Memorial of Saint Boniface, Bishop and Martyr

 

Lectionary: 355

He saved us and called us to a holy life,
not according to our works
but according to his own design
and the grace bestowed on us in Christ Jesus before time began....

The Christmas movie Polar Express ends with the insistent demand, "Just Believe!" Children old enough to track the story are assured -- for perhaps one more year -- that there is a Santa Claus and they should still believe in him. Regardless of what they may see or hear. 

The admonition, of course, is familiar to any Christian -- sola fides. ("Faith alone.") Martin Luther triggered the Protestant Reformation when he and the German princes rebelled against the heavy demands of Rome. The Catholic Church had been selling indulgences to raise funds to build the massive Saint Peter's Basilica in the Eternal City. To poor peasants and their landlords, the Church's offer of salvation relied upon their ability and willingness to pay. Rather than trusting in the mercy of God, they should render a steep price in coins if they hoped to attain eternal life. 

Luther insisted, "Just Believe. Trust in God."  We're saved by faith alone, and not according to our works. The image of God was transformed from an overbearing, demanding, and stern father like Martin's own father Hans into a benevolent patron who overlooks our foibles and shepherds his chosen people into the Bliss he'd intended all along. 

Remarkably, that doctrinal adjustment has never come easy. Despite the popularity and appeal of sola fides, we humans seem to want a more demanding God. He should expect more of us! He should not be too easily pleased because we might become spiritually lazy. And that failing will leach into our work and study habits. Duties and demands might be put off till tomorrow, and we will not prepared for the crises and catastrophes that befall us on a dynamic planet. 

Sola fides is a step in the right direction but there is a next step which must follow: 

He saved us and called us to a holy life, not according to our works but according to his own design...

First, we must notice God's sovereign authority over us, our decisions and our lives. We are his people, the sheep of his flock. He saves us not because we deserve it, or because we need it. It's not about us. My salvation is not about me. 

Noticing God's authority, we must bow before it. We should be holy as God is holy; our choices, life style, work, leisure, and relationships should show it. 

But if my life is not about me, what is it about? We'd like to know.
"Ad Deum Gloria" -- it's for God's greater glory. 

If we enjoy life and love and beauty; if we enjoy both excitement and relaxation; if we enjoy curiosity, exploration, discovery, research, and learning; if we enjoy creativity, ingenuity, new skills, and abilities; if we enjoy giving and receiving assistance, support, affection, and love; if we enjoy companionship, friendship, family, and solidarity -- it's all for God's greater glory and honor. 

And if my life with all its adventures, setbacks, sorrows, and pleasures is not for God's glory, it's an empty show. And the vast universe with its mystery and majesty is left without meaning. Stephen Hawking once remarked, "We might understand how it came to be, we do not know why." Only our gratitude before God's grace and mercy can answer that question. 

So why do we work so hard?

"God is easily pleased, "C.S. Lewis said, "but hard to satisfy." And, as happy children who love our Father, we delight in attempting it. We will not be satisfied until He is.