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

  • Christian Chat is a moderated online Christian community allowing Christians around the world to fellowship with each other in real time chat via webcam, voice, and text, with the Christian Chat app. You can also start or participate in a Bible-based discussion here in the Christian Chat Forums, where members can also share with each other their own videos, pictures, or favorite Christian music.

    If you are a Christian and need encouragement and fellowship, we're here for you! If you are not a Christian but interested in knowing more about Jesus our Lord, you're also welcome! Want to know what the Bible says, and how you can apply it to your life? Join us!

    To make new Christian friends now around the world, click here to join Christian Chat.

Jackson123

Senior Member
Feb 6, 2014
11,769
1,371
113
Of course not.


You are definitely not making any sense.


Trust in God's promise to save those who believe in Christ for salvation. 1 Cor 1:21
And Jesus say He will save sheep because they help the poor
 

Jackson123

Senior Member
Feb 6, 2014
11,769
1,371
113
Of course not.


You are definitely not making any sense.


Trust in God's promise to save those who believe in Christ for salvation. 1 Cor 1:21
Non sense.

did you think these verse non sense to you because save by faith

34Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:
35 For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in:
36 Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.

look Fanny save by wor helping the poor Jesus teach non sense
 

posthuman

Senior Member
Jul 31, 2013
37,975
13,627
113
Post...
Words...nothing but words.
Yours can not change my mind, and mine can not change yours.
Jesus called Wise, those who do what he tells them to do.
Do you know why they are called," Wise?"

Because that is the only way you will know the Truth.
For example....
If I tell you, put Cayenne Pepper paste...on a sprained ankle, and within an hour you will be walking without pain. How will you know if what I say is the truth, unless you do what I say?
Sounds foolish, according to what you know. But how will you know if it's foolishness?
And if you do what I say...and it actually works...You will not only become wiser, but you are more likely to listen to what I say about other things. Planting a seed of faith.


Same thing applies to the Gospel of Jesus Christ...which we must do in order to learn the Truth.

again,
why are you insinuating i do not do what He tells me to do?
why the accusations?
is that what you suppose is His commandment, to accuse your brothers of wickedness without cause?


why is it that if anyone glorifies Him, saying that it is by His mercy i am saved, not by my own will or effort or desire - that it can only be by His mercy -- they are immediately accused of being wicked?
 

Jackson123

Senior Member
Feb 6, 2014
11,769
1,371
113
I remember my old pastor, he was in the air force he move to Chicago about 15 years ago, he meet me in my Donald and say, he believe God soon judge America, I ask why, he say moral standard in America was going down compare 60 years ago when he young

judgement base of work or moral not by faith

i think he believe there is correlation between faith and moral standard
the more faith you have the more your moral like Jesus
 
Jan 31, 2021
8,658
1,064
113
And Jesus say He will save sheep because they help the poor
No, Jesus NEVER said that. Where do you get your ideas from,since they don't come from the Bible?

Jesus said whoever believes POSSESSES eternal life in John 5:24. That's rather clear, right?
Jesus said recipients of eternal life (Jn 5:24) shall never perish in John 10:28. That's also rather clear, right?

Jesus NEVER said salvation is by works, as you fantasize.
 
Jan 31, 2021
8,658
1,064
113
34Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:
35 For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in:
36 Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.
I've already told you to READ the whole text, which ENDS at v.46.

Yes, the text mentions sheep and goats. Clearly referring to human beings, the saved and the unsaved.

This is PROVEN in the LAST verse, v46 - Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.”

You mistakenly think this means that those who helped the poor are righteous (because of what they did for others).

However, that kind of thinking is antithetical to the Bible.

The words "the righteous" is technical for saved people; saved by grace through faith, not of works. Eph 2:8,9

Read all of Romans 3-4. There, you will find that God CREDITS or IMPUTES the righteousness of Christ to those who believe in Him.

So, v.46 clarifies the whole text about sheep and goats. The sheep are saved by grace through faith, and the goats are the unsaved, because they NEVER believed in Him.

But you are free to make your own bed and believe whatever you want. But there are consequences for not believing what Jesus said about eternal security.

look Fanny save by wor helping the poor Jesus teach non sense
I am unable to decipher this sentence. Could you re-phrase more clearly, please?
 
