Friday, November 2, 2012
Ephesians 2:9-10 For it's by grace you are saved through faith, and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.
OF FAITH AND GOOD WORKS ... AND MILK
The pastor's instruction class was discussing the Second Commandment. The young students were asked why a hypocrite is guilty of sinning against the divine injunction not to take the name of the Lord in vain. Answer: Pretending to be a Christian is using the Lord's name (CHRISTian) to deceive.
Later it occurred to the pastor that the hypocrite question raised a serious issue addressed by Martin Luther and the other reformers. Medieval scholasticism argued that doing good works made a person a Christian. Luther said, "No, first the Holy Spirit makes a person a Christian -- and then that person does good things. Good works do not make a good man, but a good man does good works."
It's the Christian who produces good works -- they are the fruit of faith. Faith in Christ is the heart of the Spirit-created relationship with God. It is the source, not the result, of good works. But mistaken notions are often hard to shake -- and those who argued that good works make a person a Christian were outspoken and insistent. This is where Martin Luther, who had a gift for cutting to the heart of an issue with a striking illustration, said that if his opponents were right, then they should be able to make a cow -- out of a bucket of milk!
Faith clings to Jesus' cross alone And rests in Him unceasing;
And by its fruits true faith is known, With love and hope increasing.
Yet faith alone doth justify, Works serve thy neighbor and supply
The proof that faith is living.
(The Lutheran Hymnal, 377:9)
