The Good and the Bad
Love covers a multitude of sins.
1 PETER 4:8
+
The Good and the Bad
We love to beautify and decorate ourselves and to see what is good in us, tickling ourselves with it as if it belonged to us. In order to maintain our exclusive claim to beauty, we ignore and leave out of sight the good there is in our neighbor. If we notice the least little pimple on him, we fill our eyes with it and so magnify it that on its account we see nothing good, though the man may have eyes like a hawk and a face like an angel. That would be like seeing someone in a garment all of gold except perhaps for a seam or a white thread drawn through it, and then acting shocked, as if it were worthless on that account. Meanwhile I would be precious in my own sight on account of the gold patch sewn on my shabby smock frock. So it is that we overlook our own vices, which are all over us, while we fail to see anything good about other people. Now, once this natural inclination appears among Christians, then the judging begins. Then I am ready to despise and condemn a man as soon as he stumbles a little or makes some other mistake. He treats me the same way, giving me the same measure I give him, as Christ says here. He searches out and he criticizes the worst things he can find about me. By such behavior love is suppressed, and all that remains is a biting and a devouring back and forth, until they have consumed each other and lost their Christianity.
From The Sermon on the Mount (Luther's Works 21:214-15)
1 PETER 4:8
+
The Good and the Bad
We love to beautify and decorate ourselves and to see what is good in us, tickling ourselves with it as if it belonged to us. In order to maintain our exclusive claim to beauty, we ignore and leave out of sight the good there is in our neighbor. If we notice the least little pimple on him, we fill our eyes with it and so magnify it that on its account we see nothing good, though the man may have eyes like a hawk and a face like an angel. That would be like seeing someone in a garment all of gold except perhaps for a seam or a white thread drawn through it, and then acting shocked, as if it were worthless on that account. Meanwhile I would be precious in my own sight on account of the gold patch sewn on my shabby smock frock. So it is that we overlook our own vices, which are all over us, while we fail to see anything good about other people. Now, once this natural inclination appears among Christians, then the judging begins. Then I am ready to despise and condemn a man as soon as he stumbles a little or makes some other mistake. He treats me the same way, giving me the same measure I give him, as Christ says here. He searches out and he criticizes the worst things he can find about me. By such behavior love is suppressed, and all that remains is a biting and a devouring back and forth, until they have consumed each other and lost their Christianity.
From The Sermon on the Mount (Luther's Works 21:214-15)
Posted in Daily Devotions
Related Posts
Recent
Archive
2021
January
The Arm of GodSigns and PromisesThe Calling in Your HeartOur Active GodAmazing HelpThe Purpose of BaptismHave Courage to BelieveToo Soon ForgottenThe Unexpected ChangeSustained by TrustHe Who Bears All SinsA Wonderful VictoryWhen God SpeaksOur Faithful ShepherdThe Purpose of ScriptureOne Little WordThe Supreme ConsolationA Thorn in the FleshNever Doubt RedemptionThis Is the VictoryLet Your Faith Be FirmA Pure Dwelling PlaceBuilding an Eternal HouseGlorious PromisesNoble and Necessary ChastisementOur New MotivationGod Will Preserve His ChurchGod's Will, Christ's PurposeOur Savior DefinedFalse Saintliness
February
