DONKEY AND A CARROT

 I OFTEN THINK

THAT CHRISTIANITY

REDUCES ITSELF

TO THE PICTURE

OF A DONKEY

CHASING A CARROT ON A STICK

THAT HEAVEN IS A REWARD

FOR GOOD CONDUCT

THAT WE SOMEHOW MERITED IT

GOOD CONDUCT

IS FAITH IN ACTION

DONE

 BECAUSE

IT IS THE PROPER THING

EXPECTED

OF ONE

WHO LOVES GOD

NOT FOR REWARD

BUT OUT OF LOVE

LIKE THE ISRAELITES

WHO SERVED GOD

WITHOUT A HOPE OF RESURRECTION

WE GAIN NO MERIT FOR GOOD CONDUCT

IT IS THE FRUIT OF OUR FAITH

ABIDE WITH ME

I AM THE VINE

YOU ARE THE BRANCHES

ABIDE WITH ME

YOU WILL BEAR MUCH FRUIT

FRANK A VOLLMER