Research: Majority of Americans Believe Works Are the Key to Salvation

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Inquisitor

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Mar 17, 2022
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The Author of Salvation taught it in (John 14:21&24).
21 Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. The one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love them and show myself to them.” Jesus replied, “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. 24 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.

Notice the Lords says, those God the Father loves, are those who keep his commands. Does God the Father love those who don't do what Jesus says? Can we have Grace without the Love of God?
If you answered No....Grace is merited.
We need to be precise in how we understand the revelation of the Christ.
Which doctrine of salvation is correct?

1) Saved by the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and that is not from ourselves, faith first and works are secondary?

2) Saved by the merited grace of our Lord Jesus Christ because what you do matters. simply faith plus works?

John 3:18
The one who believes in Him is not judged; the one who does not believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.
 

Inquisitor

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I will try and explain 'good works' as simply as possible. Jesus commands us to love God with our whole heart and soul and our neighbor as ourselves. In order to show our love for God, we obey His commandments (Jesus asked, How can you say you love me if you don't obey my commandments.

Jesus also tells us, in the Judgement of Nations that we show our love for Jesus, who is God, through love of neighbor. And, love of neighbor needs works/acts, love of neighbor isn't just a warm fuzzy feeling.....ie, visiting the sick and the prisoners, feeding and clothing those in need. We show our love of neighbor with good works when the neighbor is in need, could be many things.....an act of compassion, helping them when in need, forgiving them the wrongs they do to us, be kind to them, pray for them.....There are so many ways you can show your love of neighbor through good works. Jesus showed us the way, he ministered to the poor, the downtrodden, and the sick. Jesus' apostles showed their love of God and neighbor by giving up all they had to spread the Gospel to their neighbors.

As we go through our own lives, we will be afforded many opportunities to help others in need. Help them with good works when you can, Jesus expects that from us and He made that clear.

And I reiterate, good works in and of themselves will not gain us salvation apart from Jesus. But Jesus is surely looking for good works from us and, in the Judgement of Nations, He tells us we will be judged as to how we showed love of God, Jesus, through love of neighbor.
You seem to be proposing that Christians obey the law of Moses.

Here is what you stated.

"Jesus commands us to love God with our whole heart and soul and our neighbor as ourselves"

That is a direct quotation from the law of Moses.

I thought John said that that we are to love others as Christ loved us (unconditional love), not as we love ourselves?

That quotation of yours sure looks like a conditional love, based entirely on the love of yourself?
 

GRACE_ambassador

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Feb 22, 2021
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Which commandments?

There are a few sets of commandments listed in the scripture.

The commandment given to Abraham.

The commandments given to Noah.

The commandments given to Moses.

The commandments given through the prophets.

The extended commandments from the law that Jesus gave.

The commandments Paul gave.

The two commandments John gave.

This is not an easy question to answer.
Great question; I only follow the one God Teaches us, Under GRACE,
Today, our ONE “apostle To the Gentiles, our Pattern to follow!”
(Romans 11:13; 1 Timothy 1:16) ie:

1Co_11:1 "Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ."
+
Eph_5:1 "Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children;"

In The Simplicity Of Christ, we are taught in a couple of Paul's letters:

Fulfill All Of His Law, In "ONE Word: LOVE thy neighbor
as thyself!" (Galatians 5:14; Romans 13:8-10)

I did mention The Simplicity Of Christ, didn't I?

Please Be Very RICHLY Encouraged, Enlightened, Exhorted, And Edified In
The LORD JESUS CHRIST, And In His Word Of Truth, Rightly Divided! ◄◄◄
- - - - - - - - - - - -- - - - - -- - - -↓ ↑ ↓ ↑ ↓ ↑ ↓ ↑ ↓ ↑ ↓ ↑ ↓ ↑ ↓ ↑ ↓ ↑ ↓ ↑ ↓ ↑ ↓ ↑
I sincerely believe THIS is what Most are overlooking Today, Under GRACE!

GRACE And Peace...
 

Pilgrimshope

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Sep 2, 2020
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My brother, I sincerely apologize. I meant my post to be directed at someone who’s constantly pushing works salvation and somehow I ended up mistakenly directing it at you. Believe me when I tell you, your faith in Christ and His saving grace is inspirational and a breath of fresh air around here. Please accept my apologies, and keep fighting the good fight.
well then let me apologize even more because I said more words in response tonthe mistake I sincerely apologize to you and others sometimes our passion to respond outweighs our restraint and it hinders our peace

It’s behind us, and truthfully I gather Inspiration and strength from many here I think that’s the lords design that we need one another to be strong

apologies sincerely I’m gonna take a break for awhile my own frustration really messes with my spirit and causes me to speak too quickly

God bless you
 
Jan 31, 2021
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Here are some of the shocking (to me) findings in the poll (2020) cited below...

