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

[Jackson123]

Bush. You have never heard of bushes? Rose bush? Blackberry bush? Thistle is not a
tree either. Shrubs, briars and brambles also grow thorns. None of them are trees.

Thanks
i mind plant, not land plant will be burn, not land

 

[Inquisitor]

No alteration is required. The words in Ephesians 2 are good enough. There are two kinds of works which are works required to fulfill the law, also known as works of the law, and there are good works. Good works are things like being a Good Samaritan or feeding hungry people.

The kind of works Ephesians 2 is saying that don’t save you are works of the law which is clear in verses 11-18.

Even if you just look at verses 8-10 it tells you the works that are required.


Ephesians 2:8-10 KJV
8For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9Not of works, lest any man should boast. 10For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

Plainly, you aren’t saved by works of the law, but you were created for good works and God ordained it so the good works are a requirement and the law keeping works are not a requirement. I don’t have any better explanation on it so just consider it and see if that fits with your convictions.

You cannot be saved by the works of the law or even good works.

You can only ever qualify for salvation by believing in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

 

[Runningman]

We are saved FOR good works and NOT BY good works. (Ephesians 2:8-10)

One doesn’t need to be a Christian to do good works for people. So we’re saved in order to do good works? Why?

Refuse to do good works altogether? That is not descriptive of someone who is born of God. All genuine believers are fruitful, yet not all are equally fruitful. (Matthew 13:23)

Not exactly.

John 15:1 "I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser.
John 15:2 Every branch that does not bear fruit in me, he removes it, and every branch that bears fruit, he prunes it in order that it may bear more fruit

In regards to the parable of the unprofitable servant, the talents represent monetary value and are distributed according to ability (Matthew 25:15). The requirement is to invest in Christ. The first two servants deposited their money with the bankers (Matthew 25:27) but the third servant buried his money in the ground (vs. 25). The third servant had been given abilities and the opportunity to believe and bear fruit in accordance, but had chosen to reject it.

The fact that the latter man in this parable is called wicked and slothful and an unprofitable servant (Matthew 25:30) who is cast out into outer darkness, certainly indicates that he was not a true disciple of the master. The idea of this illustrative parable is that all true believers will produce fruit in varying degrees. Again, all genuine believers are fruitful, but not all are equally fruitful (Matthew 13:23). Those who produce no results at all are not truly converted. Faith without works is dead. (James 2:14-24)

This parable doesn’t seem to be about fake servants. I mean he wasn’t called a fake servant, he was called worthless.

 

[Goliath]

do you believe what Jesus said next?

Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.​

(John 8:36)​

​

???...Okay...But how does that nullify what Jesus said before that?
Free of what??

do you believe what Paul said next?

What then? Are we better than they? Not at all. For we have previously charged both Jews and Greeks that they are all under sin.​

As it is written:​

​

“There is none righteous, no, not one;​

There is none who understands;​

There is none who seeks after God.​

They have all turned aside;​

They have together become unprofitable;​

There is none who does good, no, not one.”​

"Their throat is an open tomb;​

With their tongues they have practiced deceit”;​

“The poison of asps is under their lips”;​

“Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness.”​

“Their feet are swift to shed blood;​

Destruction and misery are in their ways;​

And the way of peace they have not known.”​

“There is no fear of God before their eyes.”​

Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God. Therefore by the deeds of the law no flesh will be justified in His sight, for by the law is the knowledge of sin.​

​

But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, even the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all who believe. For there is no difference; for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God set forth as a propitiation by His blood, through faith, to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance God had passed over the sins that were previously committed, to demonstrate at the present time His righteousness, that He might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.​

Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? Of works? No, but by the law of faith. Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith apart from the deeds of the law. ​

(Romans 3:9-28)​

Does this nullify what Paul wrote in (Romans 2:6&7)?
See this is what many of you don't understand....One truth doesn't cancel out another Truth.
The teachings must be....reconciled. I will show you how...then you can do the same...using supporting scripture...not your theories.