Jan 31, 2021
8,658
1,064
113
I remember my old pastor, he was in the air force he move to Chicago about 15 years ago, he meet me in my Donald and say, he believe God soon judge America, I ask why, he say moral standard in America was going down compare 60 years ago when he young

judgement base of work or moral not by faith

i think he believe there is correlation between faith and moral standard
the more faith you have the more your moral like Jesus
Your former pastor shows great biblical discernment. You should believe what he taught. God will soon judge, not only the USA but the whole world. It is called the Great Tribulation. And, yes, it is for the evil that has come.

You should also believe his teaching on eternal security, since that is solidly biblical. As I've been showing you all the time.
 

Jackson123

Senior Member
Feb 6, 2014
11,769
1,371
113
I've already told you to READ the whole text, which ENDS at v.46.

Yes, the text mentions sheep and goats. Clearly referring to human beings, the saved and the unsaved.

This is PROVEN in the LAST verse, v46 - Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.”

You mistakenly think this means that those who helped the poor are righteous (because of what they did for others).

However, that kind of thinking is antithetical to the Bible.

The words "the righteous" is technical for saved people; saved by grace through faith, not of works. Eph 2:8,9

Read all of Romans 3-4. There, you will find that God CREDITS or IMPUTES the righteousness of Christ to those who believe in Him.

So, v.46 clarifies the whole text about sheep and goats. The sheep are saved by grace through faith, and the goats are the unsaved, because they NEVER believed in Him.

But you are free to make your own bed and believe whatever you want. But there are consequences for not believing what Jesus said about eternal security.


I am unable to decipher this sentence. Could you re-phrase more clearly, please?
You are free to believe what ever you want but jesus state the righteous or the believer is the one that transfer his faith into action by helping the poor
you may think there is no correlation between faith and good fruit than up to you but for me I believe matt 25 indicate Jesus teach there is correlation between real faith and loving work
 

Jackson123

Senior Member
Feb 6, 2014
11,769
1,371
113
Your former pastor shows great biblical discernment. You should believe what he taught. God will soon judge, not only the USA but the whole world. It is called the Great Tribulation. And, yes, it is for the evil that has come.

You should also believe his teaching on eternal security, since that is solidly biblical. As I've been showing you all the time.
it mean you do believe there are correlation between judgement and evil
 

Jackson123

Senior Member
Feb 6, 2014
11,769
1,371
113
Your former pastor shows great biblical discernment. You should believe what he taught. God will soon judge, not only the USA but the whole world. It is called the Great Tribulation. And, yes, it is for the evil that has come.

You should also believe his teaching on eternal security, since that is solidly biblical. As I've been showing you all the time.
I remember one thing about this pastor

one day I visit his house
i meet 2 migrant worker there
I ask who see those

he said those are migrant worker from Mexico they are member of babti
s church there
how you know them
they are come to church this morning to joint


the service and because new comer I ask who are they
than to verified pastor ask they pastor phone in Mexico and call him
i think this pastor remember Matt 25 and took them let them stay and feed them till they have a job

When I am stranger you take me in
they are stranger because
1 come from Mexico
2 pastor is white they are Mexican

i ask pastor do you think take illegal home not sin because violate us law?
He answer
I chose obey God law to helping poor than obey us law

when us law against Gods law I chose God will

He seem believe there is correlation between faith and good work
 

Jackson123

Senior Member
Feb 6, 2014
11,769
1,371
113
No, Jesus NEVER said that. Where do you get your ideas from,since they don't come from the Bible?

Jesus said whoever believes POSSESSES eternal life in John 5:24. That's rather clear, right?
Jesus said recipients of eternal life (Jn 5:24) shall never perish in John 10:28. That's also rather clear, right?

Jesus NEVER said salvation is by works, as you fantasize.
I think you are a liar
jesus say in Matt 25 sheep welcome by Jesus because when Jesus hungry they feed Jesus etc and you say Jesus say say that

are you accused Mathew liar wrote something that Jesus never say?
 
Oct 6, 2021
496
83
28
Post...a parallel to help you understand my position.

