The Second Sunday After Pentecost (Proper 4A), May 29, 2005
BCP: Deut. 11:18-21, 26-28; Psalm 31 or 31:1-5, 19-24; Rom. 3:21-25a, 28; Matt. 7:21-27
RCL: Gen. 6:9-22, 7:24;8:14-19 or Deut. 11:18-21, 26-28; Psalm 46 or Psalm 31:1-5, 19-24; Rom. 1:16-17; 3:22b-28 (29-31); Matt. 7:21-29
The issue of salvation by works or by faith has been discussed since the beginning years of the Reformation. In this age nearly all Christians would agree that salvation comes by faith in Jesus and not by any works that we can do, though every now and then signs of the earlier controversy still appear.
Whenever the account in Luke of Mary and Martha is read in church, it often engenders uneasy discussion about the value and balance of the “active” and “contemplative” life in Christ. Today’s lessons, in some sense, raise the question again.
The lesson from Deuteronomy sets forth a choice with unmistakable magnitude: “Today, look, I am offering you a blessing and a curse: a blessing, if you obey the commandments of Yahweh your God which I enjoin on you today; a curse, if you disobey the commandments” (Deut. 11:26-28a). In this case, the fate of the believer is entirely in his own hands.
In the gospel, Jesus teaches something akin to this: The one who will enter the kingdom of heaven is the one who “does the will of my Father in heaven” (Matt. 7:21). There are other passages in the gospels in which Jesus appears to teach that salvation is by works. The one who gives a cup of cold water to a disciple shall not lose his reward; those who have fed the hungry, visited the sick, and performed other similar works of mercy find themselves saved -— even to their own surprise. Yet in the lesson from Romans Paul teaches, “a person is justified by faith and not by doing what the law tells him to do” (Rom. 3:28).
James, in his letter, addresses both sides of the issue by teaching that faith without works is dead, and that works give evidence of faith. Perhaps we can gain some insight by realizing that whenever there is tension concerning faith vs. works, we have missed the most important point. Whenever we debate what is needed for salvation, we are, in some sense, asking, “What’s in it for us? How can we make sure that we’re ‘in’?” But the first commandment is to love God. Both “works” and “faith” are attributes of something much greater than either: true love. When we really, truly love God “with all our heart, mind, soul, and strength,” it becomes obvious that “faith” is one small aspect of that love, and “works” are its natural outpouring.
Look It Up
Note that works alone and saying “Lord, Lord” alone are of no value at all in Matthew 7:22-23.
Think About It
The psalmist indicates that his life is not completely free of problems. On the contrary, it is evident that he is enduring much trouble. Nevertheless, he rests confidently in the Lord’s love.
Next Sunday
The Third Sunday After Pentecost (Proper 5A), June 5, 2005
BCP: Hosea 5:15-6:6; Psalm 50 or 50:7-15; Rom. 4:13-18; Matt. 9:9-13
RCL: Gen. 12:1-9 or Hosea 5:15-6:6; Psalm 33:1-12 or Psalm 50:7-15; Rom. 4:13-25; Matt. 9:9-13, 18-26