First off...(Romans 3) was directed at the Jews...(Those who had been under the Law of Moses).
What advantage then hath the Jew? Or what profit is there in circumcision?
(Romans 3:1)

What Paul is referring to in (Romans 3:9-28) is the "Works" of the Law of Moses. Because they sought it not by faith but, as it were, by the "Works" of the law. (Romans 9:32)
What is Paul referring to...when he says....the "Works," of the Law of Moses?
That part of the Law which the Jews had to DO!!
Why did Paul use the term, "Works of the Law"?
To separate the "Works Of The Law" from the rest of the Law...AKA...The Ten Commandments.
The "Works Of The Law" were Laws which required the Jews to do something.
The Ten Commandments was that part of the Law which were things they were "not to do."
God did away with the "Works of The Law" because this part of the Law of Moses did nothing to change the heart. The law is only a shadow of the good things....For this reason it can never, by the same sacrifices repeated endlessly year after year, make perfect those who draw near to worship. (Hebrews 10:1-4)
And God replaced it with the Law of Christ...A Law, that through Love.,..can change the heart of sinful man, which is why Paul wrote what he did....in (Romans 2:6&7).

Now...to make this a bit clearer,... to those who would like to understand why Paul wrote what he did.
Circumcision was part of the Law of Moses, it was part of the "Works of the Law".
Now,...Look throughout the New Testament and see if you can find any teaching where people will be condemned, for not being Circumcised.
Now,....look again, and see if you can find people being condemned for breaking the Ten Commandments.

 

[posthuman]

First off...(Romans 3) was directed at the Jews...(Those who had been under the Law of Moses).
What advantage then hath the Jew? Or what profit is there in circumcision?
(Romans 3:1)

are Jews saved by faith and Gentiles by works??

What shall we conclude then? Do we have any advantage?
Not at all! For we have already made the charge that Jews and Gentiles alike are all under the power of sin.
(Romans 3:9) ​

 

[Goliath]

are Jews saved by faith and Gentiles by works??

What shall we conclude then? Do we have any advantage? ​

Not at all! For we have already made the charge that Jews and Gentiles alike are all under the power of sin.​

(Romans 3:9) ​

The New Covenant is written for both.

 

[Goliath]

are Jews saved by faith and Gentiles by works??

What shall we conclude then? Do we have any advantage? ​

Not at all! For we have already made the charge that Jews and Gentiles alike are all under the power of sin.​

(Romans 3:9) ​

To be clear...Faith in Jesus Christ requires all who which to be saved, to obey him.
You, and many others don't understand this point, and it's primarily because of what Paul wrote in the Book of Romans.
What church do we know today, as being founded in Rome?
Ever notice how the teachers of this church call themselves Priests?
Ever notice they still dress in the ceremonial gowns of the Levite Priests?
In Romans...Paul was preaching to the people who were following these teachers of the Law, those Jewish teachers who had converted to Christianity....and founded this church.
He was attempting to clarify the Gospel to these people.

And BTW, Faith!!
If you do what Jesus taught us to do, this shows you have faith in him, faith in him as the promised Savior.
If you do not do what he taught us to do, this shows you don't have faith, faith in him as the promised Savior. I really do want you to understand this.

 

[SparkyGreg]

Your post is correct.

There are many sections in the Bible in which Jesus informs us that we must do something in order to cooperate with His gift of salvation. All the references below involve acts/works on our part and were taught by Jesus.

Lets say there is a man who offers to mow your lawn for free. He wants to do this to demonstrate his ability to do a good job to you and those passing by. He has his own mower, gas and a sign to put up when done. He finishes the job. You are pleased with his work. When he asks if he can put up his sign and you will recommend him. You say yes.
Now, where did the homeowner cooperate in the finished work. He didn't do the mowing. He didn't provide the tools to finish. the laborer did all the work. The man was pleased with his work and gladly advertised it to others.
Jesus said "It is finished!" The work of salvation is complete. There is nothing we can add to the righteousness Jesus earned. Nothing we can do to enhance the forgiveness and heaven He obtained. He offers it as a free gift. We appreciate His sacrifice and trust that He is the only way to heaven.
Matthew 19
23Then Jesus said to His disciples, “Truly I tell you, it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. 24Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.”
25When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished and asked, “Who then can be saved?”
26Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”

It is impossible by riches, obedience, charity to enter the kingdom of God. Only he makes it possible and it is through His gift of faith in Jesus to us.

 

[mailmandan]

One doesn’t need to be a Christian to do good works for people.

Does God see works as genuine good works in the lives of non-Christians/make believers? (Matthew 7:22-23; Luke 18:9-12)

So we’re saved in order to do good works? Why?

Good works are profitable (Titus 3:8) are necessary to meet needs (Titus 3:14) and good works glorify our Father in heaven. (Matthew 5:16)

Not exactly.

So you disagree with Matthew 13:23? Only the seed that fell on good ground yielded a crop. Mark 4:8 - But other seed fell on good ground and yielded a crop that sprang up, increased and produced: some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some a hundred.

