Posted on 10/13/2013 12:01:40 PM PDT by matthewrobertolson
Expounding on the importance of our actions for salvation is, I suppose, my primary “thing.” I have been in so many informal debates over the issue that I have started to lose count of them. I have written about the topic many times. And often, I become angry (like God in 1 Kings 11:9-10) at the mere thought of sola fide (“faith alone”), because I know that it is completely contrary to “what the Lord [has] commanded.” But why?
“Faith alone” was, without a doubt, the primary reason that I left Protestantism. Even though I was ill-educated in theology at the time, I knew that it was illogical.
I like to think of sola fide in terms of criminal law. Imagine that someone went before a judge and was proven guilty of heinous crimes, but then pleaded to the judge that he believed in the judge's authority to convict him and so the judge should not do so – and had that as his only defense. Should the judge convict him – to any degree – or should the judge completely let him off, and then give him a reward?
Do you find the “faith alone” argument compelling in such an instance? I do not. Of course, a “faith alone”-r would say that there is some sort of significant difference between such a scenario in terms of temporal law and such a scenario in terms of eternal law, but there really is not. Protestant arguments for the belief simply do not stand in the face of such scenarios or substantial scrutiny.
I strongly believe that sola fide is at the heart of many Western problems. Self-professed Christians have used it as an excuse to not care for the disadvantaged, to engage in profane sexual activity, etc. – the list goes on and on.
Martin Luther told his followers to “sin and sin boldly” (among other things, as I have documented) because he taught that we are saved solely by our faith in the power of Jesus Christ, apart from our actions. This method of thinking has been adopted by millions of Protestants since his time. But is it supported by the Bible? No. See Hebrews 10:26-27:
“For if we go on sinning willfully after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a terrifying expectation of judgment and the fury of a fire which will consume the adversaries.”
“Faith alone” has had a terrible impact on society. People often now shy away from discussing religion or morality with others, fearing conflict. Take, for example, something that transpired between a Lutheran family member and me. After I privately and politely informed her that she had committed a grievous sin (like we are called to do – see Matthew 18:15-17, Galatians 6:1, and Ephesians 4:15), she immediately jumped to the “Who are you to judge?” defense and paired it with the “Jesus paid the price” line. I am sure that, for many Catholics, such occurrences are unfortunately familiar.
God has written in our hearts (Romans 2:15) that we should serve Him and others, not our selfish desires -- and we will be punished if we defy Him. The necessity of both good works and abstinence from grave sin gives our lives concrete meaning. If someone takes away the eternal significance of our actions, they rob us of any real purpose: we all just become random, faceless, unimportant beings.
Sola fide does not work either logically or practically; it fails on all counts. Now, you know why I hate it.
(All verses are from the NASB translation.)
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>> a works based Salvation for sure.
Unfortunately, AMEN. Catholicsm, like Islam and Hinduism, is a “works-based” belief systems.
True Christianity is NOT!!! a “works-based” belief system.
It involves saving GRACE; we are bought and paid for COMPLETELY by the blood of JESUS, the CHRIST.
Scripture is quite clear on this.
I'm sure you will someday.
Have fun!
Exposing posers on FR is one of my favorite pass-times... especially when the posers are atheists.
>> Most of those whom I reply to know who I am.
I know who you are — you are lost. And I am sad for you.
:’^(
Pastime.
Like I said, have fun.
>> If it were not for Purgatory, few souls would reach Heaven,
Curiously, Purgatory is never mentioned in Scripture. Not even once.
It is a total fabrication of the Papists.
Although it *is* mentioned in Colorado skiing literature.
You’re a thinking man.
So was C. S. Lewis.
I suggest you pick up a copy of his “Mere Christianity”.
Whatever it does, or doesn’t do, to your belief system, I think you will enjoy the intellectual exercise.
She says Catholics can only be declared Saints after their death by the church. Thus John Paul II was declared to be a saint after his death.
Therefore all Catholics, through this belief, go to purgatory after their death and have no assurance of salvation??
It sounds much like the Muslim faith, where salvation is also unknown upon death.
Hahahahahahahahaaaaa... another advertisement for heretical teachings from Rome, and another BlogPimping from the author...
John 3: ... 16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. 18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son. 19 This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. 2 ... -Love, Jesus
Ephesians 2: 8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast. 10 For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. - Love, Paul
I don't discourage faith alone. I'm confident that we are justified by faith alone. That it is only our faith in christ that saves us. But I also believe that if we have that faith we will grow and be the good tree that produces good fruit. That is the evidence of true faith.
It is way to easy to say "I believe, I'm saved"... and then live with no evidence of that. The idea that a person can claim faith in Christ and then live however they want does much damage. It produces the "tares". I agree it is God who grows and matures us. But he only does that where we let him. And those who live a lifetime without letting Christ mature them never knew him. That's the way I read it.
Every true believer will be able to account how they have done something that doesn't bear evidence of faithfulness. That is the consequence of sin and a scarred human soul.
Reiterating we might not be saved after faith simply encourages guilt, which is also sinful.
Every believer is still a sinner and if they claim they aren't, don't have the truth in them.
It's by faith alone in Christ alone that we abide by Him. As soon as anything else is added to faith, it voids the faith in what He performed on the Cross.
I’ve actually heard that in order for a Catholic to go directly to heaven they have to be declared a “Saint” by the church. All other Catholics have to go through purgatory and are not sure; a works based Salvation for sure.
You’ve actually heard? Hopefully no fully informed Catholic said that to you since it is untrue.
You know... Matthew Henry says it pretty good in his commentary on James 2. I think his commentary on James 2 is consistent with the teaching in the gospels as well.
Catholicism s NOT a works-based belief system.
The late, great Bishop Fulton J Sheen once said that “many people hate the Catholic Church because they believe things about the Catholic Church which are just not true!”
So, despite what Genesis and Romans says, we’re going to go with something that was unsaid.
However, my words were that faith puts us on God’s certain road to salvation. HE (God) is the one who sees us make progress through the years. IF God chooses to add grace for works to make us more what He wants us to be, then you will not be without those.
But, God has promised that if we START with Him that He will see we FINISH with Him.
Do you doubt that He keeps His promises?
I shudder to think how many souls Luther has sent to hell!
From the Book of James...
4
6 What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him?
15
If a brother or sister has nothing to wear and has no food for the day,
16
and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, keep warm, and eat well,” but you do not give them the necessities of the body, what good is it?
17
So also faith of itself, if it does not have works, is dead.
18
Indeed someone might say, “You have faith and I have works.” Demonstrate your faith to me without works, and I will demonstrate my faith to you from my works.
>> Catholicism s NOT a works-based belief system.
Duly noted.
>> “many people hate the Catholic Church...”
I’m not one of those “many people”. In my view Catholics are Heaven-bound Christians... just like me. I don’t agree with all their doctrines, but that is small potatoes relative to the main thing — soul salvation!
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