If Faith Then Works

Catholic View:	FAITH + WORKS
Protestant View:	FAITH + 0
Our View:	FAITH ⇒ WORKS

 

At the church I attend, we recently had a series on the differences between Catholics and Protestants. It was an excellent presentation, well thought out with plenty of solid Biblical references.

At one point, the pastor drew on a whiteboard the diagram you see above, minus the last line. I stared at that diagram for much of the service and liked it, but something about it bothered me.

There is a problem with the Protestant equation, although it is technically correct if we are talking about justification -- or what Pastor Whipple called "first tense salvation." It is the tendency of Protestants to stop judging themselves. My Dad once described it as "crossing your arms and waiting for the Rapture." Or to use Paul's race analogy (1 Corinthians 9:24-27): Stopping at the side of the track whenever you like, for as long as you like. Hey, worst-case scenario, you're on the track and can't be asked to leave, right?

My pastor concluded his sermon with a beautiful truth: Because of Christ's sacrifice, we can draw near to God without worrying about whether or not we're adequate. We can confidently approach God's throne (Hebrews 4:16). But then he went on to describe why we should do good works -- just for the joy of it.

It's a wonderful notion, and one that is completely at odds with what we know, and what the Bible teaches, about human nature. Someday, in our glorified bodies, we will be motivated by the joy of serving God. But in our fallen bodies? Our motivations will always be selfish: laziness at best, self-glorification more likely, and the desire for power and wealth at worst.

That's why I think the third equation above is the correct one, and the one that is most in-line with what the Word teaches -- that is, if we see past justification (merely qualifying for the race) to the finish line (the Kingdom). The logic experts say that arrow represents "if A then B." If it is true that we are justified by grace (A), then it is also true that we must do good works (B). Not to earn our justification (the traditional Catholic view), but to earn our place in the Kingdom (Revelation 3:21).

We shouldn't just cross our arms and wait until joy motivates us to be productive (the traditional Protestant view). Because if we do, we may just find ourselves in the stands at the next event -- or worst yet, outside of the stadium altogether.

- Jordan

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