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We are saints.  "May you be strengthened with all power according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy, giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light" (Colossians 1:11-12).  Does a saint live a holy or sensual life?

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We are sinners.  "The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?" (Jeremiah 17:9).  "All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23).  Does a forgiven sinner cling to his old Adam or start new in Christ each day?

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We are called by name.  "But now thus says the Lord, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine: (Isaiah 43:1).  Does one called by His name live as he pleases or in ways that bring gloy to God?

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We are not to be slaves to self, but heirs of God.  "So then, brothers, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh.  For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.  For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.  For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, 'Abba!  Father!'  The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs--heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him" (Romans 8:15).  Does the heir of God embrace a sexual identity or a holy identity?

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We are set apart as different. "What agreement has the temple of God with idols?  For we are the temple of the living God; as God said, 'I will make my dwelling among them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.  Therefore go out from their midst, and be separate from them, says the Lord, and touch no unclean thing; then I will welcome you, and I will be a father to you, and you shall be sons and daughters to me, says the Lord Almighty'" (2 Corinthians 6:16-18).  Does a person called to be uncommon (holy) live in a common way?  Treat himself or others in a common way? 

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We are vessels for honorable use.  "Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from what is dishonorable, he will be a vessel for honorable use, set apart as holy, useful to the master of the house, ready for every good work" (2 Timothy 2:21).  Who is the master of the house?  What is our good work?

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The Lord identifies us in His prayer: "Our Father Who is in heaven."

Martin Luther asks: What does this mean?  With these words God tenderly invites us to believe that He is our true Father and that we are His true children, so that with all boldness and confidence we may ask Him as dear children ask their dear father.

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Now consider the life to which our Lord calls us in the First Petition: "Hallowed be Thy  name." 

Luther asks: What does this mean?  God's name is certainly holy in itself, but we pray in this petition that it may be kept holy among us also.  How is God's name kept holy?  God's name is kept holy when the Word of God is taught in truth and purity, and we, as the children of God, also lead holy lives according to it.  Help us to do this, dear Father in heaven!  But anyone who teaches or lives contrary to God's Word profanes the name of God among us.  Protect us from this, heavenly Father!

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