Luke 6:37-49
37 “Judge not, and you will not be judged; condemn not, and you will not be condemned; forgive, and you will be forgiven; 38 give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.”
39 He also told them a parable: “Can a blind man lead a blind man? Will they not both fall into a pit? 40 A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone when he is fully trained will be like his teacher. 41 Why do you see the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? 42 How can you say to your brother, ‘Brother, let me take out the speck that is in your eye,’ when you yourself do not see the log that is in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take out the speck that is in your brother's eye.
43 “For no good tree bears bad fruit, nor again does a bad tree bear good fruit, 44 for each tree is known by its own fruit. For figs are not gathered from thornbushes, nor are grapes picked from a bramble bush. 45 The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil, for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.
46 “Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do what I tell you? 47 Everyone who comes to me and hears my words and does them, I will show you what he is like: 48 he is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock. And when a flood arose, the stream broke against that house and could not shake it, because it had been well built. 49 But the one who hears and does not do them is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. When the stream broke against it, immediately it fell, and the ruin of that house was great.”
Reflection
There is no such thing as a person who genuinely trusts in Jesus but fails to live in obedience to him (Luke 6:46). When God’s Spirit causes the gospel to truly break into our hearts, the good news of God’s grace changes the way we live. No longer are we enslaved to the desires of sin but instead our hearts begin to experience transformed desires that enable us to walk in obedience to our new Master (Rom. 6:17–18, 22). This does not mean that we are flawless in our desires or actions, but it does mean that our lives will increasingly reflect the reality of a changed heart (Luke 6:45).
Therefore, those who trust in Christ must labor to build their lives on the foundation of his words (vv. 47–48). In the end, these are the only people whose souls will be preserved through the trials of life and the final judgment of God (vv. 48–49).
Ephesians 5:1-14
5: Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. 2 And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
3 But sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints. 4 Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving. 5 For you may be sure of this, that everyone who is sexually immoral or impure, or who is covetous (that is, an idolater), has no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. 6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. 7 Therefore do not become partners with them; 8 for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light 9 (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), 10 and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord. 11 Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. 12 For it is shameful even to speak of the things that they do in secret. 13 But when anything is exposed by the light, it becomes visible, 14 for anything that becomes visible is light. Therefore it says,“Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.”
Reflection
Paul calls for obedience in the lives of the Ephesians, and he gives them two motivations: their present identity in Christ, and the future judgment of Christ. First, Paul tells the Ephesians to obey in light of their present identity as saints (Eph. 5:3) and as children of light (v. 8). Second, he calls them to obey because of the future wrath of God (v. 6) and the coming light of Christ (vv. 13–14).
Both of these motivations play an important role in the life of a Christian. The gospel empowers obedience by telling Christians that we presently have a new identity in Christ, even though we don’t deserve it. This removes the expectation that we must somehow earn God’s favor and therefore frees us to obey without fear of condemnation. Those who are truly trusting in the grace of Christ will turn from sin and pursue a life of obedience. Paul’s warning of the coming judgment motivates our obedience by reminding us that our lives must bear the fruit of genuine faith; we must demonstrate our trust in Christ with our obedience to him. Those who bear good fruit have no need to fear Christ’s judgment, but those who refuse to turn their lives from sin have no assurance of salvation.
Psalm 112:1
112: Praise the Lord! Blessed is the man who fears the Lord, who greatly delights in his commandments!
When God changes our hearts he gives us a desire for obedience and strengthens us to walk in his ways. Pray that God would place his desires within your heart so that you would delight to do his will.