"A majority of Americans, a new survey finds, no longer believe that Jesus Christ is the way to eternal salvation. Faith (generally) and good works, they say, will do the trick "

"Equally as startling, it was found that a majority of people who describe themselves as Christian (52%) believe that a person can gain eternal salvation by “being or doing good.” That includes close to half of all adults associated with Pentecostal (46%), mainline Protestant (44%), and evangelical (41%) churches. As expected, a much larger share of Catholics (70%) embrace that point of view."

more at: https://outreachmagazine.com/resour...s-believe-works-are-the-key-to-salvation.html

No wonder this country is in the mess it's in.
So true. But no wonder.

1 John 5:19 - We know that we are children of God, and that the whole world is under the control of the evil one.

Rev 12:9 - The great dragon was hurled down—that ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan, who leads the whole world astray. He was hurled to the earth, and his angels with him.

He has been very successful.
 

Inquisitor

Well-known member
Mar 17, 2022
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Great question; I only follow the one God Teaches us, Under GRACE,
Today, our ONE “apostle To the Gentiles, our Pattern to follow!”
(Romans 11:13; 1 Timothy 1:16) ie:

1Co_11:1 "Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ."
+
Eph_5:1 "Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children;"

In The Simplicity Of Christ, we are taught in a couple of Paul's letters:

Fulfill All Of His Law, In "ONE Word: LOVE thy neighbor
as thyself!" (Galatians 5:14; Romans 13:8-10)

I did mention The Simplicity Of Christ, didn't I?

Please Be Very RICHLY Encouraged, Enlightened, Exhorted, And Edified In
The LORD JESUS CHRIST, And In His Word Of Truth, Rightly Divided! ◄◄◄
- - - - - - - - - - - -- - - - - -- - - -↓ ↑ ↓ ↑ ↓ ↑ ↓ ↑ ↓ ↑ ↓ ↑ ↓ ↑ ↓ ↑ ↓ ↑ ↓ ↑ ↓ ↑ ↓ ↑
I sincerely believe THIS is what Most are overlooking Today, Under GRACE!

GRACE And Peace...
Thankyou for that powerful post of yours.

That gospel of grace is a very simple affair indeed.

Love Christ and love the brethren with a fervent love!

1 John 3:23-24
This is His commandment, that we believe in the name of His Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, just as He commanded us. The one who keeps His commandments abides in Him, and He in him. We know by this that He abides in us, by the Spirit whom He has given us.
I sincerely believe THIS is what Most are overlooking Today, Under GRACE!
Probably the most powerful single word in the New Testament, GRACE. Without that single word, grace, we will not accept that free gift of salvation fully.

Well done.

One small correction though, Christ's love for us was unconditional. Hence, our love for others must be an unconditional love. Not so much; our love for others as we love ourselves (the law).
 

arthurfleminger

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Aug 18, 2021
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You seem to be proposing that Christians obey the law of Moses.

Here is what you stated.

"Jesus commands us to love God with our whole heart and soul and our neighbor as ourselves"

That is a direct quotation from the law of Moses.

I thought John said that that we are to love others as Christ loved us (unconditional love), not as we love ourselves?

That quotation of yours sure looks like a conditional love, based entirely on the love of yourself?
The quotation isn't from me, it's from Jesus and it is in the New Testament.
The Parable of the Good Samaritan
…26“What is written in the Law?” Jesus replied. “How do you read it?” 27 He answered, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’ and ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” 28“You have answered correctly,” Jesus said. “Do this and you will live.”…

Don't confuse Jesus' quote as mine.
 

arthurfleminger

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The quotation isn't from me, it's from Jesus and it is in the New Testament.
The Parable of the Good Samaritan
…26“What is written in the Law?” Jesus replied. “How do you read it?” 27 He answered, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’ and ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” 28“You have answered correctly,” Jesus said. “Do this and you will live.”…

Don't confuse Jesus' quote as mine.
You can find the Parable of the Good Samaritan in the Gospel of Luke, Cha 10.
 

Inquisitor

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The quotation isn't from me, it's from Jesus and it is in the New Testament.
The Parable of the Good Samaritan
…26“What is written in the Law?” Jesus replied. “How do you read it?” 27 He answered, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’ and ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” 28“You have answered correctly,” Jesus said. “Do this and you will live.”…

Don't confuse Jesus' quote as mine.
Jesus was quoting from the law and speaking to those under the law.

