Faith Works

Morning readings: Psalms 12; 146, 1 Kings 8:65-9:9, James 2:14-26, Mark 14:66-72

Did you know the Book of James was considered suspect by many early Christians for almost 300 years? Or that Martin Luther wanted it out of the Bible? The center of the controversy is the ongoing debate over whether Christians achieve salvation through faith alone, or whether good works are necessary to attain (or maintain) salvation. In his letters, Paul wrote over and over again that faith alone is the key to the salvation God gives freely. James says faith without works is dead (James 2:17).

Could it be possible this argument misses the point entirely? After all, the gospels themselves seem to be far less concerned with this delineation between faith and works. John's gospel is the most specific about justification through faith, mentioning several times only those who believe will find eternal life. But throughout all the gospels, Jesus speaks about faith as it is expressed through action. This message is loud and clear at the end of Matthew 25: in these verses the Lord welcomes into the Kingdom those who clothed the naked, fed the hungry, gave drink to the thirsty, invited in the stranger, and visited the imprisoned … and rejected those who did not. This passage makes it very clear works of mercy are integral – maybe inevitable – to a life of faith.

Works do not save us, but they are a thermometer indicating whether our faith is cold and dead or burning with the flame of the Spirit. If we are not inspired to the work of the Kingdom, we may want to consider that a sign our faith has been uttered from cool intellect rather than an impassioned heart. As James says: "Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them, 'Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,' but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it?" (vv. 15-17). A faith that cares for nothing but our own personal salvation is a hollow and selfish thing, the good china we refuse to serve food on no matter how hungry our guests may be.

Evening readings: Psalms 36; 7

It's 3:16 somewhere...

Today's readings:   Psalms 27; 147:12-20, Deuteronomy 9:23-10:5, Hebrews 4:1-10, John 3:16-21

John 3:16 is possibly the most commercially successful verse in the Bible. It's so marketable that the reference alone is enough to sell millions of keychains, bumper stickers, t-shirts, coffee mugs, eyeglass cases, and just about anything else that can sport an imprint. It is the unofficial logo of Brand Jesus.

It's a beautiful verse that sums up the message of the gospel: "For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life." Is it possible it could be a little too popular? Without delving into the whole discussion about faith versus works, is it possible we can be so happy all we have to do is "believe" that we never get around to doing the work of God's kingdom? After all, belief is a solitary and internal occurrence. It doesn't feed the poor or clothe the naked, or do any of the things Jesus says we do for him when we do them for the least of our sisters and brothers.

The verses following John 3:16 expand on its statement, and describe how those who believe embrace the light, and those who don't believe stay in the darkness because it hides their deeds. No matter how strongly we "believe in him" (and what exactly that means is a discussion unto itself), maybe we should spend a few moments considering whether we would be comfortable with Christ's light shining on our lives. Belief is the beginning of faith, not the end. If how we live our lives does not stand up to the light, our belief dies on our lips instead of living in our hearts.

Jesus's sacrifice requires more from us than buying our accessories at the local branch of "3:!6 24/7." Bumper stickers will eventually fade in the light; the service we perform in Christ's name is eternal.

Evening readings:  Psalms 126; 102