May the mumbling commence!
I am currently in a community stage production with Family Children’s Theatre of Hutchinson, Kansas. This is production week. Excitement exudes from every member of the cast and crew. We will be presenting The Robe, which is based upon Lloyd C. Douglas’ classic Christian fiction book of the same title. I always treasure the camaraderie of being in the cast – both on stage and behind stage.
Yesterday, we were talking about Christian theology as we were getting ready to leave for the day. We have a number of denominations represented in our cast, so the discussion got a little intense. We talked about baptism and salvation a little more than other things. I couldn’t help but think about our discussion as I read Ephesians today. First, read a passage from chapter two:
But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions – it is by grace you have been saved. And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God – not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. (Verses 4-10)
How do we attain salvation? Twice in this passage Paul wrote that “it is by grace you have been saved”. That seems fairly clear. We are saved by grace through faith. Paul emphasized this salvation fact because no one has room to boast. This line of argument seems to point us to those who profess grace alone.
The danger of hard line theology of grace alone is that one might conclude that faith in the grace of God frees one to do whatever they want to do. That is not the reason we are granted freedom by grace through our faith. Grace is not a license to continue in sin. We must read Paul further to get a fuller understanding of the salvation offered by God.
We have salvation by grace through our faith. What great freedom that gives us! We are free to be what God created us to be. As the last sentence of this passage tells us, we are “created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” Though works cannot save us, works are a fruit of faith. Good works of faith should be expected from all Christians.
To accept God freeing salvation is to accept God’s call to obedience. Obedience is the way of Christ Jesus. It is our call to follow Jesus. Obedience means good works. No, we need not do good works for salvation. Works alone will never save us. If they could, Christ would have died on the cross in vain. Yet, accepting grace without good works done in gratitude would mean denying what God has created us to be. Refusing to do good works means we will miss out on the blessings God has for us.
Salvation is preparation for good works! Shall we rest on the grace of God? OR shall we get our hands dirty doing the good works God made us to do? Doing good works is the best way of showing God’s love to all around us.
Though it is difficult, I choose change. Daily, I try to lay aside my will for God’s. I join my Christian brothers and sisters in all denominations. We are one in Christ. If we deny our unity in Christ, we fail. Read from Ephesians chapter four:
As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit – just as you were called to one hope when you were called – one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. (Verses 1-6)
Enough mumbling for now…
Peace Out
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