Dear Disciple of Christ,
My plan for these devotions is to provide a brief introduction to the saint and his or her reflection of the day. I hope you’ll search out more from them online. I’ll list some of the questions that I believe are dealt with helpfully in the devotion or that I found worth pondering. It would be instructive for each of us to read some more about that author or about the perspectives the author raises. These are not just Lutheran disciples but disciples from many different denominations and ages of the church – back even to the earliest decades of the Church (thousands of years ago). The fact that the reflections touch my heart (and I hope, yours), suggests there is a seed or more of truth that speaks to sinners and saints of many generations.
Once again, the goal is not to “do” the devotion or “get it done.” Even as the other postings (“Faith Matters” provided daily) are pointing to the lessons and sermons and themes of next weekend, these “Faithful Friday” devotions have depth (I believe) that could form the basis for some reflection each day. May the Lord bless each of us as we use them for our own spiritual growth.
Peace in His service,
Pastor Johnson
Today’s writer: Rev. Andrew Murray (1828 – 1917) Founder of a Hugenot (French Protestant) seminiary and missionary training school in South Africa. He considered missions to be “the chief work of the church”. The fact that he was not a Lutheran might surprise some readers. Yes, I am still a Lutheran pastor (as I have been since 1975). But I have come to enjoy and thank God for the insights of “other” disciples. Clearly they must have had some insights of value since Lutherans have been around only about 25% of the time the Christian faith has been proclaimed (Lutherans and most Protestants “only” since 1517). It would make good brotherly sense for us to include in our prayers the 1.4 billion brothers and sisters in Christ in the Roman Catholic Church as they seek God’s direction in guiding them to their next Pope.
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Lesson of the day:
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such there is no law. 25 If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit.” Galatians 5:22-23, 25
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Here is Pastor Murray’s reflection on the difference between “work” and “fruit.”
Have you ever noticed the difference in the Christian life between work and fruit?
A machine can do work; only life can bear fruit.
A law can compel work; only life can spontaneously bring forth fruit.
Work implies effort and labour: the essential idea of fruit is, that it is the silent, natural, restful produce of our inner life.
The connection between work and fruit is, perhaps, best seen in the expression, “fruitful in every good work” (Colossians 1:10).
It is only when good works come as the fruit of the indwelling Spirit, that they are acceptable to God. Under the compulsion of law and conscience, or the influence of inclination and zeal, men may be most diligent in good works, and yet find that they have but little spiritual result. Their works are man’s effort, instead of being the fruit of the Spirit, the restful, natural outcome of the Spirit’s operation within us.
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My thoughts and Questions:
- Have you ever heard the phrase, “It’s not what we ‘have’ to do – it’s what we ‘get’ to do that reflects God’s joyous and loving will? Does it make sense that there will be a difference in our hearts if we love the way Christ loved (and loves) us rather than doing what we must in fear of God’s judgment?
- Can you imagine my reaction to a vicar who called me on Christmas Eve years ago and asked, “I hear one of our members is in intensive care at the hospital. Do I have to go see him?” Can you imagine our weekly “Vicar meeting”?
- Which is “work” and which is fruit? One child asks the parent, “Do I have to help mom with the dishes? The other asks, “Is there anything I can do to help you, Mom?” Which brings joy to the Mom?
- What is your reaction to a question I received from a member years ago? “Pastor. Now that our budget is balanced, do we have to keep sending out invitations to new neighbors around church?”
- Which “fruits of the Spirit bring you greatest joy to produce”? (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control) If it is hard to love this or that one who is mistreats us, do we grudgingly continue to try to love them or pray for the Spirit’s power and fruit to have our heart changed and tied to Christ who loved and loves all.
- Do you sense there is a connection between sacrificial giving and the joyous work of the Spirit in the hearts of stewards? Paul points to the joy filled stewardship of the poor Macedonian Christians in His 2nd letter to the Corinthians. He writes: Our friends, we want you to know what God’s grace has accomplished in the churches in Macedonia. 2 They have been severely tested by the troubles they went through; but their joy was so great that they were extremely generous in their giving, even though they are very poor. 3 I can assure you that they gave as much as they could, and even more than they could. Of their own free will 4 they begged us and pleaded for the privilege of having a part in helping God’s people in Judea. 5 It was more than we could have hoped for! First they gave themselves to the Lord; and then, by God’s will they gave themselves to us as well.
- Does all of this make clear why the rich man who was wanting eternal life was going to go away “sorrowful?l” (Mark 10:17) He began by asking Jesus, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” God’s love is most evident and powerful when it comes bearing the loving grace of God in Jesus. It is not law but gospel that fills the world with love.
Blessings to each of you as the Spirit fills you with fruit to share with joy with all others.
Peace in His service,
Pastor Johnson
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SCRIPTURE READINGS FOR
Friday, May 9th, 2025
Psalm 23; Ezekiel 20:39-44; Revelation 6:1-7:4
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