Father Mark

For I am convinced that neither death nor life, not angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

(Romans 8:38-39)


There is a new debate coming out of General Convention this year. It is the age old question which theologians have struggled with through the centuries, “are we saved by works or saved by grace.” I for one, am happy to see this question being asked because I know either answer is good (though for me one is better than the other.)

Presiding Bishop Schori has called it the "great Western heresy—that we can be saved as individuals, that any of us alone can be in right relationship with God." In some quarters it occurs through "insisting that salvation depends on reciting a specific verbal formula about Jesus." The specific verbal formula she refers to is what some of us call the Jesus Prayer; “Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner."

I have always been strangely suspicious of placing too much faith in my recitation of the Jesus Prayer. It seems so presumptuous to believe that my salvation can be influenced by this simple act. I understand how some might fall into this Pelagian heresy—believing that Jesus set for us a good example and provides the atonement for our sins. But, this allows humanity to possess full control and responsibility for obeying the Good News of Christ. We don’t have that much control. If it were completely up to us no one would every achieve salvation.

As we travel upon our individual roads toward God we are under constant attack by the enemy, whose favorite target is our vanity. When we are determined to find that personal door to salvation, he attacks most viciously by telling us we can petition our way to God. The Jesus Prayer is a wonderful little piece of mystical spirituality. Through it we can lay all that is in our hearts at the feet of Jesus. But it is not the source of our salvation—that belongs to God. When we say “Yes” to the free gift of God’s grace, then we are assured our place in the Heavenly realm.

Works are good—Grace is better. Don’t be distracted by the doctrines of man but focus on the Dogma of God in Christ Jesus.

Peace,
Father Mark