Vacation

If you are the average American, you are probably thinking about what you are going to do with your vacation time this year. A part of living the American dream is taking the family away somewhere each summer. You work hard, grind it out each year, endure a lot of stress but the carrot-on-the-stick is always the summer vacation. Whether it’s a trip to the beach, the majestic mountains, an ocean cruise, a journey to a beautiful tropical island resort or driving across America with the kids in the backseat (another reason to love the seatbelt law). We all look forward to the vacation.

It is kind of ironic how this parallels life. The purpose of the vacation is to replenish our energy banks for another year, go to some beautiful destination and to have happy times around our family. In life, we are in pursuit of happiness with the hope of eternal life with our family in the real paradise called heaven. How great is heaven?

• Matthew 13:44: "The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field."

Jesus Christ is our travel agent & guide in the Big Picture.

You can try to get to navigate to heaven without Christ but you will fail. You may have some good times and see some beautiful scenery. And in our life on this earth, just like in the National Lampoon movie Vacation, you'll see some underwhelming things along the way like the World's Largest Ball of Twine. You'll experience some unfortune like having your hubcaps stolen in East St Louis, sadness and bad timing with Aunt Edna dieing, financial hardship like Cousin Eddie, temptation by the Blonde in the red Ferrari, and the fear and agony of being stranded in the desert like the Griswolds.

• John 1:2-3: Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.

But in the end, this WallyWorld called heaven won't be closed to believers.

"Good God, Morning!"

If you are in search of happiness, never underestimate the importance of refilling your spiritual bank with the Holy Spirit on a weekly basis by attending church. You should strive to refill it daily.

As Archbishop Fulton Sheen once said, do you wake up and say "Good God, Morning!"? Try waking up and saying "Good Morning God" and thanking him for the many ways he has blessed your life--and he has when you take time to think about it. Pray more as praying establishes a friendship with God and Christ.

We can achieve gratification and happiness from things of the world but they are temporary. Why? Ultimately, sustained happiness comes through our Lord.

• Ecclesiastes 2:26: To the man who pleases him, God gives wisdom, knowledge and happiness, but to the sinner he gives the task of gathering and storing up wealth to hand it over to the one who pleases God. This too is meaningless, a chasing after the wind.

Are we there yet?

Are you happy? What is happiness? Being at peace with yourself. Saint Augustine said it best:

"Our hearts are restless until they rest in Thee, O Lord" -- St. Augustine

When we finally arrive at our end destination in this life on earth, we all hope to hear: 'Well done, good and faithful servant! Come and share your master's happiness!'

Until then...

Romans 15:13: May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Peace be with you

© Michael J. Cox

Freedom in the "Land of the Free"

One of the sad ironies of being a Christian living in the "Land of the Free", is that our "freedom" has resulted in a decay of our society and has enslaved many.

As Father John Corapi said, we live under a false premise in society that Freedom is the ability to do whatever you want to do. That is license and we have become a very licentious society. Freedom is supposed to be a good thing but there is a fine line here. God gave us free will, but freedom also gives us the ability to choose good or evil. And unfortunately, our lawmakers have given us too much "freedom".

As Father Corapi points out, "the more you abuse Freedom, the more you lose Freedom." Under the pretext of Freedom, many people today have become prisoners of sin or worldly things: materialism, drug addictions, alcohol abuse, pornography and a host of selfish pursuits that take away from our spouses and children.

• 1 Corinthians 8:9: Be careful, however, that the exercise of your freedom does not become a stumbling block to the weak.
• Galatians 5:13: You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love.

What is the result our "freedom" as Americans? Unhappiness, depression and guilt later in life, the degradation of our society, broken families from the above problems and "No-fault divorce" laws that easily split families and make a mockery out of the "Until death do us part" sacrament of marriage. Want proof of the state of our nation? Anti-depressants are the most prescribed drugs in America today. (link)

Everything on earth is of God but the spirit of this world is not--we live in a fallen world. Just turn on the television and see shows like "Sex and The City" which glorifies promiscuity and all the sex, drug use and violence in the movies. On the political front, liberalism and radical feminism has pushed for abortion on demand, No-Fault Divorce (aka divorce on demand), and Gay/Lesbian marriage. The Domestic Church (The Family Unit) and building block our society is under attack and endanger.

