Arulvakku

19.04.2021 — Faith Precede Works

3rd Week in Easter, Monday – 19th April 2021 — Gospel: John 6,22-29

Faith Precede Works

The crowds who were seeking perishable food asked Jesus another question ‘what specific works they must do in order to obtain this eternal bread? (Jn 6,28)’. Steeped in legalistic religion, this question echoes their preoccupation with rituals, sacraments, good works, and tradition that is required to merit salvation (Rom 10,2-4). Jesus’ response contradicts this sense of works-based salvation. Salvation is not earned by any particular good deed. Jesus saw through their hypocrisy. They pretended that they wanted to work for God, and yet they did not want to have anything to do with the Son of God. Jesus made it clear that the work is not TO DO, but TO BE-LIVE on the Saviour. Salvation is based on the belief, in the One whom God had sent (Jn 6,29). It is not the works of the law, nor bringing of an offering to the altar; but faith in Jesus Christ. To the question of the Philippian jailer, “What must I do to be saved?” Paul replied as Jesus had done here, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved.” (Acts 16,31). Further Paul highlighted, Salvation is by faith through grace, and not by works; for it is a gift that God gives in response to one’s faith (Eph 2,8-10). Many seek to earn their way to heaven by good works. But before they can do good works for God, they must first believe in Jesus Christ. Good works do not precede salvation; rather they follow it. The only good work a sinner can do is to confess his sins and receive Christ as Lord and Saviour.