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

That is well said, another way I have heard it said is that we each have a God shaped hole within us that only He can fill.

Yes. If you wonder how the Word became flesh, look no further than the DNA code.

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."

This salvation-can-be-earned perspective, Barna says, fits well with other widely held views identified in the American Worldview Inventory 2020 that are at odds with biblical teaching.
Those have included:


• There is no absolute moral truth (58%)
• Basis of truth are factors or sources other than God (58%)
• Right/wrong determined by factors other than the Bible (77%)
• The Bible is not the authoritative and true word of God (59%)
• People are basically good (69%)

"“If you look at some of the dominant elements in the American mind and heart today, as illuminated by the Inventory, most people believe that the purpose of life is feeling good about yourself,” Barna says. “Most people contend that all faiths are of equal value, that entry into God’s eternal presence is determined by one’s personal means of choice and that there are no absolutes to guide or grow us morally.”

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.

and here I thought Jesus was talking about fruit, not salvation.

It is interesting (should be noted) that the reason(s) for believing works may be (or is) part of salvation is likely vastly different for the different "groups" they listed. The first example given was one of loose values, as if some generally nice actions are probably all it takes and Jesus is optional. And then there was a listing of the groups. (Subtle implication being that these groups are soft and easily persuaded by the world).

I have no doubt that some of the groups' reasonings are far from being because they are easily pushed around.

For example, Jesus said if a person hears (believes) his sayings but doesn't DO them.... That person will be like someone building a house on sand that stands until the storm comes...then what they built gets destroyed. The person that DID ("works" you say?) did not suffer the loss of what he built. It's hard to get around those verses without realizing there must be some "doing" involved. Those things may be called "works" by some. I particularly don't care what people call being obedient to the teachings of Jesus. I just know it's safe to follow him "works and all".

The key is "works of faith" not "works of the law".

Faith requires appropriate action(s) or bad things result. What good is it to notice someone is freezing if you don't give them shelter? Notice that those on the left hand (during judgement) were told that God had a need and they did nothing to fix it. (Spoiler alert: it ends poorly for them). Those on the right hand were told that God had a need and they did something to fix it. (It ends well for them ) ASK, knock, seek, pray, follow, take up your cross, etc, etc, are all calls to action... doing..."work"-ing (if you want to call it that). The harvest truly is plenteous,... but the laborers are few. The servant (chosen one, person who called the master "lord") that was cast out into outer darkness was one that was accounted worthy of gifts and trust...but did nothing with it...and it ended very poorly for him. Those that went to WORK were fine... and greatly rewarded.

One last thing I'll say on that. Jesus said "Straight is the gate and narrow is the way that leads to life, and few there be that find it". You may think you are safe because you believe you have entered the gate of salvation through belief in Jesus... But even if you did actually get that part right you still have a way (a path that must be walked) to figure out for the rest of your life on earth.... if you want to enter into HIS life. And do you think you can do that without changing your "works" from what you started with? (I'm pretty sure you know you can't keep the same works you started with). What you'll then have to do is figure out "How can there be 'works' required without violating faith? And what would these 'works' actually be?" And remember that Jesus said "and FEW there be that find it".

It's no wonder there is a commandment to "work out your own salvation with fear and trembling". (Philipians 2:12)

Love in Jesus,
Kelby

What did He mean by "in Me?"

John 15:2: "Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit."

We have been placed in Christ through the Gospel message believed.

Romans 6:3-4 CSB
[3] Or are you unaware that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? [4] Therefore we were buried with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, so we too may walk in newness of life.

baptism being that image.

Seems like God would abandon us if after we become His child, He ceases to intercede for us (Rom 8:34), ceases to chastise/discipline us (Heb 12:6) ceases to lead, guide, enlighten and strengthening us by the Holy Spirit. etc.
But if He does all these things, how will we abandon him unless we are totally depraved, which would be all the more reason for Him to save and Him alone?

This doesn't really answer my question but I didn't expect it to.

I know better than get into a debate with you over this. We'll just have to agree to disagree.

What did He mean by "in Me?"

John 15:2: "Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit."

First off

The words "take away" is actually a mistranslated in the english text.

The greek word "airo" actually means to raise up. To raise up off the ground. to raise up into the air, to elevate to lift......

It is a common practice in the vine industry. If a branch is on the ground, the branch can not produce fruit. So it is lifted or raised up off the ground, so it can start to produce fruit.

2nd off, Both things whihc are meantioned are done by the vinedressor to help a branch produce fruit..

hence, The whole passage is on producing fruit. As @crossnote said.

First off, the words "take away" is actually a mistranslated in the english text.

The greek word "airo" actually means to raise up. To raise up off the ground. to raise up into the air, to elevate to lift......

It doesn't actually mean raise up, that's one possible meaning; and it doesn't make any sense in the context of the passage. v. 6 tells us what is meant: "If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned."

If you say it means "raise up" you then have to say virtually every English translation has it wrong.

Again, debating this is fruitless and pointless. I don't have all day debating a point that I already know will go nowhere.

Faith, without works, is no faith at all. When one claims to believe,, and he truly does, it is works given by the Father. No man has faisth without works even if it is simply believing on the Son of the our Father. Think on Abraham how it was imputed to him as righteousness because he believed. Going through all of the Word there are countless examples of those who believe doing workdsgiven them by the Father. It is all to glorify Him, not us.

One's salvation and repentance is manifested in how they perform the works that the Father has prepared beforehand for them to accomplished.

James 2:26
For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.

I absolutely agree with your estimation.

Doing Good Works doesn't mean trusting one's work. One trusts Christ's Work. But one does Good Works because we were Created in Christ Jesus to do them.