Salvation by faith or works?

In various Bible related classes, I've come across the question of whether works are necessary for salvation, or if faith alone is enough. Sadly enough, there are some factions of Christianity that teach that one can say a simple prayer and that one is "saved" for eternity, like flipping some divine lightswitch. This is a dangerous doctine, for many are led astray by it and have a false sense of security as to their eternal fate. They are taught that because they believe, that is enough, but Scripture says that even the demons believe. It is by faith that one is saved, and faith is something that goes much deeper than mere belief. The two are related, but not interchangable. One can believe something without putting much faith into it, but if I have faith in something, then belief is an element of that faith.

I am convinced that anyone asking such a thing has a skewed view of the relationship shared by faith and works, for the two are truly inseperable. While one can do works without having faith, it is impossible to have true faith without works. Works are the natural result of faith, because when one has faith in something or someone, the very nature of faith stirs one to action.

I would certianly agree that works do not save you, for as I pointed out, anyone can do works, even one who is hopelessly lost. However, if you have true faith, then the response within you is so deep that works are the natural manifestation of that faith. Many claim to have faith while refusing to work for the advancement of Christ's kingdom. Such people are in fact faithless, and are on a very dangous track. Contrawise, there are many who put all their effort into works, such as feeding the hungry and tending the sick. In and of themselves, these are fine things, no doubt; however without faith, they will do you no good in eternity.

It's a rather simple "If P then Q" equation. If you have faith, works will follow. Think about it. If you tell a friend that you have faith in them, yet do not behave in accord with your words, then one can easily see that such proclaimations are a lie. If we claim to have faith in God, the one being who we can truly put all our faith in and will never let us down, then how much more should we be willing to do his work here on earth?

So while it is true that it is not the works themselves that save you, it is also true that they are a very real and necessary part of the path to salvation. Amen.

A response to Martin Luther's "Treatise on Christian Liberty"

To take in the full meaning of this essay, it would be beneficial to read over Luther's original document. A copy of the Treatise can be found here: http://www.iclnet.org/pub/resources/text/wittenberg/luther/web/cclib-2.html

"It does not help the soul if the body... is occupied with sacred duties or prays, fasts, abstains..." (Luther)

Luther is mistaken in this reasoning, in that he does not take into account that while the flesh and spirit are two separate and contradicting commodities, they are inseparably joined until the point of death, when we abandon our weak flesh. While still living, the two are joined, and what affects one will have profound effect on the other. It is by strengthening their spirit that the martyrs were able to strengthen their flesh, and only thereby endure the tortures of the persecuting they suffered. Likewise will abuse of the body adversely affect the spirit. It is only by God's grace that one is able to overcome the spirit's natural reaction to physical suffering.

By discipline our flesh via fasting, abstinence and prayer, we are able to combat the body's inclination to pull us away from our spiritual walk. While Luther is correct in the statement, "...the things which have been mentioned could be done my any wicked person." he neglects the fact that this can be true of any Christian duty. Even the wicked can aid the poor or comfort those who mourn. Should these noble Christian works be cast aside, merely because the wicked might also perform them? Surely not. So neither should God's gifts of the Sacraments be neglected. In His chastisement of the Pharisees, it is the motivation behind their acts which Christ criticizes, rather than the acts themselves.

Luther justifies his view that works are not necessary in the statement "... it is clear that... it is justified by faith alone, and not any works for if it could be justified by anything else, it would not need the Word, and consequently it would not need faith..." While it is certainly true that it is one's faith that saves them, not works lest any man should boast, it is also true that faith without works is dead. When asked how one can be saved, Christ would respond "repent and be baptized." It is not the baptism which saves, as even a baptized person can lack salvation, but the follow up of the obedience that confirms the faith. If one believes yet does not obey, does not strive to live a pious, godly life, then they are the very definition of a faithless person. One can claim all day to be a friend to their brother, but if they are not there when needed, if one does not back up their claim with works, then they are not a very faithful friend. Likewise, profession without obedience is vain. Not all who say "Lord, Lord," shall be saved. The parable of the sower is a perfect example of this truth. Those whose faith was shallow were eaten up or choked out. Their belief did them little good as they were faithless. Too often the words "belief" and "faith" are used interchangeably. One can believe many things, and still be faithful in few. Belief is a component of faith, but faith encompasses much more than mere belief.

