Understanding Luther - Essay Example

?Understanding Luther (Luther: James epistle is against Paul’s) In Martin Luther’s Preface to James, the former did not consider the latter’s epistleas writing of an apostle due to the following reasons. Luther tried to compare James’ epistle to that of Paul. Based on chapter 4 of Paul’s epistle to Romans, Luther pointed out that it was only Abraham’s faith which justified him before God and it is entirely apart from work. However, Luther believed that this is contrary to what James pointed out in chapter 2 of his epistle that ‘faith without work is useless’ (verse 20). Luther tried also to point that James considered the perfect law as a way to liberate men from bondages (James 1:25), However, Luther believed that Paul considered the law as the law of slavery, wrath, death and sin. In this ground, Luther was confident in his stand that James opposed Paul and the scriptures and whatever the apostles were able to accomplish by stimulating people to love. It is therefore evident that Luther was comparing both James and Paul’s epistle on the ground of faith and work. His stand was evident on Paul’s writing and he used this as his basis to consider James’ stand between faith and work as completely contradictory. Paul’s teaching about works and faith in Galatians Paul’s teachings about works and faith in Galatians are evident. His very example was the faith of Abraham which was considered righteousness before God. He would offer his son, by believing in God and that certain faith moved the hands of God on him. In this example, Paul pointed out that Abraham had faith and because of that, he would be willing to offer his son, as God commanded him. Paul depicted that real faith certainly would result to action that would justify it, just like what Abraham did. In the same way, Paul pointed out that it is only by faith we are justified in Christ. He supported it that righteousness could not be gained through the law, but through the death of Christ, being crucified with him and living in his life (Galatians 2:17). It is therefore by faith in Christ Jesus that one’s faith is justified in Christ (Galatians 2:16). Believing what we hear through Jesus is the ultimate way to receive the Spirit (Galatians 3:2). To live in Spirit is an act considered by Paul which results to having its fruit such as love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22). Therefore, Paul was clear about its message that having faith in Jesus is about living in righteousness guided by the Spirit. Thus, there is an act involved in here to be initiated by man, combining the real essence and power of both faith and work. James’ teaching about works and faith in James James was also bold and clear about his stand on faith and works. ‘You foolish man, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless (dead)?’ (James 2:20). James wanted to emphasize that faith is made complete by what the person does (James 2:22). Abraham was made righteous and was remarkably remembered of his faith because of his ability to obey God to the fullest even if it would mean the life of his dear son. James just wanted to emphasize that a genuine faith would result to doing great things, no matter how hard they might be for as long as it is pleasing before God and in accordance to His will. Evaluating Luther Luther was exactly missing the real point of what righteousness is all about. He did not consider the fact that faith and works are interrelated which was elaborately shown by the epistles of Paul and James. However, compared to Paul, James was very bold in saying that genuine faith results to works that are acceptable and pleasing to God. Luther had a point believing that works cannot justify a person before God. It is absolutely true because the scripture is clear about it. ‘For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God – not by works, so that no one can boast (Ephesians 2:8-9). However, Luther is missing the point about good works. There are certainly works that are completely pleasing to God, but there are others which are completely filthy rags before Him, those that are apart from faith. The problem is that Luther should understand further that genuine faith should result to doing things God commanded. Luther did not completely understand about the idea of obeying God’s Law which was summed up by Jesus into two: ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind; Love your neighbor as yourself’ (Matthew 22:37, 39). If Luther had faith in Jesus, then he would exactly do what Jesus commanded him to do. Thus, this should show him that genuine faith is accompanied by works in accordance to God’s will which are considered to be righteousness before God. Thus, genuine faith in Jesus is completed by works which are pleasing and righteous before God. This completely nullified his point that the epistle of James is not a writing of an apostle. The very point is the fact that Paul completely agreed that genuine faith is accompanied by works pleasing and righteous before God. ‘Anyone who receives instructions in the word must share all good things with his instructor’ (Galatians 6:6). Furthermore, Paul encouraged the people in Galatia to depart from their old sinful nature (Galatians 5:21). This command needs to be work out by living in Spirit (Galatians 5:18). If these people indeed have faith in Christ, then they would listen to Paul’s instructions. This significantly involves the depiction of work as an outcome of having faith in God. Understanding Works and Faith Works and faith are interrelated and this is how it was presented in the epistles of James and Paul. It is true that works cannot justify us before God because it is only through our faith in Jesus we can become righteous before Him and receive salvation (John 3:16). However, once we receive our salvation, Paul commanded us to continue work it out with fear and trembling and he emphasized that our own works would be nothing before God, for it is His works in us to will and to act according to His good purpose (Philippians 2:12). In other words, as believer and follower of Jesus Christ, one should develop his or her faith in Jesus and do what he exactly commanded to do, and that is the will of the Father in Heaven. ‘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 (Matthew 7:21). Abraham was considered righteous because he did the will of God, but this is because of his genuine faith in Him. Real faith therefore results to doing the will of God and not just seemingly good works based on the human standard. Read More