Faith and Works – Disagreements with the Protestants
In this sermon His Holiness Pope Shenouda III discusses the matter of faith and works and explains that salvation is by grace and by the blood of Christ, yet works have a clear value because they are the fruit of faith and the cooperation of the Holy Spirit.
Main idea: Scripture rejects reliance on the outward works of the law alone as a means of salvation, and at the same time rejects human works isolated from faith and the Spirit; whereas true works are those resulting from faith working by love and the cooperation of the Holy Spirit.
Distinction between types of works: The saint distinguishes between three rejected groups — the ceremonial outward works of the law, the righteous works of the nations before faith, and human works isolated from God — and three other types that have value when they are in cooperation with God.
The importance of the cooperation of the Holy Spirit: All true ministry and sacraments are the work of the Holy Spirit in the person, and baptism, confession, the priesthood and all sacraments are not merely human rites but a divine work accomplished by the Holy Spirit.
Faith working by love: True faith appears in works of love; for love is stronger than a mere theoretical faith, and faith without works is dead as James the Apostle says.
The theological balance: Salvation is given by grace freely, but this grace results in bearing good works because Christ works in us; if you deny the value of works you have denied the work of the Holy Spirit.
A practical call: The believer must ask whether his works are the cooperation of the Spirit or merely external appearances, and must seek the cooperation of the Holy Spirit so that his works be a real fruit of salvation.
The Coptic Orthodox spiritual dimension: Emphasis on the sacraments, the priesthood, and inner spiritual discipline as a way of life; and a firm rejection of any theory that sidelines the place of sacraments and spiritual grace in the salvation life of the person.
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