The True Center of SalvationThe Purpose of GovernmentWhat Is a Good Work?The Chief DoctrineA Simple ExplanationJoyful NewsHarmless NoiseIn God's HandsTreasure in Weak VesselsThe Pure, Clear WordWas It Better Before?Responsibility to OthersTrue EqualityA Broad InterpretationThe Flesh Is WeakWhen Pity Is WrongNo Sin AllowedTake the High RoadGod Is TrueSetting an ExampleThe Spirit Giveth LifeThe Christian LawBeware of False ShepherdsThe Lofty and the LowlyIn the Hour at HandLearning to CallWhen the Wicked SucceedTake up Your Cross
March
On Godly BehaviorThe Sheep of ChristThe Calm after the StormOn Becoming a ChristianEternal FoodConcerning Knowledge and PowerFight PowerfullyThe Yoke of ChristThe Obedient ChristThe Fulfillment of the LawDivine RighteousnessThe Gospel Is PublicTo Live as a ChristianThe Promise of GodlinessWhy Is Christ Punished?Blind Human NatureHave Faith Like ChildrenThe Spirit of TruthWaiting for GodTo Know GodThe Purpose of NeedWho Is an Apostle?When Salvation BeginsTrust in GodThe Time for RescueGod Is UnchangeableThere Is No Secret SalvationA Chosen RaceFeast of St. Michael and All AngelsWhat to Pray ForGod's Goodness
April
These Great ThingsYou Can Trust GodBearing Witness to GodGod Hears and AnswersRemain in the KingdomRely on Christ AloneKeep the Goal in SightThis Is God's KingdomOur Comfort and JoyTrue God and True ManThe Active Word of GodBaptismal GiftsThe Good NeighborWe Are All AlikeThe Narrow DoorNo CompromiseLean Not on Your UnderstandingChristians Can Bear EverythingBorn of GodChrist's Kind HeartChrist for Us
2020
January
We Are Blessed in the SeedThe Kinds of LifeAbraham WeptThe Honorable MarriageAn Angel before YouThe Companionship of AngelsHearer of PrayerBefore the Prayer Is DoneKindness to AllThanksgiving for the Smallest ThingsArranged by the LordA Precious DeathGathered with the SaintsDelayed BlessingTwelve PrincesCall upon God with PersistenceGod Truly HearsGod Has Promised to HearAn Indifferent LifeThe House That Is a ChurchWhat Use Is a Birthright?The Purpose of AfflictionDivine AppearancesConfirmation of the PromisesAbraham's RewardNo ExcusesHow to Overcome FearHow to Defeat DoubtPeace in the Midst of EnemiesStaying Strong While We WaitThe Exercise of the Faithful
February
I Am Your GodLook for Eternal BlessingsThe Foolishness of the SaintsGod\'s InstrumentsBlessing Versus CurseDaily Bread Comes from GodEarthly AuthorityVictory in the CrossBe Strong in the Face of CursesBlessing through TrialsBlessing Assailed but Not OvercomeAn Unchangeable WorkThe Beginning of HatredTreasure the BlessingThe Raging of the DevilLive by FaithThe Promised Glory Will FollowThe Twofold Purpose of MarriageThe Immediacy of the BlessingA Stone PillowA Ladder to HeavenAngels Ascending and DescendingThe Angels of GodOur Lord, True ManCertainty of the BlessingShield and ProtectionSafe and SoundPromise and CommandWhere God Dwells
March
The Gate of HeavenLove at First SightThe Sight of GodPraise the LordGod Searches the HeartBelow the SurfaceAsk, Seek, Knock without CeasingFor Those in NeedGod Cares for UsThe Fight against DoubtThe Proper Use of ReasonGod Restrains SatanGod Does Not Forsake UsBearing ReproachThe Failings of the SaintsThe Fear of IsaacGod Is on My SideFear and Worship of GodThe Troops of GodWait, Endure, Hold Out!Unmerited PromisesSteadfastness amid TribulationDespair Turned to JoyWeakness Turned to StrengthMercy and TruthThree Conditions of PrayerAll Is Not LostWrestling with GodGod in Hostile FormDo Not Yield, but Press OnGod Can Be Conquered?
April
In the Arena with GodPressed to God's HeartFace to Face with Our LordGod Changes the HeartHonor and RespectI Have EnoughGood Fruits of DomesticityAn Altar Is RaisedDo Not Rely on YourselfFrom Grief to JoyRecall the PromisesThe Lord Has Been with MeTerror from GodA Name of Great ImportanceGod Is Present at All TimesPleasant RestGenerationsSustained through TroublesJoseph's DreamsThe Wisdom of GodThe Purpose of TemptationWhere Is God?How Great Is the Father's LoveRescue Will Come, but Not YetCut off and RemovedHope for Life amid DeathExile and WeepingProof of GraceTamar and ChristHumiliation and Confession
May
