Opus 2024-416: With Fear and Trembling

One of the big questions in the spiritual walk of a Christian is the relationship between works and grace.  Those on the Calvinistic side would say that there is nothing we can do that influences our salvation.  The problem with that position is it contradicts repeated Biblical statements about how our actions influence things.  The earliest I can find in a quick search is,

(Job 34:11 KJV)  For the work of a man shall he render unto him, and cause every man to find according to his ways.

What requires a bit of attention is the fact that even Paul, the disciple of grace, makes statements in that direction,

(Rom 2:6 KJV)  Who will render to every man according to his deeds:

And in the last book of the Bible, and I believe the last chapter of the Bible, we find the same sentiment.

(Rev 22:12 KJV)  And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.

I think I see three basic approaches to salvation and its relationship to our actions:  The Little Red Hen, The Millionaire, Gestalt

The first would be a little red hen.  If you are not familiar with the children’s story it involves a heroine, the Little Red Hen (LRH), who embarks on a journey to produce a loaf of bread.  It goes through the entire process of planting the grain to baking the dough.  At each step the LRH asks the other animals if they will help in the process.  They repeatedly say, “No.”  When the bread comes out of the oven she again asks if they will help eat it and, of course, they all say “Yes.”  Then she says, “No.  You did not work to produce it so you cannot eat it.”  We see the reward of works based nutrition.  I am sure you can see the parallels.

The second would be that TV program called the millionaire.  You may not be old enough to remember it but the thesis was that a mysterious benefactor would send his minion out each week with a check for a million dollars, tax free.  The only condition was that they could not tell anyone that they had received the money.  Fun is had by all but it is clear that the elect individual had nothing to do with the reward.  Grace abounds.

The third would be a system, where God grants salvation, and acknowledges our participation in living a holy life.  I call this Gestalt because it involves the entire Bible and does not shuffle off little bits that we don’t like.  We make choices about being righteous or wicked.  It is clear that our original condition is that of sin but the forgiveness and mercy of God are evident from the beginning.  Even though you are expected to live an obedient, upright life it is still clear that salvation comes from God.  You can’t work enough to buy God off.  He does not expect you to.  He simply expects you to do that which is in your ability to live in righteousness.

The Bible is written in this paradox of free will and sovereignty.  Most theological systems discount, ignore or deny clear statements of scripture.  

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