Numbers 21:4-9; Ephesians 2:1-10; John 3:14-21
There's
a saying attributed to Winston Churchill that speaks to the common, but
grammatically incorrect, use of prepositions at the end of sentences. It
supposedly came in response to an editor changing something that Churchill
wrote that made use of a preposition in this popular way. "This is the
sort of English up with which I will not put," was Winston's witty and
pointed comment. Grammar aside, prepositions play an important role in having a
correct theological understanding of God's saving work. Worse than a
preposition ending a sentence, getting the prepositions found in Ephesians
2:8-10 out of order can have some very negative spiritual consequences.
The
proper order of the prepositions that describe our salvation is "by,
through, for." In brief, the sequence of Ephesians 2:8-10 is that we are
saved by God's grace, through the faith He gives to us, for the works He's prepared for us. "By
grace" makes it clear that God's grace, not the work that we do nor the
faith that we have, is the active agent in our salvation. "Through
faith" shows us that faith, not works, is the means by which we receive
God's grace and all that He has done for us. These two prepositions under gird
the foundational truths which we hold so dear: Salvation by grace alone and
justification through faith alone. So far, so good. But we're often satisfied
with keeping these first two prepositions straight without given much thought
to the third one.
"For
good works" summarizes God's purpose for us in this world after we have
been saved. It reminds us that we Christians are meant to be of earthly good.
"We are His workmanship." God has crafted and called each one of us
for the very works that He planned for us from the beginning. The things we
own, the time we have, the skills and passions that we possess, and the
circumstances in which we live are all meant to be used in various ways to
display the glory of God in our lives. Luther put it this way, "God is the
Poet, and we are the verses or songs He writes."
Works
can't save us (we're saved by grace, through faith!), but our lives with Christ
are not complete if we neglect the works for which we were crafted. The works
prepared by Him and enabled in us through His Spirit are meant for His glory — and for our joy.
No comments:
Post a Comment