And by what set of criteria do you use to determine whether a version of scripture is legitimate? What authority do you appeal?
Using the entire biblical passage of Isaiah 64:6 is instructive for context. The prophet was lamenting the sinfulness of the Kingdom of Judah and stating that even their or “our” righteous works were void because of their state of sinfulness. This was not a condemnation of righteous works in and of themselves.
The strawman here is the misrepresentation that Catholics believe that it is our own works that save us. Not so. The righteous works are God’s works that flow through us as a grace resulting from our Faith. It is our duty to cooperate with God’s will. Faith + works = Salvation.
There’s the misrepresentation.
The strawman here is the misrepresentation that Catholics believe that it is our own works that save us. Not so. The righteous works are God’s works that flow through us as a grace resulting from our Faith. It is our duty to cooperate with God’s will. Faith + works = Salvation.Succinct, simple, and well stated; Your comments are in accordance with:
- I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit. Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.
- Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.
- I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
- Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure. Do all things without murmurings and disputings: That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world; Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain. Yea, and if I be offered upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I joy, and rejoice with you all.
- What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?
- Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him; Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins.
- Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory: Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.
It is our duty to cooperate with God’s will. Faith + works = Salvation. Faith = salvation.
Works follow as a result, but not for the saving of the soul.
Lot was considered righteous. Tell me what good works of HIS you read about.
Tell me what the thief on the cross did.