Three out of four Americans are Christians: WE are the majority. We have to take control of our lives, our country and help those around us to keep them on the path of God. As Christian parents, we need to care about what our children are watching on television, the music they are listening to and the computer games they are playing. If their eyes are filled with things that glorify sex, drugs and violence, don't be shocked later with the output. As Father Corapi says, its GIGO (Garbage In, Garbage Out). Put Godly things into the portals of our souls and Godly things will come out.

As a loving parent, remember discipline is needed. It is OK to be soft-hearted but dont be soft-headed. Most importantly, don't follow the standard of what other parents allow their kids to do. You should aspire for your children to be of good moral character, to be leaders and hopefully model citizens prepared for the world when they become adults. You aren't going to get this following the ways and norms of the secular world on childrearing.

In marriage, God has a divine plan for the Domestic Church. Husbands need to be spiritual leaders of the home and love their wives as themselves like Christ loves the Church. Wives need to submit and respect their husbands. The latter goes contrary to American culture and radical feminism which preaches women to be independent and that men are immaterial. Every woman needs to be financially independent but independence and doing whatever you want goes against the grain of marriage when two become one flesh.

In the current culture, is it any surprise that two out of every three divorces are initiated by women? Is it any surprise the U.S. has one of the highest divorce rates of any industrialized nation in the world? Is it any surprise that behavorial disorders and criminal behavior is strongly linked to fatherless homes? (link) The breakdown of our society is largely due to the breakdown of the Dometic Church.

Women's Lib/Men's Lib

We must realize that real Liberation and Freedom is found in Christ and that real authentic human freedom cannot exist apart from the truth. It is no better stated than in the Catechism of The Catholic Church:

Liberation and salvation. By his glorious Cross Christ has won salvation for all men. He redeemed them from the sin that held them in bondage. "For freedom Christ has set us free." In him we have communion with the "truth that makes us free." The Holy Spirit has been given to us and, as the Apostle teaches, "Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom." Already we glory in the "liberty of the children of God." CCC 1741

A couple of scriptures that support this:

• John 8:31-36: To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, "If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." They answered him, "We are Abraham's descendants and have never been slaves of anyone. How can you say that we shall be set free?" Jesus replied, "I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave to sin. Now a slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it forever. So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed."
• Romans 8:1-2: Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death.
• Galatians 5:1: It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.

Why we have failed

We Christians have failed because we have been complacent, weak, spineless and silent. We have been silent by failing to vote, silent by not writing our politicians on key moral issues. We have been silent with family and friends who stumble in their daily lives. We have adapted the philosophy that if it doesn't hurt or affect me, it doesn't matter. As Father Corapi said: "How else can you participate in the sin of another, BY SILENCE! And we have had a deafening silence for too many years." (link)

CCC 1868 Sin is a personal act. Moreover, we have a responsibility for the sins committed by others when we cooperate in them: 1) by participating directly and voluntarily in them; 2) by ordering, advising, praising, or approving them; 3) by not disclosing or not hindering them when we have an obligation to do so; 4) by protecting evil-doers.

Ultimately, we all are paying for the silence of sin.

Why have we been silent? Because we don't want to take a stand for God. Jesus wasn't afraid to take a stand.

• Matthew 21:12-13: Jesus entered the temple area and drove out all who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves. "It is written," he said to them, " 'My house will be called a house of prayer,' but you are making it a 'den of robbers.'"

