Good Deeds of Faith

One friend of mine, who is an evangelical protestant, had always stressed to me that salvation is not 'through one's works but through God's grace'. But I argue, 'faith without work is dead'.

When one professes that he believes in God through Jesus, he is called a Christian. With that identity he must exercise his faith not for his salvation but for the salvation of others. While it is through that no one can save one's soul except Christ and Him alone.

As I learned from the Church, the passion and death of Jesus, brought salvation to all those who believe in Him. All sins are forgiven through him. As he rose from the dead, his believers must also rise from unbelief, lack of faith and the old sinful ways.

It is a work of faith to reconcile with God, while repentance calls for a 180 degree turn from sin. It is faith at work to be doing 'good' to others, for Jesus said "love one another" as He loved us. Faith then should manifest in the work.

The expressions of our faith and our love of God are meaningful symbols. True, one does not merit salvation from doing good work, for without faith a good deed is nothing. This implies that as we believe in God we ought to, out of our love for him, become vessels of his love for others.

This we can do in so many ways, but yet we do them for ourselves. "Help those who are in need, because some day they may help you in times of your need." Thinking this way is not a manifestation of Christian faith. Consider the Samaritan for his compassion to help someone who would not meet him again or those who would not be able to return the favor.

Christ did not do what he did because he wants something from the people, but because he desires that people live their life in full. A student I had feels so good and at the same time oblivious that he gave a decent looking old woman who speaks English 100 pesos because he didn't have any smaller bills, while she only asked for 80.

What does that 100-peso mean to the old woman, or 1 peso or 5 pesos to a child who risk his life to get on a jeepney to beg for alms? Compare that amount to what you have, surely you had more than that, it feels alright because 'with that small amount' you think you were 'able to help'. To me, that is the worth you give to others who in the eyes of God is equal to you.

When Jesus preached about the dinarius to be given to Ceasar, He emphasized on the woman's act of faith, she gave all that she had. Jesus himself, gave all that he had. If we believe that our life is not our own, and so then it must be given all back to God. There are more meaningful ways to show our faith - the best of which is being one with God in Spirit and in prayer.

When we had a retreat recently, I was not expecting anything for me. But through out I was praying that God blesses and touch the hearts of those who really need. On retreats I would always ask God to meet me. But this time, I was just praying for others. And, he heard my prayers for those I prayed for.

Emptying our cup so we can be filled is an act of faith. Filling others' empty cup is also an act of faith. If a work of faith is an act of love and manifestation of God's love, then it has to be generous, unconditional even to the point that it pains the one giving, for that pain will turn to joy.

Be empty to be filled. You do not need to flagellate your back. You do not need to nail your self on wooden cross. You do not need to walk from one church to another while in between your pilgrimage you gossip and binge. You just need to be still and do what good deeds of faith the Spirit of God will tell you.

To be empty, start out by reconciling your self with those people who have inflicted you pain and those you have hurt so badly. To be empty forego the bitterness in your heart. To be empty let Jesus, in the silence of your heart, take all the thorns and callouses that prevent you from living your life as His follower. Let Jesus live in your hearts forever.