“So it depends not on human will or exertion, but on God who shows mercy”(Rom 9:16 NRSV).
The other day I was leading my Bible Study at the retirement home where we’re reading through the book of Romans. We came to the above mentioned verse, and the surrounding passage in which Paul emphasizes that one’s election into the family of God isn’t because of who you are, or who your ancestors were, but simply because of God — that’s why it’s called election.
I shared that as a Presbyterian, this is where we get our understanding of being saved by the Grace of God alone. That if it was left to us, we would just keep on sinning. But because of what Jesus did, we are now free to do something more — to strive for holiness. And for no other reason except that God loves us and God wants us to be God’s, not sin’s.
One of my group, of whom I think the world, later challenged me on my belief in salvation by Grace alone. They admitted that it was because I was Presbyterian and they were not, but what they wanted me to know is that they felt very strongly that salvation depended more on a person’s public profession of Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. Grace alone, they suggested, was not enough without our profession of faith.
Instead of going on about that pivotal difference, what I want to share with you is what this person said next. ”You believe in salvation by Grace, and baptize babies,” they said. ”I believe in salvation through the decision to accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior and a ‘believers’ baptism. One of us is right; one of us is wrong.”
What did I say in response?
“Why can’t we both be half-right?”
When it comes to theological matters like election and salvation, people do disagree. People disagree about a lot of things, and those disagreements can and do divide them, not just one church from another, but single congregations.
But why in order for someone to be right does someone else have to be wrong? Why does it have to be wrong for me to baptize an infant because I believe that child is a child of Grace? Why would I have to believe that a person is wrong to tell someone they have to make a profession of faith? Why can’t we both be half-right, about this and other matters of faith?
Did Jesus not tell Nicodemus that matters of God were like the wind, which blows wherever it chooses — how we hear it (and feel it) but don’t know where it comes from or where it’s going (John 3.8)? Does the Bible not say that no one can know the mind of God, or understand everything that happens under God’s Sovereignty?
And so although I believe I am right to believe that we are saved by God’s Grace alone, I am no more right than a person who believes otherwise. I am no more right because I believe that when it comes to matters that happen on earth under heaven, including our salvation, no one can and no one does know everything.
Thus, none of us are never right about anything, especially when it comes to faith. We only come as close as faith will allow, and even then we may be right or we may be wrong, but only God really knows. So in the end, no one could and should ever claim to be completely right about anything, conceding that when it comes to matters of God, we can only be half-right.
Except about one thing.
God does love us. Through Christ God did save us. And as the Holy Spirit, God is with us helping us understand the right and resist the wrong.
Anything that says otherwise is wrong. Of that, at least, I know I’m right.
Baptism and public professions of faith aside, can we actually be sure that grace alone is what gives us salvation? Where do actions fit into this scenario?
Ahh, the faith and good works question. Some seem to suggest that good works precede Grace in that if they didn’t, then salvation could be lost. A view of salvation by Grace alone, though, moves those good works AFTER Grace in that WE love because GOD first loved us, and our good works become not to merit salvation but to express gratitude.
I grew up Baptist and they do not baptize infants. They baptize a person after they have decided to become a Christian. But I do not believe that baptism, either of infants or adults/children is what saves a person. I think baptism is just the outward profession of what has happened. It’s like wearing a wedding ring. The ring itself does not make you married, but it shows others that you are.
I tend to agree that it’s only grace that saves us, but I also think that we have to make a decision to accept what He did for us. An interesting concept that was brought up about baptizing infants in another church I was in was that it’s done to show that God puts His hand on us and seeks us out even before we know of Him. I like that.
Allen, this is an issue that’s been a big one for me since I really started studying and reading the Bible several years back. From my long and very intense upbringing as a Christian, I am well-acquainted with the traditional protestant view of salvation – that we are saved by Grace alone, and our “good works” simply demonstrate our faith – but don’t actually have any “salvific” qualities by themselves. This, of course, leads to the common conclusion that no matter how much good you do in the world, if you have not accepted God’s grace through Jesus, you are not, and cannot, be saved.
But there is so much in the Bible that does not seem to back up this theological notion, the letters of Paul notwithstanding.
Of course there are the famous, and controversial, comments in the book of James about how faith without works is dead, and about how someone is considered “righteous” by what they do, and not by “faith alone.”
But I’m not even talking about that. For me, the real kicker on this topic are the stories about, and words attributed to, Jesus in the Gospels. Jesus’s consistent message, as portrayed in the Gospels, is that salvation has virtually nothing to do with “faith,” and has almost everything to do with actions, good works, adherence to the Torah, and helping others. In short, salvation comes through good deeds. Jesus tells us this explicitly in the gospels – more than once, in fact. Perhaps the most explicit scene is when the rich man asks Jesus how to get eternal life. Jesus basically responds by quoting the 10 commandments. Nothing about “faith” or “grace.” Simply do good and follow God’s rules.
There is also the Parable of the Sheep and the Goats – perhaps one of my favorite passages in the entire New Testament. Matthew 25:31-46. Jesus explicitly and clearly spells out who gets eternal life and who doesn’t. And the people who receive eternal life are the ones who have helped others and done good deeds.
But the reason those are saved is because God knows us – who we are, what we can and hopefully will do; who can and will be sheep, and who will prove the goats.
What the Bible does say is that God’s hope is that all would be saved. The sad reality is otherwise. Why? Just as Wisdom is proved by her actions (ala Jesus’ own words) then so too is Stupidity.
Why? Only God knows. But … What would the Exodus be without Pharoah? And the crucifixion without Judas?
Again, only God knows.
But I believe in a loving and merciful God and I choose to live my life to please that God, and God’s hope for all persons. To merit my salvation? Certainly not because in my life I prove I don’t. Sadly so. But I try. And I give Christ the credit.
Hopefully that’s faith enough.
Yeah, I like that too Cheryl!
Well, since you brought it up….how does that Exodus story sit with you? It’s never sat particularly well with me. In it, God basically forces Pharaoh to be the bad guy. The text tells us explicitly that “God hardened his heart.” It would seem Pharaoh had no choice in the matter!