John 15:1

"I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser.
John 15:2 Every branch that does not bear fruit in me, he removes it, and every branch that bears fruit, he prunes it in order that it may bear more fruit

In John 15:2-6, the branches that bear fruit and remain are genuine believers (like the remaining 11 disciples). The self-attached branches that bear no fruit and do not remain are not genuine believers (like Judas Iscariot). In John 15:2, Jesus mentions branches that bear no fruit and branches that bear fruit but Jesus says nothing about branches that bear fruit but then later stop bearing fruit.

Greek scholar AT Robertson points out that there are two kinds of connections with Christ as the vine (the merely cosmic which bears no fruit, the spiritual and vital which bears fruit). Probably (Bernard) Jesus here refers to Judas:

https://www.bibles.cloud/comments/robertson/43/15/2

When Jesus spoke these words in John 15, how many people at that time, prior to Him being glorified, had received the Holy Spirit and were baptized by one Spirit into one body? - "the body of Christ?" (1 Corinthians 12:13) -- NONE.

John 7:38 - He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water. 39 But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those believing in Him would receive; for the Holy Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified. So "in me" is part of the metaphor of the vine (in the vine) and not in the body of Christ under the new covenant which was not yet fully established.

Without that vital union with Christ, there can be no spiritual life and no productivity. Those who profess to know Christ but whose relationship to Him is self-attached, Christ neither saved them and does not sustain them. Eventually, the dead self-attached fruitless branches are cut off.

This parable doesn’t seem to be about fake servants. I mean he wasn’t called a fake servant, he was called worthless.

Two out of three of those servants were not fake servants. So "wicked" and "lazy" and "unprofitable" = genuine servant? Not hardly. There are false servants in scripture, along with false disciples (John 6:64-71) and false brethren. (2 Corinthians 11:26; Galatians 2:4)

 

[FreeGrace2]

you not agree with jesus

Couldn't be MORE WRONG. It is YOU who disagree with Jesus.

He told us in CLEAR WORDS that recipients of eternal life shall NEVER perish.

But, do YOU believe that? No, you don't believe that at all. So pleas don't tell me who I don't believe, esp since it is YOU who doesn't believe Jesus.

Why Jesus put sheep to heaven

Jesus told us why. He gives believers eternal life (John 5:24) and therefore recipients of eternal life shall NEVER perish. Jn 10:28

But YOU don't believe any of that.

jesus never lie

Correct. So then, WHY do YOU disagree with Him?

He put them to heaven because

read verse 35 and don’t lie to me

Because He gives them eternal life and they shall never perish. Why don't YOU believe Him?

 

[FreeGrace2]

[QUOTE="Jackson123, post: 4880489, member: 188361"jesus never lie[/QUOTE]
Interesting statement from one who DISAGREES with Jesus.

I've asked you several times about whether Jesus meant this from John 10:28-

Recipients of eternal life shall never perish.

Did Jesus mean this or something else?

Since you've ignored my several attempts to get a response from you, does this mean you simply don't understand the verse, or that you KNOW FULL WELL what Jesus said AND meant, but you don't want to admit what He said AND meant?

Why are you avoiding this verse so much? It is very clearly and plainly worded. Doesn't take a Greek expert to interpret.

You say that "Jesus never lied".

So, since you believe that Jesus didn't lie, just what did He MEAN in John 10:28? Do you know?

If you can't figure it out, just admit it. But, of course, His words are TOO CLEAR to misunderstand, aren't they.

Your practice of avoiding clearly stated verses that OBVIOUSLY REFUTE your own opinions isn't a good option for you.

When verses are given to you that REFUTE what you think other verses mean, you need to just accept that you were wrong and believe the clear verses and re-align your thinking of the other verses.

 

[Jackson123]

Couldn't be MORE WRONG. It is YOU who disagree with Jesus.

He told us in CLEAR WORDS that recipients of eternal life shall NEVER perish.

But, do YOU believe that? No, you don't believe that at all. So pleas don't tell me who I don't believe, esp since it is YOU who doesn't believe Jesus.


Jesus told us why. He gives believers eternal life (John 5:24) and therefore recipients of eternal life shall NEVER perish. Jn 10:28

But YOU don't believe any of that.


Correct. So then, WHY do YOU disagree with Him?


Because He gives them eternal life and they shall never perish. Why don't YOU believe Him?