I have a friend, whose an Alcoholic.
My friend didn't know she was an Alcoholic, until she tried to quit drinking alcohol.
She wants to quit drinking alcohol, but she can not do, what she wants to do.
Do you know, Why?
It's because she is a slave of alcohol.
That's basically what an alcoholic is,....a slave to alcohol.
Do you think any less of my friend, whose an alcoholic?
No...because I know she is a slave of Alcohol, and she can not do, what she wants to do.
And in order for her to be released from this addiction, the addiction must die.
How will she know when this has happens?
When she can no longer be tempted by alcohol.

I also have a friend, whose was a sinner.
My friend didn't know he was a sinner, until he tried to quit sinning,....to Repent of sin.
(Romans 7:7).... Nay, I would not have known sin, but through the law;
My friend wanted to stop sinning, but he found out, he could not stop.
(Romans 7:19)...For the good that I would do, I do not; but the evil which I would not do, that I do.
Do you know, what he discovered?
(Romans 7:20)....Now if I do that which I do not want to do, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.I find then a law that, when I would do good, evil is present with me.

He was a slave, just like my friend who is an alcoholic. Only he....was a slave of sin.
That's basically what a sinner is, a slave of sin.
Do you think, I thought any less of my friend?
No...Because I know it's sin living in him, which causes him to sin.
In order for him to be released from the Law, he must die to sin.
How will he know he has died to sin?
(1 John 3:9-10)
Whosoever is born of God does not commit sin; for His seed remaineth in him, and he cannot sin, because he is born of God. By this the children of God are manifest....

My friend beat his addiction and so can you. You can read about my friend, the sinner...in (Romans 7).
 
Mar 4, 2020
8,614
3,691
113
Post...a parallel to help you understand my position.

I have a friend, whose an Alcoholic.
My friend didn't know she was an Alcoholic, until she tried to quit drinking alcohol.
She wants to quit drinking alcohol, but she can not do, what she wants to do.
Do you know, Why?
It's because she is a slave of alcohol.
That's basically what an alcoholic is,....a slave to alcohol.
Do you think any less of my friend, whose an alcoholic?
No...because I know she is a slave of Alcohol, and she can not do, what she wants to do.
And in order for her to be released from this addiction, the addiction must die.
How will she know when this has happens?
When she can no longer be tempted by alcohol.

I also have a friend, whose was a sinner.
My friend didn't know he was a sinner, until he tried to quit sinning,....to Repent of sin.
(Romans 7:7).... Nay, I would not have known sin, but through the law;
My friend wanted to stop sinning, but he found out, he could not stop.
(Romans 7:19)...For the good that I would do, I do not; but the evil which I would not do, that I do.
Do you know, what he discovered?
(Romans 7:20)....Now if I do that which I do not want to do, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.I find then a law that, when I would do good, evil is present with me.

He was a slave, just like my friend who is an alcoholic. Only he....was a slave of sin.
That's basically what a sinner is, a slave of sin.
Do you think, I thought any less of my friend?
No...Because I know it's sin living in him, which causes him to sin.
In order for him to be released from the Law, he must die to sin.
How will he know he has died to sin?
(1 John 3:9-10)
Whosoever is born of God does not commit sin; for His seed remaineth in him, and he cannot sin, because he is born of God. By this the children of God are manifest....

My friend beat his addiction and so can you. You can read about my friend, the sinner...in (Romans 7).
I really like that story.

Question on Romans 7. Was that Paul confessing to being an out-of-control sinner from your perspective?
 

Jackson123

Senior Member
Feb 6, 2014
11,769
1,371
113
Post...a parallel to help you understand my position.

I have a friend, whose an Alcoholic.
My friend didn't know she was an Alcoholic, until she tried to quit drinking alcohol.
She wants to quit drinking alcohol, but she can not do, what she wants to do.
Do you know, Why?
It's because she is a slave of alcohol.
That's basically what an alcoholic is,....a slave to alcohol.
Do you think any less of my friend, whose an alcoholic?
No...because I know she is a slave of Alcohol, and she can not do, what she wants to do.
And in order for her to be released from this addiction, the addiction must die.
How will she know when this has happens?
When she can no longer be tempted by alcohol.