Gentiles according to Acts 15, were never under the law and did not need to obey the law.

If you quote what Jesus said to the Jews, you may confuse folk.

We (the Gentiles) were given at least two commandments by Jesus, as John records below.

1 John 3:23-24
This is His commandment, that we believe in the name of His Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, just as He commanded us. The one who keeps His commandments abides in Him, and He in him. We know by this that He abides in us, by the Spirit whom He has given us.
 

Snacks

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Feb 10, 2022
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well then let me apologize even more because I said more words in response tonthe mistake I sincerely apologize to you and others sometimes our passion to respond outweighs our restraint and it hinders our peace

It’s behind us, and truthfully I gather Inspiration and strength from many here I think that’s the lords design that we need one another to be strong

apologies sincerely I’m gonna take a break for awhile my own frustration really messes with my spirit and causes me to speak too quickly

God bless you
It’s all good brother. There was no need for you to apologize but the fact that you have proves all the more your Christlike integrity is to be admired. It is through trials and tribulations that we grow stronger, and our bond has just been strengthened. God bless you always and peace be with you always.
 

Pilgrimshope

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It’s all good brother. There was no need for you to apologize but the fact that you have proves all the more your Christlike integrity is to be admired. It is through trials and tribulations that we grow stronger, and our bond has just been strengthened. God bless you always and peace be with you always.
love you brother thanks for the kind spirit and for sharing in the grace of forgiveness
 

Ted01

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May 14, 2022
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Of course I am joking.

Some folk who follow a theology of works have problems with what Paul wrote. So when you post, 'Saved by grace through faith', they react with verses from Matthew or James. Many church movements have faith and works locked together, it is their church doctrine.

The surprising thing is that the apostle John also declares the same doctrine as Paul does.

Here are some verses from John which echo Paul's declaration of the gospel.

John 3:15
So that everyone who believes will have eternal life in Him.

John 3:16
For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish, but have eternal life.

John 3:18
The one who believes in Him is not judged; the one who does not believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.

John 3:36
The one who believes in the Son has eternal life; but the one who does not obey the Son will not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him.”

There are many more verses from John but space is limited.

Just wanted to add one verse from John's Gospel to your list, (hopefully not assuming too much?):

John 6:29
Jesus answered them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent.”

Personally, I think that a "heart-felt belief" in our Lord Jesus will have us cooperate with the Holy Spirit into other good works... but that 1 work is sufficient to Salvation.
 

Ted01

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Congratulations @Ted01 , you're the first person to give me a 'zzz' as a 'like. lol
(I have dealt out a few myself)

Sorry... they don't seem to have a "This is a confusing & ambiguous Post - but I'm pretty sure that I disagree with it" Emoticon. LOL
Stay in Christ, beloved.
 

Inquisitor

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Just wanted to add one verse from John's Gospel to your list, (hopefully not assuming too much?):

John 6:29
Jesus answered them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent.”

Personally, I think that a "heart-felt belief" in our Lord Jesus will have us cooperate with the Holy Spirit into other good works... but that 1 work is sufficient to Salvation.
An excellent verse and that verse (John 6:29) is most definitely the primary work we perform.
 

crossnote

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Sorry... they don't seem to have a "This is a confusing & ambiguous Post - but I'm pretty sure that I disagree with it" Emoticon. LOL
Stay in Christ, beloved.
Ok, let me see if I can explain my statement (although you may disagree with the reason).
In my conversation I was making the case That the serpent's promise 'you shall be as gods' was also a lie. Magenta had made the case that 'you shall not die' was the lie.
That was around the time I said, "In my book, even a half truth is a lie."
So even if it was a half truth for the serpent to say, 'you shall be as gods', in my book, i.e. 'in my understanding', even the half truth of the serpent...was a lie.
 
