Research: Majority of Americans Believe Works Are the Key to Salvation
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Well, in James 2 which I cited, among others. If you see Gen 15:6 "Abram believed the LORD, and he credited it to him as righteousness.", Abraham became righteous by Grace through Faith at that time. Then, later in Gen 22:10 "10Then Abraham reached out his hand and took the knife to slaughter his son." So this was a Good Work done post Justification, several chapters later. And what does St. James say?
"21Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered Isaac his son on the altar? 22Do you see that faith was working together with his works, and by works faith was made perfect? 23And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.” And he was called the friend of God." (Jam 2:21-23, NKJV)
From this passage, we learn three things:
(1) Abraham, who was already justified by faith in Gen 15, was further justified, or received an increase in righteousness, in Gen 22, for his work of love of offering Isaac as a sacrifice to God.
(2) Faith works together with works and
(3) by works Faith is made Perfect.
Do you disagree with either of these (3)?
Regarding the Reward God's Goodness promises to us, for Good Works done with Faith, I cited many passages like Rev 22:12 earlier: "
“And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work." Rom 2:5-6 echoes this verse.
God Bless.
"21Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered Isaac his son on the altar? 22Do you see that faith was working together with his works, and by works faith was made perfect? 23And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.” And he was called the friend of God." (Jam 2:21-23, NKJV)
From this passage, we learn three things:
(1) Abraham, who was already justified by faith in Gen 15, was further justified, or received an increase in righteousness, in Gen 22, for his work of love of offering Isaac as a sacrifice to God.
(2) Faith works together with works and
(3) by works Faith is made Perfect.
Do you disagree with either of these (3)?
Regarding the Reward God's Goodness promises to us, for Good Works done with Faith, I cited many passages like Rev 22:12 earlier: "
“And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work." Rom 2:5-6 echoes this verse.
God Bless.
S
Salvation was once a simple topic for me.
1) Believe in Jesus
2) Confess that your a sinner
3) Ask for forgiveness
4) Ask Jesus to come in
After that things got hard. Because I'm still a sinner, and I believe in conditional security. That means if I commit certain sins enough times, Jesus will disown me. Which He may have already.
1) Believe in Jesus
2) Confess that your a sinner
3) Ask for forgiveness
4) Ask Jesus to come in
After that things got hard. Because I'm still a sinner, and I believe in conditional security. That means if I commit certain sins enough times, Jesus will disown me. Which He may have already.
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In many passages, the Lord Jesus/His Apostles in the Bible speaks of a Crown of Righteousness/Crown of Life as a Reward for Good Works done with Faith. That can include, but is not limited to, Charity, Martyrdom, Evangelism, Prayer, Fasting etc. At the end of his life, having persevered in the Faith, and ready for Martyrdom, St. Paul speaks of the "Crown of Righteousness" laid up for him in Heaven.
2 Tim 4:6 "For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. 7I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: 8Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing."
Jam 1:12 "Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love Him."
Rev 2:10 "Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life."
2 Tim 4:6 "For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. 7I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: 8Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing."
Jam 1:12 "Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love Him."
Rev 2:10 "Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life."
Hi Inquisitor. Glad we can agree on that much. By works faith is made perfect. So if you wish for a Perfect Faith, do Good Works!
A Reward in Heaven being promised by God's Mercy for those who labor for Him in faith and love is not the same as being "saved by works". We are not "saved by works". But a Heavenly Reward is promised for those who do Good Works with Faith in Christ.
"8 The one who plants and the one who waters have one purpose, and they will each be rewarded according to their own labor." (1 Cor 3:8).
"4 so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you." (Mat 6:4).
"Watch yourselves so you don’t lose what we have worked for, but that you may receive a full reward." (2 Jn 1:8).
A Reward in Heaven being promised by God's Mercy for those who labor for Him in faith and love is not the same as being "saved by works". We are not "saved by works". But a Heavenly Reward is promised for those who do Good Works with Faith in Christ.
"8 The one who plants and the one who waters have one purpose, and they will each be rewarded according to their own labor." (1 Cor 3:8).
"4 so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you." (Mat 6:4).
"Watch yourselves so you don’t lose what we have worked for, but that you may receive a full reward." (2 Jn 1:8).
Salvation is confusing, because everyone seems to be in one of three camps. Those who teach faith by Works...those who teach faith without works...And those who teach Grace.
When the focus should be,....the changing of the Heart. Thats what faith does, it changes the heart by Grace.
Has your heart been changed? (Rhetorical question)
The heart doesn't lie...you either Love God and your neighbor or you don't. We can fool one another, we can even fool ourselves into believing we are born of God. But if we look deep inside of ourselves, we will know the Truth. If we have been born of God our heart, has been changed.
I will give them an undivided heart and put a new spirit in them; I will remove from them their heart of stone and give them a heart of flesh. Then they will follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws. They will be my people, and I will be their God.
(Ezekiel 11:19-20)
When you are born of God, there is a distinct change, that change is a New Heart, a heart that can love everyone and hate no one. Now if you can be honest with yourself and say..I hate no one, and love even the most sinful of sinners...then you are saved.
Can you love a Child Molester, a Rapist, a Liar, a murderer, an Adulterer?
If not, you are not saved. The bible is very clear about this....in many places.
Those who have been born of God..see those who sin, as slaves of sin, just as Christ sees them.
Christ who loved us so much..he was willing to die for the slave.
And of His fullness have we all received, and grace for grace.
(John 1:16)
What does this mean?
Our love for Jesus is what brings us the Love of God the Father....But don't take my word for it!!
His teachings...., “Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them. Anyone who does not love me will not obey my teaching. These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me.
(John 14:23-24)
When the focus should be,....the changing of the Heart. Thats what faith does, it changes the heart by Grace.
Has your heart been changed? (Rhetorical question)
The heart doesn't lie...you either Love God and your neighbor or you don't. We can fool one another, we can even fool ourselves into believing we are born of God. But if we look deep inside of ourselves, we will know the Truth. If we have been born of God our heart, has been changed.
I will give them an undivided heart and put a new spirit in them; I will remove from them their heart of stone and give them a heart of flesh. Then they will follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws. They will be my people, and I will be their God.
(Ezekiel 11:19-20)
When you are born of God, there is a distinct change, that change is a New Heart, a heart that can love everyone and hate no one. Now if you can be honest with yourself and say..I hate no one, and love even the most sinful of sinners...then you are saved.
Can you love a Child Molester, a Rapist, a Liar, a murderer, an Adulterer?
If not, you are not saved. The bible is very clear about this....in many places.
Those who have been born of God..see those who sin, as slaves of sin, just as Christ sees them.
Christ who loved us so much..he was willing to die for the slave.
And of His fullness have we all received, and grace for grace.
(John 1:16)
What does this mean?
Our love for Jesus is what brings us the Love of God the Father....But don't take my word for it!!
His teachings...., “Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them. Anyone who does not love me will not obey my teaching. These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me.
(John 14:23-24)
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