As Christians, we have been misguided into silence by the thinking "He who is free of sin, cast the first stone." It is important to note here that Jesus made this comment to a woman caught in the act of adultery, at a time when adulterers were stoned to death. If we take the viewpoint that we are sinners and should remain silent because we too sin, then we are a doomed society. Who then, will be eligible to raise us up on earth and steer us down the right path towards God? Because every pastor, preacher, or priest is a sinner as well.

It is also important to note that Jesus did not condemn the adulterous women but he did say "Go and sin no more!" As Christians, we have to be an instrument of Christ, we have to raise eachother up and not condemn those who sin: love the sinner, hate the sin. If we truly love our family and friends, we have to will the very best thing for them: heaven and eternal life.

• James 5:19-20: Brethren, if anyone among you wanders from the truth, and someone turns him back, let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save a soul from death and cover a multitude of sins.

And as Christians, the best way to lead a brother or sister down the right path is being a living example of scripture ourselves.

• 1 Timothy 4:12: Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity.
• Titus 2:7-8: In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us.
• Romans 8:9: You, however, are controlled not by the sinful nature but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ.

In the battle between good and evil, between God and Satan, we all know who is victorious in the end from Revelations. Don't you want to be apart of the winning team? Don't you want your family and friends to be on the winning side as well? Do you care enough about the world our children will inherit?

Then stop being a silent spectator!

• Ephesians 2:1-2: As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient.

Don't give into sin and the ways of the world, free the Holy Spirit inside of you and let it make a difference to those around us and in the world.

© Michael J. Cox

The Benefits of Confession

The recent Clint Eastwood movie Gran Torino made me understand why some cradle Catholics become lapsed Catholics. I highly recommend the movie despite its language and violence because Gran Torino does contain a very central Christian theme in the movie. I won't give too much details as not to reveal spoilers but Eastwood portrays a lapsed Catholic widower named "Walt Kowalski." Kowalski is a stubborn Korean War veteran who wasn't fond of the idea of confession and especially to the young priest in the movie Father Jankovich.

I feel that the confession part of the Sacrament of Reconciliation is something that keeps many away from Catholicism or Eastern Orthodoxy. We all are embarrassed by our sins and we don't like talking about them. Some Christians feel that our sins are between God and ourselves and they don't feel that they need to confess their sins to anyone. However, scripture shows us that confession is good and that Jesus gave the apostles the ability to forgive sin:

• James 5:16: "Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective."


• John 20:21-23: Again Jesus said, "Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you." And with that he breathed on them and said, "Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive anyone his sins, they are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven."
• 2 Corinthians 2:10: "If you forgive anyone, I also forgive him. And what I have forgiven—if there was anything to forgive—I have forgiven in the sight of Christ for your sake."

Confession Requires Humility

I feel that Confession is something keeps many away from the Catholic church. Does anyone really like to confess their sins to someone else? I know that I don't but we have to remember the importance of humbling ourselves before God:

• Peter 5:6: "Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time."

• James 4:6: "...'God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.'"

Jesus tells us of the importance of being humble like a child:

• Matthew 18:3-4: ..."I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven."

Why Confession is Good

It is often said that churches are the hospitals of the emotionally wounded. Many Christians carry around lot of "junk in the trunk" emotionally from their past. It is often easier for us to forgive someone else's sin against us than our own sin sometimes. However, for others it is not. If we hang on to sins committed against us, it is against God's will and the Devil loves a vengeful hard heart. Satan is an opportunist and he loves to enter these emotional wounds and inflict more damage. Remember the power and importance of forgiving:

• Matthew 6:14-15: "For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins."
• Matthew 18:21-22: Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, "Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me? Up to seven times?" Jesus answered, "I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times."

Confession helps keep us on the right path spiritually and helps us unload the unnecessary emotional baggage we carry around. Whether you think that your sin is personal in nature, chances are that it still affects somebody or is a sin against building God's Kingdom on earth. One can confess their sins to a member of church, but confessing your sins to one central figure like a priest prevents your sin from being spread and distorted through gossip (another sin).