Luther makes a fine point in saying that "They [the commandments] are intended to teach man to know himself, that through them he may recognize his inability to do good and may despair of his own ability." This is wonderfully worded and very true, but does not exempt us of the works God had gifted us to do. As Paul says, "I strive for the mark of the high call." True, we can never live up to God's goodness, but we must always try. To aid this struggle, He gifted us with confession, penance, the Eucharist, etc. To cast aside these beautiful gifts is to snub God of His blessings offered to us, and is a great sin; not to mention extremely arrogant.

Luther's view on liberty is skewed in that it views works as a form of heavy bondage when in fact, they are the lighter yoke for which Christ exchanges the heavy yoke of sin. Paul refers to himself as a "slave to Christ" in which we become free of sin. By doing the devotions and works that God has given us, we become willing slaves of our good Master, rather than continuing to be slaves to the deadly yoke of sin. By utilizing these spiritual gifts, we are able to attain a closer walk with God and find true Christian Liberty.

In John Bunyan's book The Pilgrim's Progress, Christian speaks to Apollyon (Satan) as to how the wages for God's work are far better than the wages for Apollyon's, for the "wages of sin is death." When we become Christians, we receive new wages, not a decreased workload. However, we are assured that things will be better (not easier), and in knowing that it is God's work, we can be strengthened. It is by this strain and struggle-- and yes, even suffering, that we draw closer to God. Amen.

Vincent Christian

Heaven on Earth.

In a recent Bible study, I was presented with an interesting question. "Can one know heaven while still here on earth?" Typical to my type of answer, I had to say, "Yes. And no." As far as a certian and full understanding, I would give an emphatic "no", for heaven is something too far from the realm of human comprehension for us to get a clear view of it in our present state. However, as far as viewing small glimpes, brief flickers of Light amist the Darkness, then I would say "yes".

But let us begin by first getting an idea of what heaven will be like, and what makes it such a worthwhile goal to strive for, not taking the alternative into account, of course. There are many cliche desriptions of heaven, ranging from pearly gates, to golden streets to an oasis and every other kind of earthly delight imaginable. I don't necessarly agree or disagree with any of these interpretations; however, I do believe that whether such plesantries will or won't be there is irrelevant. Personally, I could not care less if the streets are made of prescious metals or of dirt, or even if there will be streets at all. There is one thing alone that makes heaven the ultimate goal -- to be in the presence of God. Within His glory, everything else that one ever held dear will fade to nothing in an instant, like stars eclipsed by the light of the sun. It is He who makes heaven what it is, for all the comforts that eternity has to offer would be but vanity without His presence. The Saints already in heaven are not joyful because of they have attained some beautiful retirement. Rather, they have true joy because for time and all eternity they are able to look upon the very face of God. The same God they served on earth with utmost love and devotion, they can now interact with on a personal lever never before experienced.

Now, understanding that to view heaven is to see the face of God, we can better determine whether or not it is possible to experience heaven here on earth. Again, I say we can in part. While I fully believe that we shall never be able to imagine the full glory that is heaven, I do believe that we can view ocassional beams of the Light. After all, we acknowledge that all good is of God. And in creating the earth, God often proclaimed it as good. Also, humans are created in the very image of God, and therefore in some way reflect His goodness. While the world is undeniably full of evil, one doesn't have to look far to see good as well. When I hear my nieces laugh, or see my mother smile, or sit and listen to my Abbot play the piano, I see some very good and beautiful things -- things that fill me with comfort and hope. These things, be they talent, personality or spirit, are very clear reflections of God, mirrored in his creation. While they cannot replace the longing I naturally feel for closness with God, I dare not take the gifts for granted, for I well know that such gifts are granted me out of God's goodness, and any gift he sees fit to bestow upon me is one worth taking the time to appreciate.

So while one certianly does not want to become distracted with worldly things, one must also remember that simply because something exists in this world, does not make it of this world. We are but pilgrims in this life, striving for the homeland that is heaven, yet being ever mindful that the journey, with all it's tragic beauty, is as much a gift as the prize that awaits us hereafter. Amen.

Vincent Christian