The icing on the cake

I watch a lot of Food TV.

In one show, professional cake decorators compete by creating unique, often elaborate designs based on a particular theme. Most of the time they construct their towers out of edible components like cake and crisp rice and marshmallow treats, then cover them with frosting, fondant, or even chocolate and candies to incorporate the theme in their decoration. Sometimes, they are also allowed to use non-edible components, such as Styrofoam blocks or wooden rods, as long as they are still decorated and covered with edible material.

While I enjoy watching these programs, I hardly think of this as useful knowledge, and I certainly didn't expect it to come up last night in Bible study group. We are going through a series by Chuck Colson about the basics of the Christian faith, what they mean, and why that matter now as much as (or more than) ever.

Part of this week's session was a discussion on God's grace and the relationship of "works" to our faith. Two key scriptures are often quoted in reference to works: Ephesians 2:8-10, and James 2:14-18. While these passages are not at odds with one another, they can lead to some confusion. In our study, we were asked to consider the implications of having a life of faith that was void of good works, and whether or not it was possible to do good works without having a life of faith.

In many ways, the relationship between faith and works can be demonstrated in terms of cake decorating. Think first about a cake that is expertly baked, stacked high, and cut to form, but has no frosting on it. The structure is all there, but it is completely unattractive. It is crusty, porous, and after a short time it will begin to dry out. The cake may be delicious, but without any decoration there is nothing about it that draws us to it or makes us want to eat it. Think next of a piece of Styrofoam decorated with beautiful frosting to look like a cake. As good as it looks to everyone on the outside, it is inedible and tasteless. Once you get past the frosting, there is simply nothing there worth consuming. In order to have something truly worthwhile, you need both elements: a delicious cake covered in beautiful frosting.

Our faith in God is like the real cake, the kind you can sink your teeth into. Our works are like the frosting. Without works, our faith in God is not attractive to anyone else. Like a cake without frosting, there is little to draw people to it no matter how good it may be. At the same time, no amount of good works will turn us into a Christian, any more than decorating a Styrofoam block will turn it into a cake. It may fool a lot of people, but it is ultimately useless without faith at the core. It is only when good works are added on top of our genuine faith that people understand what they are seeing is real and come to find something that truly satisfies.