The Word Planted in the HeartFavor in His Master's SightBlessing for the Sake of the GodlyLet Us Do Our DutyPersevere in True GodlinessA Hypocrite's ConductThe Devil's AttacksAn Unjust RewardFalsely ImprisonedThe Lord Begins to HelpExternal ComfortFaith in the UnseenFaith, Hope, and PatienceLet Prayer Sustain UsWait for the LordGod Will Give an AnswerFixed by GodThe Blessing of ListeningFar More AbundantlyWait for the LordCivil AuthorityUnparalleled Works of GodTrust but Do Not TemptHarsh Words in Order to SaveThe Law Is a CustodianTrue RepentanceAn Evil ConscienceSin Does Not Want to Be RevealedThe Weakness of the FleshEntrusted to GodA Son Is Offered
June
The Remedy for AfflictionIt Is WellA Beloved BrotherSelf-Confidence AbolishedWho, Me?Mortification Will Be Turned to JoyThe Moment of ConfessionThe Pattern of PrayerHow God Deals with UsTriumph in ChristRemedy for GriefGod Sent MeSolace in Times of TroubleHealing the Wounds of SinFestive RobesDo Not Be AfraidI Myself Will Go with YouYears of SojourningThe Angel of BlessingGod Will Be with YouNo Need to Fear DeathThreat and PromiseThe Kingdom of ChristWhat Christ's Blood BringsFrom Cleansing to CleansingI Will WaitSuitable BlessingsFalling Asleep in FaithMeant for GoodGod Will Surely Visit You
July
Circumcision and Name of JesusWatch, Read, KnowOur Brother, Not Our EnemyThe Purpose of TroubleCling to Christ in PrayerThe Epiphany of Our LordThe Supreme PreacherThe God of LifeTo Know the FatherThe Christian's Narrow PathWhere Our Treasure LiesJustified through FaithThe Picture of LoveThe Pretense of SanctityPraise for Noah\'s FaithTo Know ChristThe True GodTrue Man, True GodSurrendering the SelfThe Purpose of Good WorksThe Helper Who ComfortsComrades in SinExpecting PerfectionA Father's DutyThe Conversion of SaulAn Altar to the LordAbraham's Extraordinary FaithFear and ReverenceDo Not WorryJoy in TrialsOur Marvelous Christ
August
Nothing Apart from GodThe Purification of Mary and the Presentation of Our LordThe Lamb\'s MissionThe New ManBelieve and Be JoyfulUnder Christ's WingsHow Suffering Improves FaithThe Devil's DeceitChrist Is Our ClothingWhere the Cross Is FoundWhy God Gives Us FaithThe Devil's NatureOur Hope Is in HimA Wondrous Thing!The Pure GospelWe Must Be AlertA Book Such As ThisAll That We Are and HaveDying for ChristCling to ChristWeak But StrongOur True TreasureThrow Out the OldSinging for JoyUnwavering BeliefVictorious FaithChristian PeaceThe Fruits of FaithNone Are RighteousPut Off the OldListen With Joy
September
The Fault in Our NatureThe Sheep Know the ShepherdChrist Preserves His ChurchTwo KingdomsSure ComfortDo Not Deceive YourselfAll This Is VainThe Temptation of False DoctrineOur Certain FaithSet Your Conscience FreeThe Precious TreasureThe Judgment of ReasonDutiful Love and Godly FearThe Law of the SpiritWhen to PrayThe Contrary DeathThe Good ManLaw to the LawJoined by FaithWhat Binds the Law?Reason Is DarknessRansomedThe Annunciation of Our LordTo Tame the FleshThe Gospel TruthThe Spiritual KingThe Anxious HeartGiving OurselvesThe Battle of the FleshGod\'s Ordered Power
October
The Omnipotent PrayerA Beautiful FaithConfidence That SustainsOur Sure ConfidenceListen, Learn, LiveThe Excellent ThingAcknowledge and Know HimForgive and ForgetProof Is in the ScripturesThe Lord Will AnswerUnder Christ\'s FeetContinuous PrayerAn Active FaithHow to Go to GodScripture TestifiesWhen God Does Not EnterNone But ChristFaith Takes HoldWith Malice Toward NoneSame, but DifferentGrace to Hear ItHelp in the Midst of TroubleThe Greatest LoveGod Reveals His GloryThe Humility of PeterWe Are All KingsGod\'s Purpose for ParentsThe Chief SinWaging WarGod\'s DelightAbove Our UnderstandingSomething Out of Nothing
November