I also have a friend, whose was a sinner.
My friend didn't know he was a sinner, until he tried to quit sinning,....to Repent of sin.
(Romans 7:7).... Nay, I would not have known sin, but through the law;
My friend wanted to stop sinning, but he found out, he could not stop.
(Romans 7:19)...For the good that I would do, I do not; but the evil which I would not do, that I do.
Do you know, what he discovered?
(Romans 7:20)....Now if I do that which I do not want to do, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.I find then a law that, when I would do good, evil is present with me.

He was a slave, just like my friend who is an alcoholic. Only he....was a slave of sin.
That's basically what a sinner is, a slave of sin.
Do you think, I thought any less of my friend?
No...Because I know it's sin living in him, which causes him to sin.
In order for him to be released from the Law, he must die to sin.
How will he know he has died to sin?
(1 John 3:9-10)
Whosoever is born of God does not commit sin; for His seed remaineth in him, and he cannot sin, because he is born of God. By this the children of God are manifest....

My friend beat his addiction and so can you. You can read about my friend, the sinner...in (Romans 7).
In about the year 1989 I have a friend, I know him a couple months than he tell his story, he was make good money in Texas as realtor for some time
than he start use drug he know it was bad and want to quite but he can’t till He accept the Lord
i use to life in getto most people addicted to drug they go to treatment program, I never hear it succeed
we need help from Jesus to free us from our sin addiction
 
Jan 31, 2021
8,658
1,064
113
FreeGrace2 said:
I've already told you to READ the whole text, which ENDS at v.46.

Yes, the text mentions sheep and goats. Clearly referring to human beings, the saved and the unsaved.

This is PROVEN in the LAST verse, v46 - Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.”
You are free to believe what ever you want
And I DO. I believe what the Bible says.

but jesus state the righteous or the believer is the one that transfer his faith into action by helping the poor
That is just your very poor misunderstanding of the entire text. Again, "the righteous" is a technical term for a believer.

you may think there is no correlation between faith and good fruit
I've never said that. Please don't try to put words in my mouth. There is a correlaton. But there is NO correlation between faith and good fruit for salvation.

than up to you but for me I believe matt 25 indicate Jesus teach there is correlation between real faith and loving work
You continue to misunderstand the truth. Have you ever asked for guidance from the Holy Spirit WHEN you are in fellowship?
 
Jan 31, 2021
8,658
1,064
113
it mean you do believe there are correlation between judgement and evil
Of course I do. Every human being will be judged by God.

Believers will be evaluated (judged) by Jesus Himself at the Bema (Judgment Seat of Christ) per 2 Cor 5:10 - For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.

Unbelievers will be judged on their works at the Great White Throne judgment per Rev 20:11-13
11 Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. The earth and the heavens fled from his presence, and there was no place for them.
12 And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the book of life. The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books.
13 The sea gave up the dead that were in it, and death and Hades gave up the dead that were in them, and each person was judged according to what they had done.

Then-
14 Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. The lake of fire is the second death.
15 Anyone whose name was not found written in the book of life was thrown into the lake of fire.

v.15 tells us the reason people will end up in the lake of fire. They didn't receive the free gift of eternal life.

Their works are the basis for how "tolerable" or "untolerable" it will be for them IN the lake of fire.
 
Jan 31, 2021
8,658
1,064
113
I remember one thing about this pastor

one day I visit his house
i meet 2 migrant worker there
I ask who see those

he said those are migrant worker from Mexico they are member of babti
s church there
how you know them
they are come to church this morning to joint


the service and because new comer I ask who are they
than to verified pastor ask they pastor phone in Mexico and call him
i think this pastor remember Matt 25 and took them let them stay and feed them till they have a job

When I am stranger you take me in
they are stranger because
1 come from Mexico
2 pastor is white they are Mexican

i ask pastor do you think take illegal home not sin because violate us law?
He answer
I chose obey God law to helping poor than obey us law

when us law against Gods law I chose God will

He seem believe there is correlation between faith and good work
Sure. So does James. His point is that the ONLY WAY to demonstrate your faith to others is by your deeds.

And your former pastor demonstrated his faith to others, as you observed.

iow, he was living out his faith, which ALL believers are to do.

However, did this pastor think he was working for salvation? yes or no.
 
Oct 6, 2021
496
83
28
I really like that story.

