Godliness – A Faithful People
November 22nd, 2009Today’s discussion took in two topics of particular interest: both of them have vexed the Church since that first day. First, let’s take a look at today’s scripture:
3 His divine power has given us everything needed for life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.
4 Thus he has given us, through these things, his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may escape from the corruption that is in the world because of lust, and may become participants of the divine nature.
5 For this very reason, you must make every effort to support your faith with goodness, and goodness with knowledge,
6 and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with endurance, and endurance with godliness,
7 and godliness with mutual affection, and mutual affection with love.
8 For if these things are yours and are increasing among you, they keep you from being ineffective and unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
9 For anyone who lacks these things is nearsighted and blind, and is forgetful of the cleansing of past sins.
10 Therefore, brothers and sisters, be all the more eager to confirm your call and election, for if you do this, you will never stumble.
11 For in this way, entry into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ will be richly provided for you.
12 Therefore I intend to keep on reminding you of these things, though you know them already and are established in the truth that has come to you.
13 I think it right, as long as I am in this body, to refresh your memory,
14 since I know that my death will come soon, as indeed our Lord Jesus Christ has made clear to me.
15 And I will make every effort so that after my departure you may be able at any time to recall these things.
We agree that faith in God’s grace is the means of justification – of being in right relationship with God. Salvation is a gift of God and it is through God’s grace, not through our own works, that we are saved. This is central to not only our understanding of God’s covenantal love for his creation, but of the very reason for the incarnation, the death and the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Then we read a passage such as today’s lesson scripture or James 2:14-17 and we wonder, “Is faith alone sufficient?”
The other question goes to the heart of our beliefs as well. It came up in the context of living a life of good works, of doing justice to the command to love our neighbors as ourselves. In discussing the “divine nature”, we talked of examples such as Mother Teresa and other saints. Some mentioned the example of a soldier being willing to give up his life for his comrades. Some brought up Gandhi and others wondered about the peasant who has never heard of the Gospel, but lives its essence every day. So, who is saved? Those who have faith in Christ and Christ alone? Those whose faith is backed up by works? Those who are participants in the “divine nature” by whatever means and by whatever path?
My belief is that we are saved by God’s grace through faith in Christ alone. This should manifest itself in good works – in those virtues listed in verses 5-7 of today’s lesson scripture, but this is a personal matter between each repentant and God. What is manifest for one person, may not be manifest for another. My concern is for my own works, my own struggle to particpate in God’s divine nature and, in doing so, to serve my fellow beings. As for those who are not Christians, I only know this: that the Good News is that Christ came, lived as God in human form, died and returned from the dead and will come again. That God did this out of love for all of humankind, so that everyone should have access to eternal life. This is what I know through faith. This is what I am instructed to share with all the world at all times – when necessary using words.
Our SS class is the one place where we get to hear all sorts of answers to those questions you posed. We are fortunant indeed if we have a class that encourages us in our search. I was guest in a class several years ago that discussed that question about salvation you mentioned. “So, who is saved? Those who have faith in Christ and Christ alone?”
Being a visitor I felt bound to observe and not make comment mostly because the group were all “decision for Christ” oriented and as such they felt a specific time and place when they were saved. This is not a problem for me either as I full well remember too. But things got kinda sticky when the next question was asked. That question was the same one you folks mentioned and I quote it here: “Some brought up Gandhi and others wondered about the peasant who has never heard of the Gospel, but lives its essence every day. So, who is saved?” The question asked had a purpose and that purpose hinged on whether that person who had never heard of Jesus Christ and the gospel could be saved? Most of the men present, (it was an adult men’s class) said they had mixed feelings about it because of their belief that “through Christ alone” we are saved. The study leader asked me if I would like to comment? I did want to but prefaced my comment with I too believe it is through Christ alone that we are saved… but I have heard the gospel I know who Christ is and I am responsible for either believing in what Jesus did for me or not believe. But as for those who have not heard about Jesus I have to trust God is dealing with them too so they might be aware of who Christ is in a context they would understand, even though I would not. This is the cosmic God of the universe who saves souls and creates all things, who has it in His divine power to somehow present Jesus in His atonement to the buddist monk or the muslim or the most pagan of humans in such a way that they would have opportunity to accept or reject the saving blood of Jesus the same as me. The “how” is what is the mystery but we serve a God who is all about mystery, thanks be to God. Like you commented above, “My concern is for my own works, my own struggle to particpate in God’s divine nature and, in doing so, to serve my fellow beings.” Oh that’s so true and we do want to do that. Thanks for your comments and critique of the lesson. Spence
Just dropping in to say Thank You for putting my link up in your sidebar. I love the idea of a blogging Sunday School class. Keep sharing.