ETHICS AFTER EASTER - Axiom #2

Moral theology is properly considered under the heading of sanctification, not justification. It is part of our walk from the font. Doing good will not save us; we do good because we have been saved. (Chapter 1)

We are always looking for justice, for recompense for wrongs done to us or rewards for our own right actions. Part of this comes from our own embedded-ness in a consumer economy and the entitlement mentality that is so pervasive in our culture. We want what is owed us, and we demand that others pay for their mistakes. But this entire point of view is not a part of the Christian response, which is based on selflessness, putting our focus on the needs and rewards of others, and being a servant of those who are less fortunate than us.

Paul's letter to the Romans is the holder of much of his core theology of justification. In it are many of the quotes from which this axiom derives:

"For ‘no human being will be justified in his sight’ by deeds prescribed by the law, for through the law comes the knowledge of sin." Romans 3:20

"For we hold that a person is justified by faith apart from works prescribed by the law." Romans 3:28

"...since we are justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ..." Romans 5:1

"For one believes with the heart and so is justified, and one confesses with the mouth and so is saved." Romans 10:10

Our understanding of justification is not that of quid pro quo, but of God's grace. We are, therefore, sanctified, made holy, and express that sanctification in how we pronounce our belief in that salvation through the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. We pronounce it in our baptismal covenant, we acclaim it in our worship and liturgy...AND we do live it in our lives and actions.

But our ACTIONS are a RESULT of our being saved, not PREREQUISITES for our salvation. This is one of the essential problems with many Christians who believe that they must DO in order to BE SAVED. On the other hand, it is also an axiom that has been appropriated by some who believe that they are saved and, therefore, their actions have NO IMPACT on their salvation.

We'll see more of these two sides addressed throughout Ethics After Easter. Which side do you tend to favor? How do you understand salvation?