Question on Romans 7. Was that Paul confessing to being an out-of-control sinner from your perspective?
No, I don't and I will explain.
Like my friend the Alcoholic, Paul didn't become aware of his condition until he tried to repent. He knew he was a sinner, but he only became aware that he was a slave of sin, after he tried to repent.
This is what he is trying to convey to the believer in (Romans 7).

Every believer has this experience, and this was his way of letting folks know, what they are going through when they try to repent. When we repent and confess our sin, very quickly we become aware we are slaves of sin.
If we weren't slaves of sin, why would a believer sin, when Sin is against the Will of God?
Now...if someone doesn't regularly confess their sins, they could very easily become an "out of control" sinner.
Why?
Because Unconfessed sin is Unforgiven sin, and Unforgiven sin separates us from God. If we are separated from God, we are separated from the light of God. We need Gods light to see the darkness. We need to see in the darkness, so we can see the sin in our lives, sin we can not see when we walk in the darkness.

This is why, when you haven't confessed sin in a while, you have been walking in the darkness for A while.
All one needs do, is to Confess their sins before God. And when they do this, sin becomes utterly sinful.
Because now you are made aware of what God sees, and his light has made you acutely aware of sin.
Stay in the light, and let the Holy Spirit guide you through your conscience.
 
Jan 31, 2021
8,658
1,064
113
FreeGrace2 said:
No, Jesus NEVER said that. Where do you get your ideas from,since they don't come from the Bible?

Jesus said whoever believes POSSESSES eternal life in John 5:24. That's rather clear, right?
Jesus said recipients of eternal life (Jn 5:24) shall never perish in John 10:28. That's also rather clear, right?

Jesus NEVER said salvation is by works, as you fantasize.
I think you are a liar
I don't care what you think. Your opinions are very unbiblical and offensive to me. As I've shown you over and over.

jesus say in Matt 25 sheep welcome by Jesus because when Jesus hungry they feed Jesus etc and you say Jesus say say that

are you accused Mathew liar wrote something that Jesus never say?
Your question is so mumbled up that I can't figure out your point? Can you please re-phrase so as to be understandable?

The "sheep" in Matt 25 are "the righteous" of v.46. That proves that the "sheep" are believers.

Maybe you don't undersand that God credits/imputes the righteousness of Christ to EVERY believer.

We are NOT "the righteous" based on any work or deed that we do, which is what it seems YOU think.

Memorize Isa 64:6 - All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; (USED MENSTRUAL RAGS) we all shrivel up like a leaf, and like the wind our sins sweep us away.

That's what God thinks of human righteousness.

And you don't even understand the principle of fellowship with the Lord and being filled with the Spirit. Only under these conditions can a believer perform divine good. All else is merely human good, and very offensive to God.
 
Mar 4, 2020
8,614
3,691
113
No, I don't and I will explain.
Like my friend the Alcoholic, Paul didn't become aware of his condition until he tried to repent. He knew he was a sinner, but he only became aware that he was a slave of sin, after he tried to repent.
This is what he is trying to convey to the believer in (Romans 7).

Every believer has this experience, and this was his way of letting folks know, what they are going through when they try to repent. When we repent and confess our sin, very quickly we become aware we are slaves of sin.
If we weren't slaves of sin, why would a believer sin, when Sin is against the Will of God?
Now...if someone doesn't regularly confess their sins, they could very easily become an "out of control" sinner.
Why?
Because Unconfessed sin is Unforgiven sin, and Unforgiven sin separates us from God. If we are separated from God, we are separated from the light of God. We need Gods light to see the darkness. We need to see in the darkness, so we can see the sin in our lives, sin we can not see when we walk in the darkness.

This is why, when you haven't confessed sin in a while, you have been walking in the darkness for A while.
All one needs do, is to Confess their sins before God. And when they do this, sin becomes utterly sinful.
Because now you are made aware of what God sees, and his light has made you acutely aware of sin.
Stay in the light, and let the Holy Spirit guide you through your conscience.
From my perspective, what you said is plausible. The other possibility is that Paul was confessing to being a raging sinner.

After praying, I think it’s more likely that Paul wrote what he did in Romans 7 to make a point. I think what you said is probably the angle he was coming from.