Luther's understanding of vocation was revolutionary in the face of the medieval monasticism that surrounded him.  In contrast to the prevailing wisdom of the day, which held that some activities/vocations/callings were inherently more holy than others, Luther maintained that the seemingly ordinary life to which most believers were called was, in fact, a God-honoring calling.  Commenting on John 15.5, he writes:

False Christians cannot understand what Jesus is saying in this passage.  They wonder, "What kind of Christians are these people?  They can't do anything more than eat and drink, work in their homes, take care of their children, and push a plow.  We can do all that and better."  False Christians want to do something different and special--something above the everyday activities of an ordinary person.  They want to join a convent, lie on the ground, wear sackcloth garments, and pray day and night.  They believe these works are Christian fruit and produce a holy life.  Accordingly, they believe that raising children, doing housework, and performing other ordinary chores aren't part of a holy life.  For false Christians look on external appearances and don't consider the source of their works--whether or not they grow out of the vine.

But in this passage, Christ says that the only works that are good fruit are those accomplished by people who remain in him.  What believers do and how they live are considered good fruit--even if these works are more menial than loading a wagon with manure and driving it away.  Those false believers can't understand this.  They see these works as ordinary, everyday tasks.  But there is a big difference between a believers works and an unbeliever's works--even if they do the exact same thing.  For an unbeliever's works don't spring from the vine--Jesus Christ.  That's why unbelievers cannot please God.  Their works are not Christian fruit.  But because a believer's works come from faith in Christ, they are all genuine fruit.

(from Faith Alone: A Daily Devotional/ LW 24:231)

Thanks be to God for the blessing of our ordinary lives and his pleasure with all of our labors that spring from the vine of Christ!

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