Wednesday, February 27, 2002
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Wednesday, February 27, 2002 |
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Grace vs. works ... how does your religion stack up? By REV JOHN HATCHER This column usually takes a tack that seeks to bring diverse Christian links together under the umbrella of the Lordship of Jesus Christ. Consequently, I usually lift up all those beliefs and convictions that bring us together in the Christian family. But. As I listened to NBC Anchor Tom Brokaw interview Gordon B. Hinckley, president and prophet of the Mormon Church, it hit me that you can divide all religions into two camps, whether or not they carry the Christian label. Hinckley said, "Of course, we are Christians." Above all, the church now insists it be regarded as a Christian church, albeit one with doctrines about God, salvation and the priesthood that differ radically from traditional Christianity. For example: with Olympic fever heating up, the church's hierarchy recently advised the media that the term Mormon Church is no longer acceptable. Henceforth, officials declared, short references to the church should read: "The Church of Jesus Christ." In this way the church hopes to emphasize what Mormons share with historic Christianity. One religious camp is the "grace" camp. The other religious camp is the "works" camp. I sincerely believe, every scent of religion can be gathered to one of the two camps. Let me explain. "Works" means that my salvation or bottom-line,my getting into heaven depends upon something that I can do and must do. "Grace" means that my salvation depends upon what someone else can do and does for me. As I understand it, New Testament Christianity gathers to the grace camp although certain expressions of "Christianity" seem to gather to the works camp. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, i.e., Mormons, falls into the "works" camp although their president and prophet is not saying that it should be included into historic Christianity. For instance, to be a Mormon, one can't drink iced tea. Do you realize how apostate churches are that host dinner-on-the-grounds with plenty of sweet iced tea? I am not trying to put down the Mormons. They have many sterling characteristics including their commendable position on the importance of family life. Still, however, the dividing line falls between religion of grace and works. Within the Baptist world, one could find evidence of a religion of works rather than grace. As one friend put it one time, when all is said and done, it comes down to "drinking, dipping, and makeup." In other words, if you don't drink, don't dip snuff, and don't use makeup, you are home to heaven free. The Apostle Paul fought many a battle over the purity of the Christian faith precisely at this point of grace. He declared that one is put into right relationship with God "by grace through faith" in the Lord Jesus Christ. When Christians started a retrograde to keeping the law as trustworthy for salvation, he called them, "foolish." Why don't you do a grace/works test of your religion? If you are planning to get to heaven on your merits, work hard. If you are planning to get to heaven on grace, then hang very close to Jesus Christ because he is your ticket.
The Rev. Dr. John Hatcher is pastor of River's Edge Community Church in Fayetteville. |