Those Who WaitThe Captive ConscienceChrist, Our ComforterWhere Is Righteousness?My RefugeWhen God Is JustOpen Your HeartThe Worth of HumanityWhat the World Is Asking ForWhen One Suffers, All SufferCrucified with ChristThe Servant's WageThe Eyes of the LordOur InheritanceFulfilling the LawChrist, Our ComforterGifts of the SacramentsThe New LeavenLiving in the LightThe Bread of LifeOnly by Christ's WorkChristian BoastingStanding in God\'s PlaceAsk for the GospelTrusting Our CreatorIn Our Weakness, We SinThe Devil UnderfootThe VisitationInstituted by God
December
The Covenant of GraceThe Most Valuable WorkGod's Will Toward UsThe Only WayGazing upon ChristThe Proper TouchstoneThe Narrow HeartFor His Name's SakeMaking Evil GoodThe Revealed GodDo Not Be MisledCertain KnowledgeWhen God's Help BeginsThe Names of GodOur Father KnowsWe Shall Not Die, But LiveNo Other Word Than ThisThe Earthly TentJesus Blesses the ChildrenThe Good and the BadThe Spirit's StrengthTwofold JoyWhat Is Daily Bread?Nativity of St. John the BaptistA Mighty FortressOn This FoundationCling and Be ContentTaught by GodToo Great a Sinner?The Principal DoctrineThe True Dwelling of GodThe VisitationMary's Hymn of Praise
2019
February
The Greatest Blindness on EarthThe Christian ReligionNo Fairer LawHis Divine and Human NamesWho Can Compare?Already HomeEstablished with the WordThe Weak Confound the StrongThe New WorldDid God Forget?In Our PlaceDressed, Adorned, and CrownedThe Coronation of ChristTrue Man and True GodEverything Belongs to ChristA Verse Worth RepeatingSluggish ConfessionsThe Fair JudgeIn Due TimeIt's Not Always What It SeemsIn the MeantimeA God Who Sleeps?You Are Not AloneBe Not Wise in Your Own ConceitsA Most Beautiful AnalogyGo Farther Than You FeelThe Office of the Holy SpiritRighteousness Looks Down
March
At Your Right HandThe Gracious Strength of GodA Shadow of ProtectionVictorious SalvationNot without GriefGoing Up and Going DownConcealed in HumanityAn Occasion for Something GoodAll Are Not Treated AlikeThe Saints and the PerverseSoaring and FlyingBeautiful DaybreakFaced with RealityA Most Ardent Plea for GraceGod Hears YouDespised by AllHis Richest ConsolationA Sweet and Comforting NameThe Voice of the GospelAn Ever Happy LifeA Thousand Times MoreRichly Provided ForHis NameAlive with GodWord and SacramentRetaining VictoryTo the Very EndCall Upon the Name of the LordConfidence to Continue OnWhat Eventually ComesThe Right Way
April
Mutual ConversationThe Temporal and the SpiritualInvincible Benefits of FaithCling to the WordHold On!What Faith IsWhat Else Should You Do?Just like WaterTo Become like CalvesThunder and LightningA Reason to Give ThanksThe Art of JoyFounded on the RockGod\'s Training MethodFrom the AbyssA Prayer of a Penitent HeartThe Whole World in His HandsDeadly WordsA Droplet of Spiritual TrustHis Promises Are TrueFree in ChristSeparated by GraceNo Need to Hide(Un)Knowingly RighteousLet Him Lead YouTrue, Simple FaithKnowledge of the Mind of ChristBold and CourageousBlessed Are Those Who MournThe Old and the New
May
As PromisedBy One Indivisible EssenceOutside the Scope of TimeFutile ThingsAt All Times and in All ThingsDisparaged and PraisedGuardian AngelsPatient EnduranceBattle against the FeelingsBe Strong and Take CourageThe Ungodly and the GodlyHay That Is Soon HarvestedContent with His WillThe Success of ScoundrelsNo Greater ComfortAbstain from Unjust GainAt the Appropriate TimeFrom the Midst of HeavenGenuine PossessionYield to the LordA Promise to BelieveThe Purpose of AfflictionClear as NoonWhere the Law of God IsA Threefold DeliveryA Shot to the HeartThe Weakness of Human NatureAn Amazing ThingHeart Bowed DownWords of FaithGod\'s Material
June
Citizens in HopeOne WillA Light to SeeSomething GreaterWisdom Hidden in MysterySuspendedThe Busy HandArms Made ReadyChanged by GraceTo Be the PenCelebrating the KingFountain of GraceRendered InvincibleGrain and WineInvisible Progress and SuccessSure of VictoryNo Other King or KingdomAltogether PureThe Sign among the PeoplesMore Than Meets the EyeA Most Beautiful TransformationAdorned with His WordA Different Kind of BeautyThrough God\'s EyesA Mighty Fortress Is Our GodA Reasonable SacrificeThe True Sacrifice of PraiseOur Power and Victory in Every TrialThe Foundation of PrayerOur Highest Occasion for Praying
