Christians all have equal status before God. Those whose work is done at the church (or any work done at or for the church) is not better than other, secular, work. Faith in Jesus alone saves.

At the same time, Christians have different roles and duties before God. The work we do is different, but that doesn’t change our status. This Biblical point is a great comfort to those who may feel their work is unimportant. It also protects us from a subtle form of work-righteousness, suggesting that some jobs are better (more God-pleasing) than others.

In the quotation below, Martin Luther writes about what is the same and what is different among Christians. He references a few key passages which are listed for you at the end of the quotation.

"It follows from this argument that there is no true, basic difference between laymen and priests, princes and bishops, between religious and secular, except for the sake of office and work, but not for the sake of status. They are all of the spiritual estate, all are truly priests, bishops, and popes. But they do not all have the same work to do. Just as all priests and monks do not have the same work. This is the teaching of St. Paul in Romans 12[:4–5] and I Corinthians 12[:12] and in I Peter 2[:9], as I have said above, namely, that we are all one body of Christ the Head, and all members one of another. Christ does not have two different bodies, one temporal, the other spiritual. There is but one Head and one body.

Therefore, just as those who are now called “spiritual,” that is, priests, bishops, or popes, are neither different from other Christians nor superior to them, except that they are charged with the administration of the word of God and the sacraments, which is their work and office, so it is with the temporal authorities. They bear the sword and rod in their hand to punish the wicked and protect the good. A cobbler, a smith, a peasant—each has the work and office of his trade, and yet they are all alike consecrated priests and bishops. Further, everyone must benefit and serve every other by means of his own work or office so that in this way many kinds of work may be done for the bodily and spiritual welfare of the community, just as all the members of the body serve one another [I Cor. 12:14–26]."

Luther’s Works, vol. 44: The Christian in Society, Fortress Press, pages 129–130

Pastor Wempner

Pastor Zarling