Saved by Grace- Judged by Works?

For as long as I can recall there has always been this tug-of-war between grace and works.

Someone will proclaim that we are saved by grace, only to hear, yea, but what about good works? Someone else will emphasize the need to obey and do the will of God, only to be cautioned that we cannot earn heaven.

So which is it?

We are saved by grace. To that there is no doubt. If you are not convinced just read Ephesains 2:8-10.

But yet it seems we are going to be judged by works. The great judgment picture that Christ paints in Matthew 25:31-46 indicates that, as does his words in Matthew 7:21-23. Then there is Paul’s plain statement of this fact in 2nd Corinthians 5:10.

So, are we saved by grace and yet judged by works?

P.S. I added a pic of Mother Teresa because in my lifetime I have not known of anyone who sacrificed more and worked harder in the name of Jesus.

Watch out for them ashes

I visited Pompeii today. The explorium in Mobile, Alabama has a wonderful display on that ancient city complete with the plaster casts of some of the long-ago vicitims of Mt. Vesuvius.  What I learned is this- if you are ever near an active volcano and start seeing ashes rain down- get out as fast as you can!  

Today

I was actually with our Young at Heart group. This is Gateway’s rowdy bunch of Senior Saints. I was their bus chauffeur and we started the day at the absolutely gorgeous Bellingrath Gardens. “Mr Bell” was a product of America’s Gilded Age and made his fortune in pioneering Coca Cola distributing. The gardens and house he left are not quite as opulent as some, but very reflective of his day and time.

It was a fun day- especially being with that fun group.

Yea, but will you give up your pew for me?

All churches think themselves to be friendly. Just ask them and they will tell you! But being friendly to each other is not the same thing as being friendly to guests and newcomers.

Last year my family and I stopped to worship with a church while on vacation. The foyer was abuzz with activity, warm greetings, handshakes and hugs- except for us. There we stood and for quite some time- me, my wife, our two kids (both under four) and my mother-in-law. No one- not exaggerating here- even acknowledged our presence. Finally I grabbed a guy by the arm and asked where our kids should attend Bible class- and he did not know! Yet, if I were to ask someone from this church if they were a friendly bunch the answer would be in the affirmative.

Then there was this church my sister visited with her husband in their community. They approached a glass door which to them seemed to be the main entrance, but it was locked. They knocked and saw people turn to see them through the door, but no one came. They knocked again and were about to search out another entrance when finally someone- with great effort- came and unlocked the door. The first words from this person were not of welcome. My sister and her husband were asked why they tried to come in that door since it was never used. Do you think they ever returned there?

I have a friendlness test for churches- Will members give up their favorite pew for a guest? Once while being the guest speaker at a church, I was actually asked to get up because I was sitting in someone’s spot on the pew!

When guests come into our midst we should never assume they know anything about our church culture and where they need to be and when. We should be extremely sensitive to their needs and help make their worship experience as easy and stress-free as possible from the moment they park their car until the last “amen” is said.

I already know the answer if I were to ask your church if it is friendly. What I really want to know is- will you give up your pew for me?

But What About Clapping?

Consider this possible judgment scene scenario- We are there waiting to learn our destiny and some hear this:

Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to drink, I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me. - Matthew 25:41-43

Devastating words, and for many totally unexpected. Shock and incredible unbelief hits the stunned recipients like the proverbial ton of bricks. Protests begin.

“But wait Lord, this simply cannot be! You forgot to mention a few things here. You said nothing about worship and worship preferences. What about my commitment to weekly communion? That was the most important thing I did! What about my passionate position on praise teams, song selection and instrumental music? I stood up for you on these. And then there is clapping? How could you not mention that? I spent a great deal of time discussing this topic and I did it all for you, Lord. I did it in your name!”

Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’ Then I will say to them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’ – Matthew 7:22-23

Somehow I think it is going to be about more than those one to two hours a week we spend together in worship.  

Lose Fat Without Trying!

Now that is what I am talking about! Losing fat without trying through “24 tricks that work for any shape”- just sign me up baby!

I think that is the point because not only does this magazine cover promise fat loss, it tells me I can ”walk off more weight” while I “eat without guilt” so I can “cure” my “body image blues”. And just to reinforce this it asks me, “Why wait? Get a hot summer body NOW!” Yea that would be cool. I live in a beach town, you know.

I guess all of this is part of being “Confident, Healthy & Strong”. Reading this mag will “recharge” my “mind & body in 20 mins.” This recharging just also happens to include tips on how to “save money and your health” while having a “brighter smile.” Wow!

And wow is how I would describe the slender beautiful young woman with the perfect white teeth on the cover who is apparently demonstrating all the things on the cover to be true.

And I used to think I had to work to accomplish such a transformation. Now I know better. I am just sittting here eating Hershey’s nuggets without guilt while typing and the fat is melting away. Unbelievable!

Exactly. Why do we buy into this stuff anyway?