The words of verse one of today's readings and the following verses can initiate a discussion about faith and good works ... a frequent topic for Catholic-Luthern dialogs. Since it does concern a central issue in our faith, let's take thoughtful look at the matter.
Benedictine Father Wilfred Theisen, OSB, cited the following words from Martin Luther's The Freedom of a Christian: Faith is truly active through works, that is, it finds expression in works of the freest service. We are named after Christ not because he is absent from us, but because he dwells in us, that is because we believe in him and are Christs one to another. So what is this faith and works debate. What are we supposed to think, to believe, to practice. We are dealing with the matter of salvation, aren't we? The first verse of the reading speaks about salvation. What do we think? This question is important because it is the one question that brought about the Protestant Reformation ... great divisions. Is salvation by faith alone, or by faith plus works? Am I saved by just believing in Jesus, or do I have to believe in Jesus and do certain things? (GotQuestions.org)
Some will cite that St. Paul (For we hold that one is justified by faith papart from works of the law. Rom 3:28) seems to maintain that salvation comes from faith alone while St. James (You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone) says faith has to be accompanied by good works. What underlies Pauline theology is the belief that when we accept the faith we become a new creation and, as such, our very nature calls us to do good works. St. James is not saying that it is a 1 PLUS 1 situation: faith PLUS works equals salvation. He, too, sees faith as an inner source of change, or power that will bring a Christian to be a good person, a doer of good works.
So, what do you pray about today? The conclusion with both Paul and James is that a person who follows Jesus but whose faith does not lead to doing good is in trouble!!!
Some will cite that St. Paul (For we hold that one is justified by faith papart from works of the law. Rom 3:28) seems to maintain that salvation comes from faith alone while St. James (You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone) says faith has to be accompanied by good works. What underlies Pauline theology is the belief that when we accept the faith we become a new creation and, as such, our very nature calls us to do good works. St. James is not saying that it is a 1 PLUS 1 situation: faith PLUS works equals salvation. He, too, sees faith as an inner source of change, or power that will bring a Christian to be a good person, a doer of good works.
So, what do you pray about today? The conclusion with both Paul and James is that a person who follows Jesus but whose faith does not lead to doing good is in trouble!!!
