Connecting Dots

This week I heard 22 of my students take me through a gospel presentation with me pretending to know nothing about God. Over and over again I heard them say that this whole salvation thing is by faith, you just have to believe. When I pressed further and said it sound too easy. Most of them said, well you gotta do good things too. So there were two opposing dots they were putting on the table. So I have been mulling over how to explain to them the connection.


Dot number one: Salvation comes through faith alone. It is not by works so that no one can boast. We do have to just believe. 


Dot number two: Faith without works is dead. Our obedience is a requirement of our faith. 


As I was reading Galatians yesterday, God connected the dots for me in a simple way.


"What matters is faith working out in love". Love is the key. Faith without action is hypocrisy. Obedience without faith is legalism. The balance: love. 


A man and woman have to have trust or there relationship can go no where. They trust that the other person will be there for them, protect them, not leave them. They trust that when hurt happens the other person will make steps to make it better. They also have to do things for each other. it cannot be one-sided. They both have to serve, give, take, help, support, etc. What binds them though is love. They trust each other which leads to love. They love each other which leads to works. 


So it is with God. We start with faith. We believe He is powerful, He is there, He is our Savior and Sustainer. That trust leads to love. It is our love that makes us want to read our Bibles, go to church, love people, not sin, not be selfish, give up things. God starts the process. He made the way. He draws us in. He proves Himself trustworthy. We respond in faith, in trust. Then He loves us which we respond to with love. Faith without works is dead, because it is faith without love. You cannot trust someone and not love them.   You cannot love someone without serving them and "doing" for them. "What matters is faith working out (that's works) in love."