Languages

For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

(Ephesians 2:8-10 ESV)

Yesterday, I shared the gospel in Japanese with my grandmother! One thing I've been concerned about is my language abilities and recently I've been trying to review my Japanese in preparation. Besides my rustiness, one obstacle to explaining the gospel in Japanese is learning all the relevant vocabulary. However, being forced to explain the gospel has forced me to strip away all the "Christianese" that while holds deep meaning, isn't always necessary in explaining the gospel to others. As such, I was excited that God still was able to use me despite my lack of abilities as a messenger of his good news.

Specifically, I talked about this verse from Ephesians and the relationship between faith and works. I'm still amazed to know that grace is solely by faith alone, knowing that there is nothing I have to do in order to be saved. Paul makes it clear writing that faith is a gift from God, not a result of works or anything I do. There's nothing I have to do such as be a good person or give up my possessions or care for the needy in order to be saved; rather God gives his grace freely as a gift when we believe.

Now while salvation is by faith alone, I don't mean to say good works aren't important. Salvation may be by faith alone, but that faith is never alone. As James explains, "For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also faith apart from works is dead." (James 2:26 ESV) A true faith produces good works, but grace is not the product of good works. Rather, out of the joy that we have in being God's adopted children and workmanship, we strive to do the good works he prepares for us (Ephesians 2:10).

While I think that sometimes this is hard to explain in english, I've before been intimidated in knowing I have to share how truly amazing the gospel is in a foreign language. However, I know the Lord will prepare and provide the way for me to do whatever He wills in Japan. He even promises Moses to be his mouth in Exodus.

Then the LORD said to him, “Who has made man's mouth? Who makes him mute, or deaf, or seeing, or blind? Is it not I, the LORD? Now therefore go, and I will be with your mouth and teach you what you shall speak.”

(Exodus 4:11-12 ESV)

Thank you Lord for both working in me and working at my heart to give me the desire to live for you.

for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.

(Philippians 2:13 ESV)