You would think it was easy to distinguish the works of God from the works of the devil. And if we weren’t full of self-righteousness and a desire to tell God how it is, the works of God would be as plain as the nose on our face and we would rejoice in them. But since our flesh hates the Word of God it wants to call God’s works evil and the works of the flesh good. But the Holy Spirit couldn’t be any more clear when He says “For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit and the works of the Spirit are against the flesh.” (Galatians 5:19) If only we had something to clear up the confusion! We do – the Word of God. And because of the sin that remains in our flesh we need to constantly hear the Word of God to beat back the lying flesh. The works of God are righteousness and love and mercy and sacrifice. The works of God do not give praise to men but to God. And that is the tell – who receives the glory and the praise? When Jesus opens the mouth of the mute man it is shocking that anyone would claim that Jesus was doing the devil’s work! Such a blasphemy reveals unbelief. It is God alone who gives life and releases from sin’s oppression! Death, disease, and affliction are the work of the devil. Such it is with all sin. The flesh turns right and wrong upside down and would have us believe that cursing and adultery and anger and rebellion are good. Only when Jesus forgives our sins and opens our lips can our mouths rightly declare His praise. God grant us His Holy Spirit and open our mouths that knowing His good works of salvation we may praise His good and glorious Name. I look forward to seeing you this coming Lord’s Day.
Pastor Ulmer