Faith and Works

An old Scotsman operated a little rowboat for transporting passengers. One day one of the passengers noticed that the good old man had carved on one oar the word "Faith," and on the other oar "Works." Curiosity led him to ask the meaning of this. The old man being a well-balanced Christian and glad of the opportunity for testimony, said, "I will show you." So saying, he dropped one oar and plied the other called Works, and they just went around in circles. Then he dropped that oar and plied with the one called Faith, and the little boat went around in circles again---this time the other way around, but still in a circle. After this demonstration the old man picked up Faith and Works, and plying both oars together, sped swiftly over the water, explaining to his inquiring passenger, "You see, that is the way it is in the Christian life. Dead works without faith are useless, and faith without works is dead also, getting you nowhere. But faith and works pulling together make for safety, progress, and blessing.

Sad to say, many Christians have been trying to move in their Christian life by rowing with one oar.  This method obviously will not get one far but produces great frustration. Frustration in trying to do works without true belief.  Frustration in being bound by man-made criteria of faith.   Frustrated faith is easily abandoned.

 Ephesians 2 reminds us that because of God's love and grace, we can be forgiven from our sins.  This is a gift. We cannot do anything to earn it. We must believe and accept his gift of salvation.   Yet, as we accept this gift, God begins develop us into his workmanship to do good works.  The natural response of our faith is good works. 

Let us always remember that true progress in our spiritual life only occurs as we move with faith and works working together.

Come see us Sunday.  We will be talking about that.
Pastor Jeff