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Works |
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A rich man showed up at Heaven's gates one day, seeking admission. "Sorry," Saint Peter told him, "I don't find your name listed among those who have made reservations." "But my company gave thousands to organizations helping the poor and needy," the man stammered. "I've done good things for others all my life." "The only way to get into Heaven is to be redeemed by Jesus," Saint Peter replied sadly. "Many good people are being turned away from this entrance because they thought just doing good things would be enough." We often get confused about what the Bible says about works and part of that comes from our natural human desire to justify ourselves. We can make ourselves look good in man's sight, but in God's sight only the blood of Jesus is enough to make us look good. The Bible does tell us "faith without works is dead." (James 2:26) Our works, though, are a service of love, a free gift to God, not a wage to be deducted from what we owe for receiving salvation. However, James adds, with what always seemed to me a bit of asperity, "You show me your faith without works and I'll show you mine by my works." (3:18) Without the works your faith becomes a pool of stagnant water, slicked over with oil and scum and without the ability to provide life. With works, the living water flows through you, not just into you. It remains a living thing because it flows on to someone else. We are not excused from acting on our faith by the fact that we don't have to do it to be saved. We are, instead, urged to act that we might continue to be life-receiving and life-giving. While works are a service to God, they are, like all the things God asks of us, designed for our own good. |
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