I think you have problem with understanding the Word

you not consider the Bible as a whole
like you have a contract to do business
read contract business contract between imf and indonesia
imf loan it money but have to pay back in certain condition
i think they have 114 item
not only one

basically have to pay back or confiscated asset

same thing happen here
faith, to the end/endure He will make you bear fruit or cut off and cast into fire/hell
you obligate to have faith or go to hell
did the verse say only need a second than deny not cost you confiscated your salvation?

it say deny Me I will deny you in front my Father or go to hell

 

[XavierJesusLovesIndia]

As long as everyone is clear that salvation is by grace through faith -- apart from works -- but good works must follow genuine saving faith. And that is precisely what James is telling us.

Hi Nehemiah.

Well, imo initial justification is by grace through faith, apart from works. And yes, I agree good works follow faith and are the fruit of faith. But James is telling us more than that imo; he is saying that good works, done in faith, contribute to growth in justification, or sanctification. Good works not only showed that Abraham, for e.g. already had faith, but his love for God and obedience to His Commands also made his faith perfect. Thus: "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. 24You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only."

Would you disagree? Two other verses, on persevering in faith, and continuing to do good works until the end:

Rev 2:10: "Be faithful even unto death, and I will give you the crown of life."

Rev 2:26: "And to the one who overcomes and continues in My work until the end, I will give authority over the nations."

Huh? So your opinion was simply to IGNORE v.18?

I don't ignore anything. I agree with 2:18 and 2:18 says we show our faith by our works. But that's not all James teaches.

Are you ignoring verses 21 and 22? I quoted it above. Good Works increase the justification we received initially by grace through faith; for e.g. Abraham was justified already in Gen 15:6. In Gen 22, he offers his son out of obedience and love to God, which is described in Jam 2:21. And James says Abraham was justified further (in Gen 22) or sanctified by this work.

Now, how will you deal with that? Good works increase the righteousness we receive by faith; that is why James teaches, in verse 22 "faith was working together with his works, and by works faith was made perfect". Recall in the Gospel, Our Lord taught: "Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect." (Mat 5:48). How can we do this? By adding works to faith, for the verse says: "by works faith was made perfect". Good works contribute to our sanctification.

ONLY those works done in the power of the Holy Spirit.

Yes, no disagreement there. I'm speaking of Good Works done post justification. Good Works before justification, done without the Holy Spirit, do not sanctify. But the former does. 2 Pet 1:5-11 is another passage that teaches this clearly.

And you and I agree that Good Works, done on the foundation of Faith in Christ, have rewards in Heaven, as 1 Cor 3:10-15 teaches. The reason they do is that those who co-operated with God's Grace and did good works were sanctified more.

Absolutely. But good works do NOT conntribute anything to our salvation.

On this we disagree. Good works are definitely the fruit of faith, but they also help our sanctification, and thus contribute toward gaining the grace of perseverance in the faith, for which Our Lord taught us to pray: "Lead us not into temptation". When we pray like that, we are praying for the grace to persevere, in being faithful to Christ, and avoiding grave sin. As we continue to pray, this grace will sooner or later be given to us. But it is not instantaneous like justification, and requires prayer, good works, fruitfulness in faith, etc. Paul at one time said: "But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified." (1 Cor 9:27)

If he believed in eternal security, he would never have written this. 1 Cor 9 was written earlier in Paul's ministry, around 53 A.D. Later on, nearer to his death and martyrdom for Jesus, the Lord revealed to him that he would persevere, and thus go to Heaven. Thus he wrote, in 2 Timothy, near 67 A.D. when he was martyred: "6For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure is at hand. 7I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing ... 18And the Lord will deliver me from every evil work and preserve me for His heavenly kingdom. To Him be glory forever and ever. Amen!" (2 Tim 4)

This is the same crown the Lord speaks of in Rev 2:10, as the gracious reward promised for faithfulness unto death; it's not enough to say "I said the Sinner's Prayer once in 30 seconds, and that's it. We must say, at the end of life, "By God's Grace, I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith, for the Lord delivered me from every evil".

Then, we will go to Heaven. God Bless.

 

[Jackson123]

Hi Nehemiah.

Well, imo initial justification is by grace through faith, apart from works. And yes, I agree good works follow faith and are the fruit of faith. But James is telling us more than that imo; he is saying that good works, done in faith, contribute to growth in justification, or sanctification. Good works not only showed that Abraham, for e.g. already had faith, but his love for God and obedience to His Commands also made his faith perfect. Thus: "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. 24You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only."

