First, from Ephesians 2:8-10:
For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God— 9not the result of works, so that no one may boast. 10For we are what he has made us, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand to be our way of life.
Martin Luther reflects:
If we esteem them too highly, good works can become the greatest idolatry...It is faith--without good works and prior to good works--that takes us to heaven. We come to God through faith alone.
2 comments:
hmm, while Luther has a point, I believe he missed out the whole understanding of "good works". Granted luther lived in a dark Catholicsm period, however to think that one can be saved through faith alone (without works) is abit contradicting, cuz if you read Matthew 25 v.31 onwards, you can clearly see Jesus talking about works (clothing, feeding etc.) I don't deny faith in Jesus christ is the crux of our salvation, but I believe good works are just as important
d4g:
Thanks for taking the time to write. I invite you to re-read Matthew 25:31-46. Note that the "sheep" were entirely unaware of their works. They sprang from the grace of God unleashed in their lives when they trusted Jesus. They were saved by grace through faith. Works resulted. James says that faith without works is dead. Good works indicate the existence of faith--they are fruits of the spirit. But good works do not bring salvation. That is purely a gift from God.
Thanks again.
Mark
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