Reading: Matthew 7:15-29, Acts 10:24-48, Psalm 18:1-24, Genesis 39-40

Recall:
In the same way, every good tree bears good fruit, but the 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. Thus you will know them by their fruits. Matthew 7:17-20

Then Peter began to speak to them: “I truly understand that God shows no partiality, but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him. Acts 10:34-35

Reflect:
Scripture is extremely interested in action. I still believe that "salvation" is a free gift of grace. However, there is no salvation without the evidence of right action--that is all there is to it. The Joseph story is an excellent example. We know Joseph has some type of connection with God because of his ability to interpret dreams. But there is no recorded interaction between Joseph and God, there is no description of the exact nature of Joseph's beliefs about God. All we have is a record of Joseph's actions, what he did. And he did well and he did good. He operated with integrity (with the possible exception of that weird cup-hiding incident). And he succeeded!

The words of Jesus are crystal clear--you will be known by what you produce.

The words of Peter--whoever fears God and does what is right and acceptable to him!

Respond:
I was getting ready to pontificate on what "we" need to do, but it's not about that, is it? More than what I write, more than what I say, God is interested in what I do.
The pattern for my life must be going to Jesus, learning from him, absorbing from him, and then acting, letting my actions pour out of that relationship, that connection.