October 26, 2008Ephesians 2:4-10The apparent need for religion in human life throughout history is a fascinating one. What is it about us human beings that drives us to search for and establish meaning, goodness, or purpose beyond ourselves and beyond the day to day need to survive?
Religion has been found in every society studied by anthropologists. Even though many wrongly discard religion as unscientific, irrational or even pathological, nonetheless this human need and experience is ever-present. Scotland is still traditionally a Christian nation with 42% of the population saying they are members of The Kirk (the Church of Scotland - Presbyterian). But early Pictish religion is presumed to have resembled Celtic polytheism. Gods, deities, spirits dwelling in land, sea and sky, in natural objects like rocks and trees.
Christianity made its way into Scotland beginning in the 2nd century and was firmly established by the 6th and 7th centuries. Typical of the Scots, the Scottish Celtic church had, for centuries, particular liturgical and ecclesiastical differences from the rest of Western Christendom. You Scots are a stubbornly independent sort, you know.
Then, of course, in the 1500s, John Knox initiated the Scottish reformation following Martin Luther and John Calvin by breaking with the papacy in Rome. Today the Church of Scotland is recognized by law as the national church of Scotland yet still independent from the State, as Presbyterians have always insisted. The most recent census says that 42% of Scots are Church of Scotland, 27% of no religious affiliation, 15% Roman Catholic, 7% other Christian denominations, then less than 1% each Islam, Buddhist, Sikh, Jewish, Hindu, and others.
So what’s the difference? Aren’t all religions the same at their core? Does it matter what one believes about God or the gods, the nature of being human, and how to live as a society or as individuals? I. The Uniqueness of Biblical Christianity A cursory study of the world’s religions reveals the uniqueness of biblical Christianity. I think of it as “religion” vs. “relationship.” In religion, we human beings try to appease the anger and threat of the gods by pursuing things like ancestor worship, astrology, fertility cults, magic, rituals, sacrifices and spells. Christianity offers a relationship with the one and only living God, a relationship of love, mercy, grace, and life. In religion, people have to do things to make their own way, earn, deserve, attain, progress toward God or heaven, nirvana or salvation. In Hinduism, one seeks to live the righteous life, following the tenets of Karma, doing one’s duty to attain salvation from the world. In Buddhism, one follows the 8-fold path for wisdom, ethical conduct, and mental discipline including good things like right intention, right speech, right action, right mindfulness. Only in doing so can one realize enlightenment and enter Nirvana. In Judaism, God will reward the good and punish the wicked. There are no less than 613 commandments to obey. Obey and you’ll have blessing; disobey and you are cut off. In Islam, one submits to Allah in heart, soul, and deed. The five pillars of declaration, prayer, almsgiving, fasting, and pilgrimage are required.
Jesus Christ came to tell us that God comes to us in a very different way with his gifts of relationship, friendship, forgiveness, fulfillment, eternal life, and heaven. It is not up to us to reach God, the divine, enlightenment, or heaven at any level; it is up to God to reach us with his love.
Now, I’m not saying that doing good things is wrong. Going to church, being kind to neighbors, helping those in need, pursuing wisdom, ethical conduct and spiritual discipline are all good things to do. But your relationship and standing before God is not based on how well you do them.
II. By Grace Through Faith
You may have noticed two Latin phrases inscribed above the doors to this church building: “Sola Gratia” and “Sola Fide.” These were two of the cries of the Reformation. “Only by Grace” and “Only by Faith.”
We just read one of the great truths of the New Testament in Ephesians 2. “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.”
This is why we call it the “gospel.” This is why it’s “good news.” Because as hard as I try, I fall short of being the person, the husband, the father, the friend, the pastor that religion demands. Take the Ten Commandments or the 613 in Judaism or just the two that Jesus claimed. “Love God with your whole heart” and “Love your neighbor as yourself.” I break or fail to fulfill them everyday. Take any religious construct and you will fail at them as well as I. Anthropologists have also recognized that every culture has laws about good and bad. And every culture finds that they cannot keep the good they define. As humans beings we constantly fail at our own standards, let alone God’s.
Jesus Christ (“Emmanuel,” God-With-Us) came into the world and offers to come into our lives with the gift of salvation (rescue from the destruction wrought by our sin). He came with the gift of redemption (buying us back with the price of his own life) from the brink of eternal loss to eternal life. Jesus came to offer God’s mercy, forgiveness and reconciliation. And there is nothing you or I can do to earn it, deserve it, or work toward it. It is a gift, freely offered, freely received by faith.
The eight banners displayed today are described in your programs. They were designed in the ‘80s to represent eight historic creeds and confessions of faith in the Presbyterian Church. I hope you will read and enjoy them. Each of them reminds us of God’s gift to us in the life, death and resurrection of Jesus. In his life we see the kingdom of heaven present in wonderful words and mighty deeds. In his death, death on the cross, we see his supreme love, his sacrificial atonement for our sins. And in his resurrection, we see the promise of life eternal for all those who trust in him as Savior and Lord. Conclusion The Scots Confession was written by John Knox and a few other pastors at the request of the Scottish Parliament in 1560. “Cleave, serve, worship, trust” are key words in this confession of faith as a new chapter in Scottish history began. On Reformation Sunday (today, the last Sunday in October) we celebrate the choice of relationship over religion; of grace over works; of trust in Jesus Christ over self-pride and self-righteousness. “For we are saved by grace through faith.” By grace alone, by faith alone. Th’ Kirkin’ o’ Th’ Tartan, the blessing of the clans is meant to convey these truths. God isn’t much interested in religion. But he is interested in relationship. It is grace from beginning to end.
Let us pray together. |
