Being forced to choose between “being saved” or “doing good works” is presenting a false dichotomy, as did the sterile debate over “faith” and “works” during the Reformation. Thanks to the Lutheran-Catholic dialogue, both sides now agree that we are saved by our faith in Jesus Christ not by our works, but our faith in Jesus compels us to do works of charity and justice.
The Christian who claims to believe but does not love does not truly believe. “By their fruits you will know them.” If we believe in Jesus then we follow him, for he is the way, the truth and the life. His way is the way of love.
For the same reasons, putting “being saved” in opposition to “doing good works” is also a false dichotomy. Although Christianity has a venerable history of hermits, Christians are not saved by isolating themselves from other people. Christians are saved by listening to and sharing God’s Word in community, by believing and trusting in God’s love, and by responding to that love by loving one another and all God’s children.
I once posed a question to an ecumenical gathering: “If Martin Luther were alive today, could he and the Vatican make a deal?” Most of the participants thought the answer was “yes,” but although the Catholic Church caught up with Martin Luther at Vatican II, the Protestant churches and the world have moved way beyond Luther.
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