Togetherness

     I know that I am overwhelmingly dating myself, but there is an old song that goes: "Love and marriage, love and marriage, goes together like a horse and carriage.  You belong to me."  Today the scriptures give us another example of "togetherness" that expresses unity - faith and good works.   James reminds us that these two go together, cannot stand separate, if they are to unite us to Christ, bring life and be effective.

    The Church has had its struggles with this reality.  There have been and probably still are those who see the world and the things and needs of the world as being a distraction from what is "important".  Wouldn't it be wonderful to set aside the ugliness of the ungodly and dwell only in the beauty of the godly?  Yet the beauty that we have been graced with and entrusted with needs to be received and then shared.  We are called to bring the light into the darkness, to transform the ugly with the love of Christ, to bring fullness into the emptiness of hearts.  It is not enough for us to simple receive, to "take", to be content with what we possess.  It is incumbent upon us, so blest, to share the blessing, to spread the good news, by word AND action.  Another song comes to mind: "Reach out and touch, some body's hand, make this world a better place, if you can."

     The flip side of that coin, though, is to become the activist, the doer, the accomplisher of many things, all the while missing the reason that should propel us into action.  We are not called to be "do gooders", but to be Christ for others.  Doing good is great, but doing good because of our oneness with Jesus Christ, because he has taught us the why of our actions, is awesome.  The Church at times in history has given the impression that you could buy or earn your way into heaven.  When that idea surfaces, we have confusion.

     It is not a question of either/or ... it is a both/and situation.  If I truly have faith, then the natural response that gives proof of that faith lies in my living it out in action.  If I claim that I do good works, those good works, if done in Christ, will give evidence not only of good intentions and a kind heart, but also of my unity with Christ and my gratitude for his grace. 

     James tells us "For just as a body without a spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead."   Our life in God the Father, with Christ Jesus his Son through the Holy Spirit is one of Faith and Good Works together.  What a great gift.