by Rev Douglas Brauner

Finding balance between faith and works

You can listen to today’s devotion by clicking on this SoundCloud link.

This bench, made of recycled bicycle parts, doesn’t look like a comfortable place to sit. Chains and sprockets don’t cry out comfort to me.

However, this “Pedal Perch,” as this bench is titled, has an important message. It speaks of the balance between recreation and conservation. Those who designed and built this bench are concerned about the impact mountain bike trails have on the environment. They dedicate their time to making trails accessible to the public while maintaining a respect for the environment.

Avon, Colorado

Isn’t life about maintaining a balance?

• Balancing family and work.
• Balancing exercise and rest.
• Balancing faith and works.

Let’s talk about this balance between faith and works. Paul writes,

“For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.”
Ephesians 2:8-9 English Standard Version

However, James writes,

“You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone.”
James 2:24 English Standard Version

Is Paul saying one thing and James another?

The problem is that both passages are taken out of context. Paul goes on to say that we were created for good works (Ephesians 2:10), and James states that we give evidence of our faith by the things that we do (James 2:18).

Scripture strikes a balance between what we believe and what we do. We are saved purely by the mercy and love of God through faith in Jesus. However the pure love of God is never alone. This love produces in us the desire and ability to do the work God has called us to do.

The Holy Spirit binds faith and works in this beautiful balance. The Holy Spirit creates the faith in us which grabs a hold of Jesus, and it is the Holy Spirit who produces the fruit which God works in us.

May God’s Spirit work this balance in each of us and in our Christian communities.

Copyright Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Colorado Springs, Colorado