Whether or not that you believe a priest can forgive sins through the power of the Holy Spirit, confessing your sins to a priest does allow a well-educated spiritual man to give you advice if you continue to stumble.

Here is where my own life experience comes in. I was a casual friend of the late Darrell Porter (1982 World Series MVP). Before I came to know Darrell, he fought his own battles with drug and alcohol addiction when he played baseball in the 1970s. It was with the Kansas City Royals that he got his life together and became a born-again Christian. He wrote a book about his journey titled: "Snap Me Perfect: The Darrell Porter Story. "

Darrell was one of the most beautiful Christian men you would ever hope to meet. A devout family man and Christian that had a radiant personality. Darrell was always smiling and doing work for the Lord and telling his story. He was a very active member in the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. Friends said he led bible studies at his Baptist church. He always signed his autograph with a scripture. The autographed baseball I have, he signed it with Proverbs 3:5-6.

Well, one Monday afternoon in August 2002, sadly Darrell was found dead at a local park. Dead at age 50. Shockingly, an autopsy revealed that he had died from effects of cocaine use. Like so many, I just couldn't believe it and thought he had gotten his life together for good. I cried at the loss of such a good man and especially the thought of how devastating his loss had to be his wife and children.

Many times since his death, I often wondered if Darrell had ever confessed to anyone that his personal demons had resurfaced and that he was stumbling again. I also wonder if he had been Catholic and had to confess his sins, that he might still be alive today.

If this blog hits too close to home for you, I hope that do something about it. Don't be too proud or stubborn like Walt Kowalski to humble yourself and make a confession. Humility is one of our weapons against Satan. Remember too, humility is Christlike because Jesus gave us the most ultimate example of humility:

• Philippians 2:8: And being found in appearance as a man, he (Jesus) humbled himself and became obedient to death—even death on a cross!

© Michael J. Cox

“Do This In Remembrance Of Me”

One of the first truths I uncovered in my spiritual journey was the need for Holy Communion (aka The Eucharist or Lord’s Supper). My mother was Catholic and my father came from a Protestant background and later became Assembly of God. Consequently, I was never baptised as an infant so that I could decide my faith when I got older. One of the Catholic beliefs that I struggled with growing up was the belief in the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist.

Some Christian denominations believe Holy Communion is only a symbolic act. Well, as the bible tells us, all scripture is God inspired (2 Timothy 3:16). You can’t believe some parts of the bible and not all of it. And scripture shows the importance of the Eucharist and supports the real presence of Christ in it as I will demonstrate below.

If we are all followers of Jesus our eyes and ears should perk up whenever he is quoted in the bible. And it should be important on how we remember him. So how does Jesus Christ really want us to remember him? With a special holiday for his birth? By wearing a crucifix around our neck? By putting up a nativity scene at Christmas? With a “Honk if you love Jesus” bumper sticker? All of these are good things but in Luke 22:19 and 1 Corinthians 11:24-25, Jesus was extremely clear on how he wanted us to remember him.

• Luke 22:19: “And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, "This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me."


• 1 Corinthians 11:24: “and gave thanks to God for it (bread). Then he broke it in pieces and said, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this to remember me.”


• 1 Corinthians 11:25: In the same way, he took the cup of wine after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant between God and his people—an agreement confirmed with my blood. Do this to remember me as often as you drink it."

So it should be obvious how Jesus wanted us to remember him. He doesn’t say how often we should “remember him” but I feel that this distinguishes the difference between gathering together in his name for fellowship, prayer, hymns and learning (as he says whenever two or more gather in his name, he will be there) versus attending a church service that fully honors Christ.

As followers of Jesus, I feel that an integral part of a church service should be remembering Christ (as he asked to be remembered) everytime because Jesus Christ is the head of the church. If we are the Body of Christ, we should desire the fullness of His body.

Symbolic Act or Real Presence?

So now comes this issue of whether Holy Communion is a symbolic act or one with the real presence of Christ. Jesus tells us:

• John 6:53-56, Jesus says "I tell you the truth, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day.” For my flesh is real food and my blood is real drink. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me, and I in him.”

