The Firefighter Parables
I am doing a series that looks to be six posts long, including this one. It might not be continuous. I’m calling it the Fireman Parables. Why it is called that will be evident soon enough. I should have a Biblical verse set for every parable, but the one that is over all of them will be this one:
What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him? If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, and one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit? Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: show me thy faith without thy works, and I will show thee my faith by my works. Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead? Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect? And the Scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.
Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.
-The Epistle of St. James, Chapter Two, Verses 14 to 24.
It is not the works that save, but they are evidence of the saving faith. This is a hard saying, but lack of works is typically evidence of a lack of faith…but works do not mean that faith is present. However, because one doesn’t see faith, this is kind of hard to elucidate. Therefore, I will use something more clearly evident to most people to attempt to be clearer than I would otherwise be able – the firefighter.
Parable #1 - The Firehouse
Parable #2 - Firefighting Procedures
Parable #3 - The Uniform
Parable #4 - Fighting Fires
Parable #5 - The Declaration
Parable #6 - Conclusion
What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him? If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, and one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit? Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: show me thy faith without thy works, and I will show thee my faith by my works. Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead? Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect? And the Scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.
Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.
-The Epistle of St. James, Chapter Two, Verses 14 to 24.
It is not the works that save, but they are evidence of the saving faith. This is a hard saying, but lack of works is typically evidence of a lack of faith…but works do not mean that faith is present. However, because one doesn’t see faith, this is kind of hard to elucidate. Therefore, I will use something more clearly evident to most people to attempt to be clearer than I would otherwise be able – the firefighter.
Parable #1 - The Firehouse
Parable #2 - Firefighting Procedures
Parable #3 - The Uniform
Parable #4 - Fighting Fires
Parable #5 - The Declaration
Parable #6 - Conclusion
posted by Hammertime at
5/16/2005 11:44:00 PM
3 Comments:
You should become Catholic, we have been preaching the faith / good works routine for centuries! :)
Faith and good works are both one in the same...both will be exhibited in each other if practiced by a believer.
By
John Burzynski, at 5/17/2005 09:38:00 AM
John,
I grew up Catholic!
I was unable to access the comments at the time, but I really liked the post you made about the mischaracterizations of the Catholic church by boneheaded Protestants. I thought the way you described the issues were perfect.
It just so happens that those reasons were why I left the Catholic Church. Not in an angry way, just a "I think it can be done better" way. I consider Catholics to be as Christian as any other denomination - in many cases, more so.
By
Hammertime, at 5/17/2005 10:38:00 AM
Since you're using the profession of firefighter to make a good point, I invite everyone to pray the following prayer for all firefghters. Just substitute the first person nouns/pronouns for third person as appropriate.
The Firefighters Prayer
When I am called to duty Lord
wherever flames may rage
give me strength to save a life
whatever be it's age
Help me to embrace a little child
before it is too late
or save an older person from the horror of that fate
Enable me to be alert
to hear the weakest shout
and quickly and efficiently
to put the fire out
I want to fill my calling and
to give the best in me
to guard my every neighbor
and protect his property
And if according to your will
I am to lose my life
bless with your protecting hand
my children and my wife.
By
Pyrosapien, at 8/25/2006 03:29:00 AM
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