesus -- He Brings Real Celebration to Life!
Jesus -- He Brings Real Celebration to Life!

I love that title, don’t you? In a nutshell, it says what faith in Jesus is all about. He is “the way, the truth, and the life” (John 14:6), and faith in Him brings His way, truth, and life to our lives as gifts of His grace. Wow! This call to faith is an invitation to receive life, His abundant life, as a gift. That’s what we see in this first miracle of Jesus’ public ministry. Amidst Christ’s purposeful walk to Calvary to become God’s redemptive sacrifice for sin, He stops by at a wedding, a small-town wedding at that.

An “All the Way” Savior -- That’s What We Need!
An “All the Way” Savior -- That’s What We Need!

Substitution. That’s a biblical truth that really hits home for me today. Why? There are times in my life when I realize that my best efforts just aren’t good enough; my heartfelt tries still miss the mark. Something just isn’t right, and it doesn’t seem that I can overcome the problem at all. It’s like I’m trying to swim, but the cold waters are numbing my limbs and preventing me from staying afloat; or the waves of warm waters are pounding me to the ocean’s depths, preventing me from gasping the air I so desperately need. At times like those, one needs help from above, help from outside. What an incredible thing it is when, just at that moment, someone else jumps in and faces the destructive power of the water so that I might come out of it alive and well. Substitution. It matters when your life depends on it.

FOR WHOM ARE YOU LOOKING? THAT QUESTION REALLY MATTERS!
FOR WHOM ARE YOU LOOKING? THAT QUESTION REALLY MATTERS!

The Epiphany Season follows the festival of Christmas because this question needs to be asked: “Do you know who this Jesus really is, who He is for you?” Epiphany’s goal is to make that “manifestly” clear. He is your Lord, your Savior, and your “all in all” for life and salvation.

 

The account of the Wise Men traveling to seek out the young child Jesus is an awesome event! It should cause us to pause today and think about the nature and extent of this child’s work in the world. Jesus was laid in a manger in the small town of Bethlehem (Luke 2:4-7); He was Jewish by birth. Yet from the very beginning, His life, death, and resurrection were meant to be a blessing to all people (see Luke 2:32). In today’s lesson one sees that God has ways of drawing people to Jesus from virtually everywhere. He makes His promises, grace, and blessings “findable.” In fact, our God loves to be found (see Isaiah 55:6; 65:1), especially when that means finding His grace and forgiveness in Christ. The point for us today might indeed be to keep looking for and focusing upon what really matters.

Dr. Gregory Seltz
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