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A Story
The Master spoke to a disciple who was lazy, always talking about the amazing grace of God: Son, you need to work as though there is no grace. Then, the Master advised another disciple who was wearied always by his efforts, finding little time to rest: Son, you need to rely on grace as though your work does not matter.
Leaves and Sap, Work and Grace
Leaves use up nutrients through photosynthesis. The leaves consume nutrients in the sap. A suction action is formed, drawing more sap from the roots. This drawing of sap keeps the leaves and branches alive. The work of the leaves makes possible the inflow of new sap.
This infusion of sap is comparable to the conjunction between grace and work. The infusion of grace, which is a continual dispersal of life-giving energy throughout the person, is made possible by the cooperative action of the person. Likewise, the infusion of grace precedes action, when looked at from the perspective of grace.
So, how do grace and work cooperate? Grace relies on work; work relies on grace. Grace makes possible work; work makes possible grace. Grace and work, divine infusion and human action, subsist within and through us in a symbiotic relationship.
Scripture: James 2.14-26 (ESV)
14What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? 15If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, 16and one of you says to them, "Go in peace, be warmed and filled," without giving them the things needed for the body, what good [or, benefit] is that? 17So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.
18But someone will say, "You have faith and I have works." Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. 19You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe—and shudder! 20Do you want to be shown, you foolish person, that faith apart from works is useless? 21Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up his son Isaac on the altar? 22You see that faith was active along with his works, and faith was completed by his works; 23and the Scripture was fulfilled that says, "Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness"—and he was called a friend of God. 24You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone. 25And in the same way was not also Rahab the prostitute justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out by another way? 26For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also faith apart from works is dead.
Spiritual Exercise
1. Do you see faith and grace working together in your life? How?
2. Do you tend to stress work or grace as most important? Explain?
Prayer
God of all Grace, imbue me with grace, that I may work; grant me diligence in work, that I may know the imbuement of grace. Amen.
OneLife Ministries is a pastoral outreach and nurture ministry of the First United Methodist Church, Fort Meade, FL. For Spiritual Direction, Pastoral Counseling, spirtual formation workshops, Christian meditation retreats, or more information about OneLife, write Rev. Dr. Brian K. Wilcox at briankwilcox@comcast.net . Brian's book of mystical love poetry, An Ache for Union, can be ordered through major bookdealers.
Open Hearts, Open Minds, Open Doors
The People of the
United Methodist Church
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