One of the debates of the Protestant Reformation was between the role of faith and works in the process of salvation. It is the question of how do I become right with God? On one hand a rich young ruler came to Jesus and asked what he must do to inherit eternal life and Jesus told him to go and sell all he owned and give to the poor. The man thought he had kept the Mosaic Law perfectly but he walked away sad for he was wealthy. The issue was not his lifestyle but his heart. We do not know the eternal state of his soul but we do know the tension he felt. He had tried so hard to do things right but was not sure he had paid for his sins.
We hear the mantra of the Reformation that we are saved by grace and not works but we also know that living congruently with our faith will result in transparency with how we live. A salty ocean does not give fresh water for drinking. In Luke 8 a woman who had suffered for 12 years from bleeding, touched the hem of Jesus’ garment and was healed. Jesus calls her into voice to admit she had touched him and he replies, “‘Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace.’ (Luke 8:48)” Another time ten lepers come to Jesus for healing. He heals them and sends them to the priest to be declared clean. One returns to say thank you. Jesus says, “‘Get up and go on your way; your faith has made you well.’ (Luke 17:18)” A third example from Luke tells of a blind man who asks to see. Jesus heals him and says, “‘Receive your sight; your faith has saved you.’ (Luke 18:42)” Faith and actions are so closely related.
As the Reformation grappled with this in a context where indulgences were sold to remove years in pergatory and where acts of penance were done to appease an angry God, focus on faith in a God who freely healed and loved people in the Gospels and did not require acts of good deeds presented a more “user-friendly” diety that was more approachable. Today the tendency is to connect our bad days with feelings of guilt about what we might have done wrong to anger God. For many it is hard to believe in a God who understands our weaknesses and responds to our cry for help.
May I suggest that we focus on the privilege we have in prayer to bring our sins, our burdens, and our fears of rejection to him in honest relationship. We may not be able to touch his hem but we can approach him in prayer and that is a blessing. Faith in a God who hears me even when I am not perfect is a tenant I can get behind. Blessings as you integrate your faith with your life.
On the Way to Wonder 