Sunday, October 16, 2011

works. pshhh.

"We are saved by grace, after all we can do."

Misreading: There are TWO (2) things that save us:
  1. grace
  2. all we can do
If this is what we believe, then I agree with those that say Mormons are not Christians. Because salvation is not a partnership. It is not "You bring the grace and I'll bring the works." Salvation is a train ride. I can't picture myself saying "Me and this train brought me to Pittsburgh." The train brought me to Pittsburgh. I got on it. Jesus train. Passenger me.

After all I can do - after all of my efforts and works and obedience and contrition - I hope to generate enough faith in Jesus Christ to believe that he will save me. Believing that he can and will is the only prerequisite. But if I don't try - if I don't sacrifice and work and strive - I find it harder to believe. I doubt everything. And as my belief slips away, so does my salvation. So I work. Not to save myself. But so the Spirit will remind me that Christ is the way, the truth, and the life.

Rereading: "I am obedient so that my mortal mind and body can either receive or generate faith in Christ. So that he can save me. I work so that I believe."

3 comments:

Lohra said...

This is the most important lesson I've learned from you. From anyone really. Mercy used to be a foreign concept to me. A foreign concept in a foreign language. Now I know I don't have to work so hard.

Katherine Lewis said...

Thanks, Garred. This made me miss your Sunday school lessons...and you.

Unknown said...

Hi. I was at your father's funeral. He conducted an orchestra I played in. He really helped shape my youth. Your remarks were so well-expressed, that I googled your name and found your blog. Much more insightful thought expressed here. Thanks.

I hope the Mormon church will redact the final phrase of its Hymn #5: "...and save ourselves and all our dead." It doesn't express the sentiment that most of us have about Who provides salvation.