Would you disagree? Two other verses, on persevering in faith, and continuing to do good works until the end:

Rev 2:10: "Be faithful even unto death, and I will give you the crown of life."

Rev 2:26: "And to the one who overcomes and continues in My work until the end, I will give authority over the nations."



I don't ignore anything. I agree with 2:18 and 2:18 says we show our faith by our works. But that's not all James teaches.

Are you ignoring verses 21 and 22? I quoted it above. Good Works increase the justification we received initially by grace through faith; for e.g. Abraham was justified already in Gen 15:6. In Gen 22, he offers his son out of obedience and love to God, which is described in Jam 2:21. And James says Abraham was justified further (in Gen 22) or sanctified by this work.

Now, how will you deal with that? Good works increase the righteousness we receive by faith; that is why James teaches, in verse 22 "faith was working together with his works, and by works faith was made perfect". Recall in the Gospel, Our Lord taught: "Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect." (Mat 5:48). How can we do this? By adding works to faith, for the verse says: "by works faith was made perfect". Good works contribute to our sanctification.



Yes, no disagreement there. I'm speaking of Good Works done post justification. Good Works before justification, done without the Holy Spirit, do not sanctify. But the former does. 2 Pet 1:5-11 is another passage that teaches this clearly.

And you and I agree that Good Works, done on the foundation of Faith in Christ, have rewards in Heaven, as 1 Cor 3:10-15 teaches. The reason they do is that those who co-operated with God's Grace and did good works were sanctified more.



On this we disagree. Good works are definitely the fruit of faith, but they also help our sanctification, and thus contribute toward gaining the grace of perseverance in the faith, for which Our Lord taught us to pray: "Lead us not into temptation". When we pray like that, we are praying for the grace to persevere, in being faithful to Christ, and avoiding grave sin. As we continue to pray, this grace will sooner or later be given to us. But it is not instantaneous like justification, and requires prayer, good works, fruitfulness in faith, etc. Paul at one time said: "But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified." (1 Cor 9:27)

If he believed in eternal security, he would never have written this. 1 Cor 9 was written earlier in Paul's ministry, around 53 A.D. Later on, nearer to his death and martyrdom for Jesus, the Lord revealed to him that he would persevere, and thus go to Heaven. Thus he wrote, in 2 Timothy, near 67 A.D. when he was martyred: "6For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure is at hand. 7I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing ... 18And the Lord will deliver me from every evil work and preserve me for His heavenly kingdom. To Him be glory forever and ever. Amen!" (2 Tim 4)

This is the same crown the Lord speaks of in Rev 2:10, as the gracious reward promised for faithfulness unto death; it's not enough to say "I said the Sinner's Prayer once in 30 seconds, and that's it. We must say, at the end of life, "By God's Grace, I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith, for the Lord delivered me from every evil".

Then, we will go to Heaven. God Bless.

yep it is agree with Jesus teaching in John 15 unfruitful branch will cut off and cast into fire
also Matt 25 goat or un loving people is unfruitful branch in John 15 will end up in eternal fire or hell
i know it scary, I wish I still hold my selfishness and still go to heaven, I don’t care go to heaven with less reward as long as heaven
but not Jesus say
unfruitful or no love or not helping Jesus when Jesus or poor hungry will face hell
jesus will say depart from me because you not feed me when I was hungry

hmm Jesus teach work Base salvation I don’t like it, make harder for me to go to heaven
i am selfish person I don’t want to share my little belonging to the poor
ponder it

if I am selfish I don’t want to lose anything
the most I have is heaven, it is $trillion
jesus tell how in Matt 25

 

[Nehemiah6]

But James is telling us more than that imo; he is saying that good works, done in faith, contribute to growth in justification, or sanctification.

Yes. Growth in sanctification. But there is no growth in justification. When God justifies a sinner, He declares him or her to be righteous, and imputes righteousness to the one who is unrighteous. And imputed righteousness is complete to begin with. See Romans 4.

 

[XavierJesusLovesIndia]

yep it is agree with Jesus teaching in John 15 unfruitful branch will cut off and cast into fire
also Matt 25 goat or un loving people is unfruitful branch in John 15 will end up in eternal fire or hell
i know it scary, I wish I still hold my selfishness and still go to heaven, I don’t care go to heaven with less reward as long as heaven
but not Jesus say
unfruitful or no love or not helping Jesus when Jesus or poor hungry will face hell
jesus will say depart from me because you not feed me when I was hungry

hmm Jesus teach work Base salvation I don’t like it, make harder for me to go to heaven
i am selfish person I don’t want to share my little belonging to the poor
ponder it

if I am selfish I don’t want to lose anything
the most I have is heaven, it is $trillion
jesus tell how in Matt 25

Yes, Jackson. I agree. Our Lord Jesus taught us to "store up treasures in Heaven" (Mat 6:20). How can we do this? By doing good works, praying, loving the poor, exercising charity etc. Paul gives a beautiful explanation in 1 Tim 6 about the same.

