The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1924-07-28
VALUE OF HAVING
A SAVING FAITH
TOLD IN SERMON
Rev, FackIer breaches on
Worthless Chris
tianity./

the Rev. L. c. E. Fackler said Sun
day at st. Matthew Evangelical Lu-
theran Church while speaking on
Worthless Christianity"
"a living faith exerts itself to
show forth. deeds that are pleasing
unto God and it reveals a worth
while Christianity" the Rev. Fackler
said
Every real object" he said, has
its imitation, likewise Christianity.
Imitation Christianity may be called
pretentious Christianity or hypoc-
risy. pretending to be what one is
not Such a Christianity is good
for-nothing Christianity, or a worth
less Christianity. It is against this
that the Apostle James warns.
Those who want 70 boast of their
Christianity generally point first Of
all to their works. which in them
selves are worthless.
Those who rely on their works
for salvation are deceived by a false
perfection. We are not justified by
the deed Of the law. There is not
one that can work his way into
Heaven by means of his works.
There are some works that ap-
pear good to the eyes of man; even
a heather may perform a noble act,
but it is not sin atoning. How can
a clean thing come out OF an I'M
clean thing? We are not saved by
works lest any man should boast.
James says if a man should keep
the whole law and yet offend in one
point he is guilty Of all. So closely
are the laws related to one another.
Offending the Law
1.-The transgressioa Of one COM
mandment may not be as great as
the trangression Of another, but
IN either case the same lawgiver
has been offended-that is sin. You
cannot divide God, neither can you
separats His law.
Those who think that they can
be saved on the strength Of the
works which they think are good
are laboring under a deception. Paul
says dead works brings no justifica-
ton, no man is justified by the
works Of the law. Those works
performed with the view Of get
ting credit in heaven are worthless.
That Christianity that encourages
such works is a worthless Chris
tinaity.
There Is also a worthless love
practiced so openly today. Such
love has no mercy, no charity.
James asks, If a brother or sister
be naked, and destitute Of faily food,
and one of you say unto them, De
part in peace, he We warmed and
filed; Notwithstanding We give
them not those things which are
needful to the body. what does it
profit? Do you understand what
you read?
This apostle looks deep into hui
man nature and sinful disposition,
and brings to light that which many
do not like to face. Many people
viii look at the distressed and speak
so tenderly and kindly in the most
sanctimonious tonel Oh, you are
certainty in great need, and I know
the Lord will care for you. He has
given some people sufficient that
they can care for you. You will find
some one to administer unto you
Then they will dismiss them with,
Go in peace; I hope that you will
be fed and sheltered; and givetthem
nothing. Has such an one the
understanding Of these words mas
much as We have done it unto the
least Of these, my. brthren, ye have
done it unto ne?
Asking a Question
What kind of a christianity is
thet that does not move a heart to
care for the distressed? Is that one
a Christian who is not moved to
show forth love for the afflicted?
worthless christianity is branded
with a worthless faith. What does
it profit brethren though a man say
he has faith and has not works can
faith 81 e hinl?. If man says he
has faith and does not prove il his
faith is dead. The proof of our
faith is in the confession we make of
the revealed truth and the life
which corresponds to such a scrip
turaI teaching. Christianity is not
only something Of the head but also
of the hand.
Works without faith is not saw,
ing; loving words without action is
hypocrisity, and a saying that we
believe without evidencing the truth
in the actions is q deception.
IF we have a true living faith we
will produce the fruits of faith which
are good works. True works and
true love are established on a living
faith an living faith will not remain
idle. BY grace We are saved through
faith" Rev. Fackler said.