In my last post, I told you that the theology presented at our alternative worship service has been called into question by the "interim" pastor of our church. Some of the church council members have asked us if we are preaching anything other than "saved by grace alone."
I can't find anywhere in the bible where it says that I am saved by grace alone...end of story, nothing further required.
Everything I read says that I'm saved, but I need to believe in Jesus. I've even been exploring the ELCA website and all of the verses that it quotes tell me that I must believe in Jesus.From the ELCA:
How does righteousness fit into a theology of "grace alone"?
God, by this sacrifice and saving action, takes upon himself (sic) our own human death, thus upholding the promised covenant relationship which is our salvation. In fulfilling the covenant demand to uphold the relationship, God is proved righteous/faithful (Romans 3:26a).
What Must a Person Do to Become a Christian?
Jesus said, " Those who believe in me, even though they die, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die." (John 11:25-26)
Who will be saved?
The Christian hope for salvation, whether for the believing few or the unbelieving many, is grounded in the person and meaning of Christ alone, not in the potential of the world’s religions to save, nor in the moral seriousness of humanists and people of good will, not even in the good works of pious Christians and church people. ... There is a universalist thrust in the New Testament, particularly in Paul’s theology. How else can we read passages such as 'for as all die in Adam, so all will be made alive in Christ' (1 Cor 15:22)?" (See also Colossians 1:15-20, Ephesians 1:9-10, 1 Corinthians 15:28.)
I encourage you to read the entire passages not just the quoted verses and you'll see what I mean.
And I offer this verse:
Romans 10:9-10
For if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by confessing with your mouth that you are saved.
A couple of weeks ago, we sang a song call "Sing For Joy." The first verse says:
If we call to Him, He will answer us
If we run to Him, He will run to us
If we lift our hands, He will lift us up
Come now praise His name, All you saints of God.
The "interim" pastor asked, "Does God require of us something before God answers us or runs to us or lifts us up? Does the song encourage the understanding that we believe that God demands from us some form of work first? What happens if we call and it seems God does NOT answer?"
It doesn’t suggest to me that I have to do specific works to gain God’s grace, but rather that I must reach out to God in order to feel his presence in my earthly life. It’s like in Luke 15:11-32, the story of the prodigal son. I can live my life without a relationship with God, not calling to him or running to him or lifting my hands to him and God will let me go about my way. But, once I realize the need for God in my life and turn my life over to him (that's FAITH) and call to him and run to him and lift my hands to him, God will celebrate like the father in the story and welcome me with open arms.
To answer his last question, I'll quote Garth Brooks:
"Some of God's greatest gifts are unanswered prayers."
Peace
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