Giants of the Reformation (2)

“Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Therefore by their fruits you will know them.” Matthew 7.17-20

The Freedom of a Christian
Martin Luther (1483-1546)
“The following statements are therefore true: ‘Good works do not make a good man, but a good man does good works; evil works do not make a wicked man, but a wicked man does evil works.’ Consequently it is always necessary that the substance or person himself be good before there can be any good works, and that good works follow and proceed from the good person, as Christ also says…”

The emphasis in Luther’s Freedom of a Christian is on the true nature and proper place of works in the life of faith. Good works are only those which God prescribes in His Word, not what men may devise or commend, even though their motives may be noble. Good works don’t “just happen” the longer we are believers. They must be nurtured in us through hearing and reading the Word of God, and listening to the Spirit’s prompting and guidance. We must be equipped for good works and encouraged in them regularly (Tit. 3.8, 14). We must persevere in faith and obedience until we become zealous for good works as the natural outworking of the goodness Christ has wrought in us (Titus 2.14). A pastor can know that the freedom of Christ has begun to have its powerful effects when he sees good works of love abounding within and from the members of his congregation, in Personal Mission Fields scattered across the community and the world.

Do you think that every sermon or teaching situation should focus on some particular good work which is the logical outworking of the message? How would that work out in your ministry?

T. M. Moore

Pastoral Hope Initiative
Pastor, where are you in your walk with and work for the Lord? Are you growing? Covering all the bases? Working fruitfully toward the Kingdom of God? Our Pastoral Hope Initiative can help you establish a framework and baseline for steady, fruitful growth into the Lord Jesus. We have permanently waived the fee for men who want to work through this 14-week protocol. Watch this brief video, then, if you’re interested, let me hear from you at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

The Fellowship of Ailbe is supported through the generous and faithful gifts of those who benefit from and believe in our work. Does the Lord want to use you in this way? Please look to Him in prayer over this question. You can contribute to The Fellowship of Ailbe by using the Contribute button at our website, or by sending your gift to The Fellowship of Ailbe, 19 Tyler Drive, Essex Junction, VT 05452. Thank you.

Except as indicated, Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.All quotations from Martin Luther, The Freedom of a Christianin John Dillenberger, ed., Martin Luther: Selections from His Writings(New York: Doubleday, 1962).