Dear people of Grace,
Former Archbishop of Canterbury William Temple (1881-1944) once said “The Church is the only society that exists for the benefit of those who are not its members.” When we really think about this statement, it is hard to accept. It acknowledges that whatever work we put in to being a good Christian and a good neighbor, this labor is not really for our personal gain, it is the continuation of Jesus’ reconciling work “for the life of the world” (John 6.51). That’s so shockingly counter-cultural and it doesn’t seem fair, and yet it is gospel!
Chapter 20 of Matthew’s Gospel introduces an image of the kingdom of heaven as being like a landowner seeking laborers for his vineyard. You know the story: at various times throughout the day he hires additional laborers to work in the vineyard, but he pays them all the same daily wage, regardless of how many hours they work. At the end of the day the original workers come grumbling to their master about how unfair it is that all receive the same, but he responds “Friend, I am doing you no wrong; did you not agree with me for the usual daily wage? Take what belongs to you and go; I choose to give to this last the same as I give to you. Am I not allowed to do what I choose with what belongs to me? Or are you envious because I am generous?” (Matt 20.13-15).
It is by grace, an unmerited reward, that we attain eternal life. “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God” (Eph 2.8). No amount of labor in the vineyard can result in a reward of additional grace. To avoid the risk of getting sucked into a “faith versus works” vortex, let’s park that there. The bottom line: it is through the merits and mediation of Jesus Christ that we are saved. All we can do is accept that grace which is freely offered to us.
Over the next few weeks I’m going to turn my attention to looking at Church from the perspective of those who are not its members. Generally, I have found that there are four types of people who are not affiliated with the Church:
- Those who have heard the good news, but have fallen away for various reasons (think the parable of the sower and the fate of the different seeds);
- Those who have never had any exposure to Church and who have never really heard the good news;
- Those who have had bad experiences with the Church and are so wounded they have no desire to return to a worshipping community, or to the God who allowed it;
- Those who have been rejected by the Church but who still yearn to have a relationship with God, but probably not with the institutional Church.
As I’ve previously mentioned, I spent a good portion of my adult life outside the church, and certainly fall into the first category on this list. I care about all these people, not because it will earn me additional grace points, but because our faith tells us it is only through an active relationship with Jesus Christ that we can experience life – real life – which begins right now and continues beyond our physical deaths. I want everyone to have that life.
I am thankful that we are not in a denomination which attempts to convert people through fear or manipulation or any other “tactic.” As Episcopalians we promote relationship – relationship between people and, hopefully, relationship with God. Some people will never bring themselves to a life of faith – at least in this life (who knows how God continues to reach out to us beyond the grave) but that does not mean that we cannot show them the love of God, through the genuine extension of friendship.
I know we all have people in our lives who fall into one of these categories. It is my prayer that by opening up a discussion over the next few weeks, we might be able to understand each other a little better and to understand the fears and perceptions which preclude others from a life lived in faith.
Everliving God, whose will it is that all should come to you
through your Son Jesus Christ: Inspire our witness to him,
that all may know the power of his forgiveness and the hope
of his resurrection; who lives and reigns with you and the
Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. (BCP, p.816)
Blessings and peace,
Deacon Nick