Some Christian denominations believe that Jesus was talking in parables here and they believe that Jesus’s teachings are the flesh and blood. They point out scriptures in John Chapter 6 (6:35 and 6:48) when Jesus says “I am the bread of life.” It is important to note that John was the only one of the four Gospels that did not write a personal testimony about the institution of the Eucharist at the Last Supper (link).

Proof of Real Presence

Apostle Paul gives us the insight that Holy Communion has the real presence of Christ to the members in church in Corinth with the following scripture:

• 1 Corinthians 10:16: “Is not the cup of thanksgiving for which we give thanks a participation in the blood of Christ? And is not the bread that we break a participation in the body of Christ?

If Holy Communion was just a symbolic act with no real presence, why does Paul indicate the seriousness of eating the bread and drinking from the cup when he says we should examine ourselves before doing so? Read below:

• 1 Corinthians 11:27-30: Therefore, whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord. A man ought to examine himself before he eats of the bread and drinks of the cup. For anyone who eats and drinks without recognizing the body of the Lord eats and drinks judgment on himself. That is why many among you are weak and sick, and a number of you have fallen asleep.

Would partaking in a symbolic act cast judgment on oneself if it was purely symbolic? Paul says only if we do so without recognizing the body of the Lord and says that is why many of the members of the Corinth Church were weak and sick.

A beautiful contemporary Christian song I recommend everyone listen to is "Upper Room" found at this link. It is the third song on the picklist: http://www.catholicmusicnetwork.com/cmn_cd_detail.asp?PRODUCT_ID=50559

© Michael J. Cox

Please note my May 1st, 2009 blog on Real Presence

Salvation by Faith Plus Love

One of the longstanding arguments between Protestantism and Catholicism centers on the issue of salvation. Many Protestant denominations believe eternal life is achieved by “Faith Alone” whereas Catholics believe in “Faith plus Works.” Some Protestants believe that we are saved by “Grace Alone.” While there some scriptural truth to all of these, I propose an even greater truth that we are saved by “Faith plus Love.” Please bear with me as I will support my belief with scripture. My intentions are not to inflame or create dissension, but rather to achieve harmony and unification on the issue with all Christians.

Faith Alone?

Martin Luther, the “Father of Protestantism,” believed in “Sola Fide” or salvation by Faith Alone. Examining scripture on the issue, it would be a truth to say that we are saved by Faith but it would be misleading to say that we are saved by Faith Alone as I will illustrate.

Numerous scriptures support the concept of Salvation by Faith and here are a few examples:

• John 3:16: "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”
• John 5:24: "I tell you the truth, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life."
• John 6:40: "For my Father's will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day."
• John 6:47: "I tell you the truth, he who believes has everlasting life."
• Acts 16:31: "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you shall be saved."
• Romans 10:9: "That if you shall confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shall believe in your heart that God has raised him from the dead, you shall be saved."

Catholicism teaches Salvation by “Faith plus Works(Deeds)” which there is scriptural proof to support this as well. However, it is important to point out that Catholicism does not teach that one can earn their way into heaven: Our salvation is through Grace and a gift from God to believers and not of Works Alone (See Ephesians 2:8-10). The reason why Catholic teaching is truthful is that if we truly have Faith, we will see proof of our faith in our actions:

• James 2:14-18: "What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds(works)? Can such faith save him? Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to him, "Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed," but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. But someone will say, "You have faith; I have deeds." Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do.
  
• Romans 2:6-7: God "will give to each person according to what he has done." To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality, he will give eternal life.
• James 2:26: As the body without the spirit is dead, faith without deeds is dead.

Jesus confirmed that belief that he was the Son of God isn’t enough:

• Matthew 7:21-23: "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?' Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!'"
• Matthew 25:43-46: "I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me. He will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.' Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life."
  

