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To: Theresa
So what I am saying is, from this parable Jesus does not despise the good works of non-believers or those who don't believe in the just the correct way. He even held one up as an example of charity. Think about it.

Charity yes, Salvation no. The context of this parable is teaching the Jews that their neighbor could be anyone, not just those who share the same belief system, or racial background. The parable was in answer to the question "...who is my neighbor?" (Luke 10:v29), and brings the questioner to come to the conclusion that Jesus wanted them to come to "Which ... was neighbour unto him that fell among the thieves?"(v36). And he said, "He that shewed mercy on him."

If this was a prerequisite for Salvation, then why does Jesus say in John 14:6 that "... no man cometh unto the Father, but by me."?

Don't confuse charity with Salvation. There are a lot of people who are very charitable, who could care less about Christ. For example there are a lot of practicing Jews who are very charitable, but they flatly deny Christ. In the Christian life charity (love) is one of the outward manifestations of the Holy Spirit's work in our lives (see Galatians 5:22).

391 posted on 01/12/2002 11:10:33 AM PST by P8riot
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To: P8riot
"There are a lot of people who are very charitable, who could care less about Christ. "

Probably because of strident, puffed up Christains who think in the very same heartless and snobby way as the Levites in the parable of the Good Samaritan.

392 posted on 01/12/2002 3:01:14 PM PST by Theresa
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To: P8riot
"For example there are a lot of practicing Jews who are very charitable, but they flatly deny Christ."

And they are all going straight to hell but you're not. Right?

393 posted on 01/12/2002 3:03:54 PM PST by Theresa
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To: P8riot
"If this was a prerequisite for Salvation, then why does Jesus say in John 14:6 that "... no man cometh unto the Father, but by me."?

I never said it was a prerequiste for salvation. This parable has more than just one lesson in it. I cited a parable that showed that Jesus held up the good works of a non-believer as an example of how we should be. It was NOT an ACCIDENT that he chose a Samaritan to make a point that the Samaritan knew who was his neighbor. He was trying to show the crowd that the Levites for all the law and rules they followed and all thier pride and assurance of salvation they were going too far by thinking that they could pass by a person in need because of the Sabbath rules or because he was an ungodly, unclean heathen. And I think it is not incorrect to draw the inference that Jesus was telling them that he has a lot more sympathy for the heathen who does the right thing than the Jew/Christian who does the wrong thing. That heathen is acting a lot like Jesus himself, though he does not know who Jesus is. And if that heathen by his works shows he is following Jesus even though he never had a formal or proper introduction then he is coming to Jesus and to the Father.

I give up. This is too nuanced for some of you.

394 posted on 01/12/2002 4:33:51 PM PST by Theresa
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