Some who are contrary to the concept of pattern seeking and pattern keeping have suggested that adherence to a pattern implies the kingdom is a meritocracy. This argument is immediately invalidated by the mere fact that “Patternists” do not subscribe to the aforementioned implication. It holds about as much water as the atheists’ appeal to the linear digression concerning the origin of God. Creationists do not believe God has a beginning, thus created, and “Patternists” do not believe the kingdom is a meritocracy. Obedience does not equal merit.

The first beatitude states, “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 5:3). Those who comprise the Lord’s body recognize their self-insufficiency. They are spiritually “poor” without Christ, thus turn to Him to become rich (cf. Revelation 2:9). Conversion to Christianity occurs on the very premise that we cannot merit anything concerning the salvation of our souls. This is what the “Patternists” believe.

The “Patternists” also believe in the congruity of scripture, thus the seamlessness in the writings of Paul and James. “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9). And still, “faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. But someone will say, ‘You have faith, and I have works.’ Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works” (James 2:17-18). It is not by the perfect keeping of the Mosaic Law that man is saved, but by the grace of God through a working faith (cf. Romans 4). Man is to work out his own salvation (cf. Philippians 2:12), knowing that “it is God who works in [him] both to will and to do for His good pleasure” (Philippians 2:13). Obedience does not imply a meritocracy.

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