1 Tim 6:

"Error and Greed

6Now godliness with contentment is great gain. 7For we brought nothing into this world, [d]and it is certain we can carry nothing out. 8And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content. 9But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition. 10For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows ...

Instructions to the Rich
17Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy. 18Let them do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share, 19storing up for themselves a good foundation for the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life."

God Bless.

 

[XavierJesusLovesIndia]

Yes. Growth in sanctification. But there is no growth in justification. When God justifies a sinner, He declares him or her to be righteous, and imputes righteousness to the one who is unrighteous. And imputed righteousness is complete to begin with. See Romans 4.

Ok. So, you believe in Imputed Righteousness. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Imputed_righteousness

I believe in Infused Righteousness: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Infused_righteousness

2 Pet 1 suggests that qualities like love etc are infused into the believer, and we can grow in them by our efforts to co-operate with God's Grace. The Apostle says we can confirm our calling and election and receive a rich entrance into Heaven by doing this. Thoughts on that, Nehemiah?

"2 Pet 1:
Fruitful Growth in the Faith
5 But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, 6 to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, 7 to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love. 8 For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 For he who lacks these things is shortsighted, even to blindness, and has forgotten that he was cleansed from his old sins.

10 Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble; 11 for so an entrance will be supplied to you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ."

And in another translation:

"5 For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; 6 and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; 7 and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. 8 For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 But whoever does not have them is nearsighted and blind, forgetting that they have been cleansed from their past sins.

10 Therefore, my brothers and sisters, make every effort to confirm your calling and election. For if you do these things, you will never stumble, 11 and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ."

"Goodness" "love" etc are here described, which we are to add to faith according to this passage. They are called "qualities" we can "possess .. in increasign measure". That seems to support infused righteousness imho.

God Bless.

 

[Jackson123]

Yes, Jackson. I agree. Our Lord Jesus taught us to "store up treasures in Heaven" (Mat 6:20). How can we do this? By doing good works, praying, loving the poor, exercising charity etc. Paul gives a beautiful explanation in 1 Tim 6 about the same.

1 Tim 6:

"Error and Greed

6Now godliness with contentment is great gain. 7For we brought nothing into this world, [d]and it is certain we can carry nothing out. 8And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content. 9But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition. 10For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows ...

Instructions to the Rich
17Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy. 18Let them do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share, 19storing up for themselves a good foundation for the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life."

God Bless.

Yep, actually I know I still tempted to be greedy I still pray that Jesus in me help me free from my selfishness, and every time I remember Matt 25 I pray, Jesus go e me power to free from my greed attitude

I remember when I was 9 years old, I was cry because my toy brooked
in high school I found my broken toy and laugh
why I was cry for that toy
our belonging on earth was nothing compare what we get in heaven, like toy
we hold on our toy to lose real heavenly property
we act like child

 

[FreeGrace2]

I think you have problem with understanding the Word

That is hilarious!! I'm done trying to have a discussion with you given your blatant refusal to answer simple questions.

Again, John 10:28 says "I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish"

Now, did Jesus say that recipients of eternal life shall never perish? yes or no

If "no", then what did He mean?

 

[Goliath]

are Jews saved by faith and Gentiles by works??

What shall we conclude then? Do we have any advantage? ​

Not at all! For we have already made the charge that Jews and Gentiles alike are all under the power of sin.​

(Romans 3:9) ​

When I saw that they were not acting in line with the truth of the gospel, I said to Cephas/Peter in front of them all, “You are a Jew, yet you live like a Gentile and not like a Jew. How is it, then, that you force Gentiles to follow Jewish customs... “We who are Jews by birth and not sinful Gentiles know that a person is not justified by the works of the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ. So we, too, have put our faith in Christ Jesus that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law, because by the works of the law no one will be justified.
(Galatians 2:14-16)

Now tell me, by reading what's written above...What are the "Works of the Law", Paul is talking about?
The Ten Commandments or the Jewish customs Paul is accusing Peter of?
And if these Works of the Law, were a problem with the other churches Paul wrote letters to, why didn't Paul address it with them?