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To: matthewrobertolson
Everything depends upon what is meant by "faith". If the term is used merely to refer to a belief that one will be saved no matter what one does, then having that by itself would not only be insufficient to guarantee salvation--it would actually be counterproductive. If, however, the term is used as a 'shorthand' to refer to a more comprehensive mental state, whether that was sufficient would depend upon what sort of mental state was required for someone to "have faith".

I would suggest that those with the required mental state will as a consequence have a very strong disposition toward doing good works and avoiding sin, but that possession of the required mental state does not guarantee perfection in either regard. Those who have their eyes properly set on the prize, and work as well as they can toward it, will find their reward even if in their earthy existence they stumble quite a bit. Conversely, those who set their eyes short of the prize, achieve those goals, and then consider them "sufficient", are apt to ultimately be found wanting.

I would further suggest that what is needed is a recognition that no matter how bad or good one has been in the past, salvation will depend upon one's striving to improve oneself going forward. Nobody is so bad that they cannot turn themselves around and achieve salvation, and nobody is so good that they no longer need to improve. Instead, people's salvation depends not on their past actions, but rather the extent to which they embrace the continuing need to improve.

41 posted on 10/13/2013 1:18:20 PM PDT by supercat (Renounce Covetousness.)
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To: supercat

>> Everything depends upon what is meant by “faith”. &etc

A profitable and well-written post. Thank you!


48 posted on 10/13/2013 1:28:53 PM PDT by Nervous Tick (Without GOD, men get what they deserve.)
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