MEDITATION:
Written by Martin Luther (1483-1546), a German professor of theology, priest, author, composer, Augustinian monk, and seminal figure in the Reformation.
The following statements are therefore true: “Good works do not make a good [person], but a good [person] does good works; evil works do not make a wicked [person], but a wicked [person] does evil works.” Consequently, it is always necessary that the substance or person…be good before there can be any good works, and that good works follow and proceed from the good person, as Christ also says, “A good tree cannot bear evil fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit” (MT 7:18). It is clear that the fruits do not bear the tree and that the tree does not grow on the fruits, also that, on the contrary, the trees bear the fruits and the fruits grow on the trees. As it is necessary, therefore, that the trees exist before their fruits and the fruits do not make trees either good or bad, but rather as the trees are, so are the fruits they bear; so a [person] must first be good or wicked before he [or she] does a good or wicked work.
PRAYER:
Written by Erwin Lutzer, a contemporary Christian speaker, broadcaster, and author.
Father, I pray that You might enable me to “abide in You;” that is, rest in Your provision and love. I pray that I might not only bear fruit, but much fruit for Your glory. May I not be a branch that is barren, a branch that is “thrown into the fire.” Help us to confess every sin that stands in the way of abiding in Your promises. Help us to simply be clean vessels that rest in Your spiritual resources and strength. Amen.
Pathways Press.com 