Why do Jesus and Saint Paul make such a big deal about those who followed the law versus those who professed faith? Because those following the law thought it was their works and actions earning them salvation instead of recognizing it as a free gift from God.
And yet, our faith must work in love, as Saint Paul shared in his letter to the Galatians. Saint James even went so far as to say that, “faith without works is dead.” It’s not faith or works that saves us, it’s faith AND works.
We can think about faith and works using another analogy of Saint Paul’s – running a race. Initially, we stand outside the racetrack. God gives us a free ticket to enter the race – a ticket we did nothing to earn, but that are free to accept in faith. Once we enter, we have to run the race, and run it well to keep the faith.
Let’s pray Saint Paul’s second letter to his student Timothy in hopeful anticipation that we run our race well, with our faith working in love.
“For I am already being poured out like a libation, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have competed well; I have finished the race; I have kept the faith. From now on the crown of righteousness awaits me, which the Lord, the just judge, will award to me on that day and not only to me, but to all who have longed for his appearance.” Amen