Oct 6, 2021
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exactly everything changed for mankind the moment they transgressed and did exactly what God told them would cause thier demise.

man was a unique part of creation like the crown of crearion we were the only of all his creatures who were made in his image and likeness ( his children )

“for in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring. Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man's device.”
‭‭Acts‬ ‭17:28-29‬ ‭KJV‬‬

No other creature is made to be in his image and likeness , so we are set apart in that we alone we’re given possession and dominion on earth, over all the other creatures man who was made in the creators image his children , was given the dominion.

when They are the fruit that dominion corrupted the earth and everything in it and lead us here

“And GOD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. And it repented the LORD that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart. And the LORD said, I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth; both man, and beast, and the creeping thing, and the fowls of the air; for it repenteth me that I have made them.”
‭‭Genesis‬ ‭6:5-7‬ ‭KJV‬‬

we ruined creation by following satans word and eating the fruit of the knowledge not meant to be in us and having no discernment between what’s good and evil we weren’t made to handle that knowledge so it led us there

mankind is the apple of Gods eye it seems his beloved offspring and the center of all his plans it seems ultimately Gods Will is to create a perfect world for his beloved children to live together with him forever

what a glorious God and how wonderful is he really ? It’s from one end of the universe , through every galaxy bouncing off of every star tonthe furthest reaches of the other side of The universe his wonders and goodness is beyond our ability to comprehend just like the universe

as the psalmist inquired “ what is man that he is mindful of us ? Why did he set us ive all his works and why oh why does the lord God Love us so ? What have we done or what are we that he would suffer such indignation and punishment for us after all we have done to choose death and sin and turn away from him as a species

man is so little but he is so big , we must be of great value to him though I do not understand why but for his incredoe goodness and love
Excellent points brother!
 
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amen it’s not just Paul

“Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.

For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.”
‭‭Ecclesiastes‬ ‭12:13-14‬ ‭KJV‬‬

The New Testament reveals how we’re going to be judged and by whos word

“Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, and shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life;

and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.”
‭‭John‬ ‭5:28-29‬ ‭KJV‬‬

“He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day.

For I have not spoken of myself; but the Father which sent me, he gave me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak. And I know that his commandment is life everlasting: whatsoever I speak therefore, even as the Father said unto me, so I speak.”
‭‭John‬ ‭12:48-50‬ ‭

“But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God; Who will render to every man according to his deeds:

to them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life:

but unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath, tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile;

but glory, honour, and peace, to every man that worketh good, to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile: for there is no respect of persons with God.”
‭‭Romans‬ ‭2:5-11‬ ‭KJV‬‬

“For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad. Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are made manifest unto God; and I trust also are made manifest in your consciences.”
‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭5:10-11‬ ‭KJV‬‬


“For to this end Christ both died, and rose, and revived, that he might be Lord both of the dead and living. But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, And every tongue shall confess to God. So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.”
‭‭Romans‬ ‭14:9-12‬ ‭KJV‬‬

“Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.”
‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭6:9-10‬ ‭KJV‬‬

“Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.”
‭‭Galatians‬ ‭5:19-21‬ ‭KJV‬‬

“For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?”
‭‭1 Peter‬ ‭4:17‬ ‭KJV‬‬

when we receive the gospel we’re looking at our eternal Judgement given To us who accept and believe his word , now beforehand so we can repent and come to the truth and repent

but the problem is the grave lie that teaches people to reject the truth of scripture like this that’s strewn throughout every page of the Bible

this new age grace has become the devils doctrine that deceived minds and hearts and creates barriers against hearing the truth

once you are convinced “ I’m saved by grace what I do doesn’t make any difference “ you’ve been convinced of a lie once we accept the truth this happens

“in meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; and that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.”
‭‭2 Timothy‬ ‭2:25-26‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Satan loves the idea in our head that whether we do good or evil in life we think it’s irrelevant because of the word grace. Because then we’ll never repent and be set free of his slavery over mankind but this new grace doctrine is a solid brick wall in many so scripture like the above repetitive and true new and old testsment becomes irrelevant

just like in Eden “ the fruit is poison don’t eat it said God

“ no it’s not it’s good for you will
Make you wise “ said the devil

he convinced them What God said isnt actually true just like saying grace allows one to reject his word and accept the opposite “ my works don’t matter either way “ v “ we all Must appear before his jidgement throne to receive what we’ve done good or bad “

one is true and one is a lie if we believe the truth we will take repentance and obedience seriously if we believe the lie we’re going to always follow
Our own desires and will believing it’s irrelevant what we do
Yup...overwhelming evidence!!
 
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Yes I believe that because though we are new creations in Christ, we are still merely human beings with all our faults, defects and deficiencies.
Then you agree, those who sin do so because they are slaves of sin?
If so...That's really great brother!!
Because there are not too many folks who believe that, and there is a very good reason why.
Now...the difficult part.
According to (John 8:34-35) do yo believe those who sin, AKA a slave of sin, has Eternal Life?
Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, everyone who sins is a slave to sin. Now a slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it forever.