Thursday after the Twentieth Sunday after Trinity Sunday
Posted on October 21, 2021 by under
Scripture: St. Luke 6:43-49 (NKJV)
6:43 “For a good tree does not bear bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit. 44 For every tree is known by its own fruit. For men do not gather figs from thorns, nor do they gather grapes from a bramble bush. 45 A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth evil. For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.
46 “But why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do the things which I say? 47 Whoever comes to Me, and hears My sayings and does them, I will show you whom he is like: 48 He is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock. And when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently against that house, and could not shake it, for it was founded on the rock. 49 But he who heard and did nothing is like a man who built a house on the earth without a foundation, against which the stream beat vehemently; and immediately it fell. And the ruin of that house was great.”
Devotion
“Why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do the things which I say?”
Our Lord was often very direct about exposing the hypocrisy of sinful hearts. The rebellious false teachers were focused on their own will, which was unfortunate enough. But they were also pretentious and manipulative. They wanted to seem righteous and respectful even though they despised what Jesus said and did.
Our fruits and our labors show what is in our heart, whether or not we want them to. Sin manifests itself in what we do and in what we leave undone. Similarly, little things can show what’s in our hearts as much as big efforts. Giving a cup of cold water can be a kind and faithful gesture; but grand prayers and sacrifices can actually be wicked, self-condemning acts.
When our Lord calls us to repent of the rebellion and hypocrisy that comes from our sinful hearts He is not being hateful toward us. He is showing His loving desire that we repent, be truly faithful, and let His Spirit accomplish in us those thoughts, words, and deeds that are truly pious and loving. Pretense may fool other people, but the Lord knows whether or not we have a proper foundation. He wants to save us from the collapse and ruin that self-will causes. It is truly a blessing that God can see our hearts and teach us to repent and be faithful, because only He can help us and set us on the solid foundation of faith in Jesus Christ.
Prayer: Grant, we beseech Thee, Merciful Lord, to Thy faithful people pardon and peace, that they may be cleansed from all their sins, and serve Thee with a quiet mind; through Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, ever One God, world without end. Amen.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