July
Created by GodThe BeginningThe Mystery of the TrinityThe Speaker and the WordReality Brought into BeingOur Passage on Dry LandA Splendid HomeBy God's Special PlanIn the Image of GodA World in MiniatureGod Rested?Why We Have the SabbathThe Tree in the Midst of the GardenWorship in a Purer FormSpiritual DisasterNo Longer AloneBones and FleshThat the Godly PrevailA Sure Guide for FaithHold to the WordThe Growth of SinGod Is Not SilentFrom the Midst of SinHead and HeelFrom Death to LifeMomentary AfflictionHope RemainsWhat Is in a Name?Mercy and a WarningThe Tree of LifeThe Name of \"Son\"
August
Signs of GraceThe Lord\'s RegardPrecious DeathThe Voice of Our BloodCall upon the Name of the LordThe Light of ImmortalityWalking with GodThe Lord SeesThe Intentions of the WorldThe Lord GrievesImages of GodFaith in the Midst of WickednessThe Lord\'s FavorRighteous and BlamelessThe Importance of God\'s CovenantGod\'s ProvidenceFaithful ObedienceThe Object of God's CareUnyielding FaithHumbly Receive His WordEntering the ArkOnly Those in the ArkThe Beginning of the FulfillmentOur Example of PerseveranceGo Out from the ArkOur Heart's IntentionWhile the Earth RemainsThe Nursery of the ChurchThe Authority of HumansRespect for the Image of GodPreservation of the Promise
September
The Sign of the CovenantA Saint FallsThe Connecting ThreadBeware the False ChurchThe Lord Comes DownComfort through ConfusionThe Language Gap DefeatedThe Church Is Not a PlaceThe Lord's CallingFirm in FaithBlessed to Be a Great NationCalled from Idolatry to Be a BlessingChrist Brings the BlessingBlessing upon BlessingPromise and FaithOur Chief ConcernLet Nothing Terrify YouCompanions for the WayA Definite PlaceThe Lord's LeadingFaith in the Face of FamineGod Is FaithfulThe Godly Use of WealthPreaching and PrayerThe Nature of the WordThe Purpose of Earthly LawSacred AccountsGod Still SpeaksLooking ForwardEstablishing the Church
October
Apparent DefeatClear VictoryPublic BlessingGod Most HighAttached to GodThe Pattern of the SaintsA Future RewardThe Conversation of a FriendFor Our SakeRighteousnessFaith Is Never AloneBold PrayerA Peaceful DeathDivine SuccessionComfort Follows AfflictionThe God of SeeingGod's Eyes Are on UsBlamelessOf the Flesh and of the PromiseThe People of GodA Call to WorshipInvisible and Impossible ThingsVisible SignsThe Sign of CircumcisionThe Eighth DayThe Promise of a SonTemporal and Eternal PromisesNations and KingsOverflowing JoyIncomprehensible ThingsTwo CovenantsGod's Appearance to Us
November
Evidence of Faith"That Very Day"Refreshment of Spirit and BodyTo Comfort OthersQuick to ServeMiraculous Works of GodImpossible Made PossibleA Guest at the TableGod's Good WillOutcry against SinThe Compassion of GodBold PrayerPersistent PrayerSitting in the GateThe Rage of SatanHeavenly ProtectionFor the Sake of BelieversThe Power of AngelsThe Just Punishment of SinUnwise DelayDo Not Look BackA Sincere PrayerThe Will of GodSalvation and DestructionDeparting from God's CommandThe Prayer of a BelieverNo One Is BetterA Lodging Place for the NightThe Compassion of GodThe Weakness of a SaintThe Source of Joy
December
As God CommandedLaughterCelebrating the Lord\'s KindnessInheritance and CovenantThe Power of the WordThe Prayer of the ChurchLoved above All ThingsA Father's LoveA Cry for SolaceGod of the HumbleDry Your TearsHold FastGod Gives GrowthThe Godly OathCalled to SacrificeRaised from the AshesWithout HesitationA Bitter BurdenGod Provides the LambIn the Midst of DeathDeath ConqueredHere Am IFear and ReverenceThe Sacrifice AppearsThe Lord Will SeeGod\'s OathChrist Is the PledgeGod Is for MeStars and SandThe Blessing in the SeedThe Promise Depends on the Seed