The book of James points out the validity of Faith plus Works and even states that we are not saved by Faith Alone:

James 2:20-24: “You foolish man, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless? Was not our ancestor Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did. And the scripture was fulfilled that says, "Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness," and he was called God's friend. You see that a person is justified by what he does and not by faith alone.”

A scripture in Galatians 5 supports the above and illustrates that Works of the Law (in this example circumcision) was insufficient by itself for salvation:

• Galatians 5:6: For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.

Overall, Works/Deeds are byproducts of Love and Faith--if it done without expecting anything in return.

But here is another example of achieving Salvation that centers around the Ten Commandments. But note that these involve love of God (obeying God’s commands) and loving thy neighbor:

• Matthew 19:16-19: “Now a man came up to Jesus and asked, "Teacher, what good thing must I do to get eternal life?" "Why do you ask me about what is good?" Jesus replied. "There is only One who is good. If you want to enter life, obey the commandments." "Which ones?" the man inquired. Jesus replied, " 'Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not give false testimony, honor your father and mother,' and 'love your neighbor as yourself.'

Finally, here is another scripture regarding Holy Communion (The Eucharist) being tied to Salvation that I believe is both Faith Plus Love.

• John 6:53-54: Jesus said to them, "I tell you the truth, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day.”

My belief that this is scripture that is both Faith Plus Love is due to the fact that if we believe in Jesus Christ and want eternal life, we will do this. Christ never asks us to remember him with a crucifix around our neck or a special holiday for this birth, he says about Holy Communion “Do this in remembrance of me” (1 Corinthians 11:23-25). If we love Jesus, we will honor his wishes by partaking in His body and His blood to remember him.

Grace Alone?

Another belief amongst some Protestants is that Salvation is achieved by “Sola Gratia” or by Grace Alone. It is true that we are saved by God’s grace as found in the following scripture.

• Ephesians 2:8-9: For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.

I have already demonstrated why we are not saved by Faith Alone and it is important to note that we are not saved by Works/Deeds Alone (as the scripture above points out) or Works of the Law Alone (Galatians 2:21). But are we saved by Grace Alone? Nowhere in scripture does it state that we are saved by anything “alone.” To believe that we are saved by Grace Alone would cause us to ignore all other scriptures on salvation and scripture is an all or none proposition--meaning that you have to believe all scripture or none of it.

Is it possible that we can be saved by Grace Alone? Yes, with God all things are possible (Matthew 19:26). A good example can be found in Luke 23:39-42 with one of the criminals who was hanging on a cross near Jesus. One criminal said: “Aren't you the Christ? Save yourself and us!” But the other criminal rebuked him. “Don't you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence? We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.” Then he said “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” Yet, what did Jesus say? Jesus replied “I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise.”

This is clearly an exception to the rule and example of God’s grace. But wait a minute here, isn’t God’s grace love? God’s grace is love because it is something positive that we receive when we don’t really deserve to receive it.

Conclusion

If you step back and look at scripture on the issue of salvation, every scripture on salvation can be placed into one of three categories: Faith, Love or Faith+Love. So how important is Love? Consider this. God created us in his image (Genesis 1:27). God loves us and God is love (1 John 4:16). Loving him and loving others is what pleases God and he sent His Son to set an example for us. Ephesians 5:2 tells us to: “live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” Jesus = Love because he was the greatest example of love (1 John 3:16)

Apostle Paul tells us the importance of Love in 1 Corinthians 13:2: "If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.

Jesus tells us the importance of love in Luke Chapter 10:

• Luke 10:25-28: "Teacher," he asked, "what must I do to inherit eternal life?" "What is written in the Law?" he replied. "How do you read it?" He answered: "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind'; and, 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'" "You have answered correctly," Jesus replied. "Do this and you will live."

As Paul states in 1 Corinthians 13:13 “These three remain: faith, hope and love.” Is the greatest of these Faith? No, as Paul writes “the greatest of these is love.”

© Michael J. Cox