Easter Meditation

My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

Book 3 Chapter 14: On Considering the Secret Judgment of God so that We do not become Proud of Our Good Works

“O Lord, Your judgments sound forth like pearls of thunder over my head and all my bones shake and tremble with fear.”

What, I can’t be proud of the good works that I do?  I’m not allowed to brag about the good things that I do to help others?  The simple answer is no.  Anytime we brag, we become prideful.  If we become proud of what we do, it is a sin because it is for our glory and not the glory of God.  This is one of things that Luther struggled with.  He wanted to know how much good works a person needed to do before they justified their entrance into heaven.  What he realized is that there is no amount of good works that justify our entrance into heaven.  It is only through the mercy of our Father in Heaven that we enter through the narrow gates.  Why?  Because once we start doing good works to justify ourselves, we begin to value our good works with some sort of grace we earn.  We do not earn God’s love.  It is poured out for us no matter what we do. Don’t get me wrong, we must do good works; however, we must do good works purely because we love God with no expectation in return. Whatever we do must be done purely for the glory of God and nothing else.  It is better that your good works be a secret so that pride does not become a motive.  We must realize that even that “stars fell from heaven” (Rev 6:13) when God’s angels denied him due to their own pride.  No one is spared from the sin of pride.  There is no hope of salvation except through the merciful hands of God.  There is no wisdom unless God sends it forth.  No chastity is secure unless our God defends it and no soul is safe unless God protects it. Therefore, I have no “good” except for what God has given me.  I must learn to cherish this love and realize I am but a lowly servant not worthy of anything unless God wills it.  Once I realize it is all God and none of me, my pride will be defeated and I will truly see the light of Christ.  God is secretly watching us and judging us.  His judgment is firm but fair.  He sees the true reason why we do things.  He knows if we are doing something to brag or doing something to truly help our fellow man. We must not let flatter guide us.  We should be repulsed by flatter if it leads us to pride.  We must feel contempt for false praise as it sets us up for prideful longings.  We must truly be on our knees in the servant position before our Father. It is on our knees that we are truly humble.

A Simple Prayer

“O Substance, immense beyond all weight!

O Sea to whose furthest shore no one can ever sail,

Where I find my substance to be nothing, absolutely nothing!”

Protect me from my prideful tendencies and lead me to have a servant heart.

Yours in Christ

Michael Marcon