Judas' kiss and salvation

Mario Jaccarini SJ (July 19) portrays salvation as a matter of hoping that "the good done will outweigh the bad".

His disclaimer that "we do not place our confidence in our good deeds" is not very reassuring. If his basic thesis is correct, we would better start confiding in our good works for it is their weight that supposedly tips the balance to eternal life!

Good works, like a kiss, could be the sign of opposite things. A kiss could signify pure and sincere love; it could also be an act of hypocrisy and treachery.

True Christians are characterised by the godliness and love that spring from a renewed heart and the presence of God's spirit in them. Their obedience to Christ is the natural way of expressing their gratitude to the one who died for them to secure their eternal redemption. These good works are their identification badge on the Day of Judgment.

Of all people, the disciples of Jesus shun sin and pursue righteousness for the glory of God. Yet they would not dream of relying on their own goodness for salvation.

"Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us." (Titus 3:5). They do not attempt to cover their guilt with a pile of religious deeds. Only the blood of Jesus cleanses from all sin; in Christ alone they entrust the salvation of their soul.

Paradoxically, good works could also reveal a lack of faith in Christ. For instance, the Catholic Church teaches that prayer and good works are forms of penance (defined as a vindicatory punishment and satisfaction for sins). The joyful privilege of communion with God in prayer is mutated by religion into a form of punishment! The system would not allow the penitent to enjoy God's full and gracious pardon. The penitent is hindered from trusting completely in Christ because he is compelled to make reparation for his sins by prayers and other personal works.

We ought to question our deepest motives. Are my works a Judas kiss, betraying the grace of Christ? Or a kiss of love and gratitude to my Saviour? As for myself, "I do not set aside the grace of God; for if righteousness comes through the law, then Christ died in vain" (Galatians 2:21).