Have you ever thought about grace? Protestants say
that we are saved by grace alone. Solo gratia is the Latin term and it is one
of the differences between protestant denominations and Roman Catholics.
Are we saved by grace alone?
Protestants say grace is all we need. Roman
Catholics believe grace comes with works. It’s our work that compliments and
cooperates with God’s grace. It is by grace we offer Him our works.
In Walt Disney’s Snow White, the seven dwarfs
worked their mine. It was a mine full of diamonds and precious jewels. They had all the
riches they would ever need; yet, everyday returned to work. Always happy in
work, they were even happier when work came to an end. They sang: “Hi-ho, Hi-ho, its home from
work we go!” (If you thought it was “off to work we go.” I did too.)
There is a lot of theology in that scene.
In the gospel Jesus tells the parable of the
servants. They
were all given a sum of money called a talent. One was given five, another two,
and a third one. A single talent was a lot of money. The first two were smart
and went off to work and increase that money. The third was scared he would lose
it. So, he buried it.
When the master returned, the ones who worked
and made more money were greatly rewarded. The one who did nothing had
everything taken away from him.
Think about that in terms of God’s grace.
God entrusts us with riches greater than money and
treasure. God gives us His abundant grace free of charge. That grace comes to fill
us with life, talent, and love to share with all those around us. We share His
grace in genuine works of unselfish love.
We flourish in God’s grace. But, Jesus’ parable
tells us to do something with it. Make the most of what you have. We will then realize
the abundance of God’s grace in life.
God’s grace is all we need. It is infinite. Anything
we bring is finite, but other people need us to cooperate and compliment God’s
grace with works in this world. Go out and make God’s grace grow by love for
God, for our neighbors, and even for those hard to love. Bring good and not evil, all the days of our life.
Don’t be like the last servant. Receive God’s grace,
never bury or hide it so to lose sight of God. Remain
in me as I remain in you, says the Lord whoever remains in me bears much fruit.
(JN 15:4-5) Even with God’s grace, we must persevere
to the end to be saved. (MT 24:13)
Not all who cry Lord, Lord, will be
saved.(MT 7:21) By free
will, not all will choose to cooperate with grace. .
Use it or lose it. If we don’t use love, we lose
it. If we do nothing or think we’re not worthy, we never realize the abundant grace
that fills us with life, talents, and love.
My brothers and sisters, it is not by grace alone
that God wants us to be in this world. We are saved by grace and are to live
out our salvation.
When the day of the Lord comes, or we just simply are
finished with our works here on earth and ready to go to our eternal home. Those
of us who complimented and cooperated with God’ grace, we might be told - Come,
share your master's joy.
Then we too can sing, “Hi-ho, hi-ho, its home from work we go.”
Yall
be good, yall be holy, and preach the gospel by the way you live and love.
Amen.
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