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LUKE - Christ, the Savior of the World
A Bible Study Course on the Gospel of Christ according to Luke
PART 3 - JESUS' MINISTRY IN GALILEE (Luke 4:14 - 9:50)
7. The Sermon on the Mount (Luke 6:20-49)
LUKE 6:43-46
43 For there is no good tree that brings forth rotten fruit; nor again a rotten tree that brings forth good fruit. 44 For each tree is known by its own fruit. For people don’t gather figs from thorns, nor do they gather grapes from a bramble bush. 45 The good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings out that which is good, and the evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings out that which is evil, for out of the abundance of the heart, his mouth speaks. 46 “Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and don’t do the things which I say?
Paul explained to us the meaning of the fruit of the flesh and the fruit of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:19-26). It goes without saying that no man is righteous, bearing good fruit. Do you know the unclean works even in a well-mannered, polite man? Did you detect rotten pride in the teachers of all religions? An ordinary man is corrupt before God, and is good for nothing. He is like an unfruitful tree, and should rather be cut down and thrown into the fire.
But when Christ purifies us with his word, and cleans our hearts with his blood, the power of the Holy Spirit dwells in us, and makes us good. In the humility of Christ’s love an unprofitable man becomes profitable, for the Lord’s joy and peace urge us to be patient. Study the fruits of the Holy Spirit attentively, and then you will know what the Lord is willing to do to you.
Do not deceive yourself! No one is good in himself. All have turned aside, together become corrupt, and lost the glory of God freely offered to them. Of course, if your compare yourself with others, you will be neither worse, nor better than they are. But if you take Christ as a measure for your life, you will certainly see the truth of your condition. The teaching that man is good is the greatest deception in the present and in the past. The devil insinuates this deception into churches, religions, philosophies, and schools; as if man is capable by himself of cultivation and correction. Man, at his best, is in fact like a tamed beast. But within, he is filled with rejection of good, hatred, and spite.
There is none good but God, Christ, and the Holy Spirit and those who crucify their selfishness in repentance that they may be filled with the love of the Eternal One. The goodness in a believer is not from himself, but comes from God. It is he who stimulates your talents, and calls up your powers that he may employ them in the fulfillment of his loving purposes.
Are you a good tree, or are you still a bad poisonous weed? You must know the answer your speech and from writing. What kind of speech comes out of you: love, purity, truthfulness, self-control, God’s word, or imaginations, lies, passion, mockery, and hatred? Examine yourself that you may know if you are fruitful, or condemned by God’s judgment.
Do you address Christ, your Lord? What is your behavior, that witnesses to your neighbors that Jesus is your Lord and King? Do you carry out his will? Do you magnify his power in your weakness? How do you submit to his love? Are you really controlled by his Spirit? Christ wants you to realize your faith practically, for faith without works is of no avail. But when Christ is centered in your heart, you become meek, good, and chaste, not by your own ability, but by your Lord’s power.
Faith without good works is dead, but the love of God overcomes our weaknesses. We believe that Christ newly creates us, and we experience his sanctification, for God himself can make us perfect, blameless, and established in love until the forthcoming advent of Christ.
PRAYER: O Lord, I am an unprofitable servant. Please do not reject me, but change my mind towards your truth, and fill my heart with your mercy, so that I may thank you for establishing me in you, and that I may bear much fruit, and magnify you, for your salvation is our living hope.
QUESTION 54: Who is righteous?