2 Tim 2:15 "Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth."
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BLIND LEADING THE BLIND – WHO IS A GOOD MAN?
TUESDAY, MAY 26
Luke 6:37-45
Memory verse: Luke 6:45
“For every tree is known
by his own fruit.”
BLIND LEADING THE BLIND – WHO IS A GOOD MAN?
Nature is God’s perennial illustration of His existence and truth. In this parable of the Blind Leading the Blind, Jesus taught that a good (i.e. intrinsic goodness) tree cannot bring forth corrupt fruit and a corrupt tree cannot bring forth good fruit. The impossibility of the fruit-bearing is applicable to spiritual fruit-bearing. Man knows that every fruit tree is known by its own fruit. No man would gather figs from a thorny tree or grapes from a bramble bush. He would be foolish to do so!
Likewise, a good (i.e. intrinsically good but with a focus on his deeds) man from the good treasure of his heart will bring forth good fruit. (NOTE: The meaning of “good” is the same as in the “good man” above.) The evil man will bring forth the evil treasure of his heart, evil fruit! This truth is inviolable like the fruit trees.
No sinner begins with a good heart. All sinners are born with an evil heart and can only bring forth evil fruit. His good deeds may appear good to his fellow men but in God’s eyes, they are like filthy rags. He cannot by his “good works” enter heaven.
The Holy Spirit dwells in him after he is genuinely born again in Christ. He has been made good through the atoning work of Christ. The Spirit enables him to do holy work. Holy work is good work, for by the believer’s good work, people around them can see Christ in them and glorify God. Sinners glorify God when they become saints. God’s children glorify God when they are blessed by the believer’s good work. From the good heart flows forth good words and good works done according to Scriptures. Their counsel is based on God’s truth. All believers must experience this in their lives as a clear evidence of their salvation.
If a person’s life is not lived according to the Holy Scriptures and his counsel is unbiblical, then he is not God’s child. He has been led by the blind, for the gospel of the blind did not save him even though he might have believed it sincerely. Impacting others for Christ by our good works is why God saved us, left us behind, and has not brought us to heaven yet.
THOUGHT: Do good works characterise your heart and your life?
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, strengthen my faith in Thy Word, the Truth.