Kankakee Valley Post, Volume 12, Number 11, DeMotte, Jasper County, 22 January 1942 — THE PASTOR'S COLUMN [ARTICLE]

THE PASTOR'S COLUMN

by Ivov. Geo. Got«h. Pastor of the St. John's Lutheran Church of Union Township ,

Quite frequently you tvili hear someone say, “It does not ! so much depend on what you believe, as how you live”. Such a highsounding, but hollow phrase shows the total lack of regard for the revalation of God in His Word of Truth for our salvation. It is, indeed, the sum and Substance of the religion of this world, the religion of selfrighteousness, the religion of works. It is downright heathenism. As an illustration let us look at the tree and its fruit. The fruit never makes the tree] but the tree produces the fruit. However, fejie quality of the fruit shows the true value of the tree. The works never produce faith, but just the reverse, faith produces works. Bui do not overlook this fact, the works show the quality of faith! A weak faith will produce works of questionable quality, while a strong faith will be rich in good works. As truly as faith withouts works is dead, as truly as the works prove the faith to be a lively faith, so truly ijt is not the works, but faith by which we are saved. “Therefore wo conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law." says Saint Paul, Romans 3:28. Our text. Matth. 8:1-13, brings us two examples of true, lively faith. W" shall see. in whom such faith trusts; how it proves itself in our life; arid which is the end and aim of such faith. Sunday School at 9:30, service at 10:15 a.m. The first Sunday in February we shall have holy communion. The collection lifted in that service shall go to Valparaiso University.