Posted on 04/24/2015 6:56:10 AM PDT by Gamecock
Faith is not what some people think it is. Their human dream is a delusion. Because they observe that faith is not followed by good works or a better life, they fall into error, even though they speak and hear much about faith. “Faith is not enough,” they say, “You must do good works, you must be pious to be saved.” They think that, when you hear the gospel, you start working, creating by your own strength a thankful heart which says, “I believe.” That is what they think true faith is. But, because this is a human idea, a dream, the heart never learns anything from it, so it does nothing and reform doesn’t come from this ‘faith,’ either.
Instead, faith is God’s work in us, that changes us and gives new birth from God. (John 1:13). It kills the Old Adam and makes us completely different people. It changes our hearts, our spirits, our thoughts and all our powers. It brings the Holy Spirit with it. Yes, it is a living, creative, active and powerful thing, this faith. Faith cannot help doing good works constantly. It doesn’t stop to ask if good works ought to be done, but before anyone asks, it already has done them and continues to do them without ceasing. Anyone who does not do good works in this manner is an unbeliever. He stumbles around and looks for faith and good works, even though he does not know what faith or good works are. Yet he gossips and chatters about faith and good works with many words.
Faith is a living, bold trust in God’s grace, so certain of God’s favor that it would risk death a thousand times trusting in it. Such confidence and knowledge of God’s grace makes you happy, joyful and bold in your relationship to God and all creatures. The Holy Spirit makes this happen through faith. Because of it, you freely, willingly and joyfully do good to everyone, serve everyone, suffer all kinds of things, love and praise the God who has shown you such grace. Thus, it is just as impossible to separate faith and works as it is to separate heat and light from fire! Therefore, watch out for your own false ideas and guard against good-for-nothing gossips, who think they’re smart enough to define faith and works, but really are the greatest of fools. Ask God to work faith in you, or you will remain forever without faith, no matter what you wish, say or can do.
This excerpt is taken from An Introduction to St. Paul’s Letter to the Romans by Martin Luther.
Attempting to combine works and grace is contrary to what Paul taught. The actions of a saved person are the result of salvation not a contribution to it.
No He didn't. Paul described the structure of individual assemblies but never a hierarchical all encompassing organization.
We read it and tell you what is means.
LOL, you still remember that utterly ridiculous statement, don't you? I don't remember who said it, but it was laughable. At first I thought it was supposed to be a joke, then I figured out this dude was serious. If it wasn't so pathetic, it really WOULD be a joke.
Jack's Ridge was very good today. 😀😄😃😇😆🇵🇭
Yes it is.
Well, actually, He said he hated the deeds of the Nicolaitans. Big difference.
He also hates the teaching.
Revelation 2:15 So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate.
So your original question "Isn't the latter a characteristic of the Nicolaitans that Lord Jesus Christ said He "hated"?" is still true. A "characteristic" of the nicolaitans is there teaching and actions is it not?
Oh yes. Just wanted to make the distinction between the Nicolaitans and their doctrines, which I called deeds or works.
You are correct again, CB.
Sal I have read it a few times.. and the NT church had no pope, no priests,no mass, no confessionals,no 7 sacraments, no icons, no "indulgences ",no holy water .. etc, etc, etc
I am discussing the teachings of Jesus Christ as found in the Bible. I am not a Paulist, but a disciple of my master, Jesus Christ. Perhaps that is the cause of the confusion.
Well if nothing I have to say has any credibility, how “credible” are the words of the man who tore Christianity apart. Martin Luther was a vile, raving lunatic.
“First to set fire to their synagogues or schools and to bury and cover with dirt whatever will not burn, so that no man will ever again see a stone or cinder of them. This is to be done in honor of our Lord and of Christendom, so that God might see that we are Christians, and do not condone or knowingly tolerate such public lying, cursing, and blaspheming of his Son and of his Christians. For whatever we tolerated in the past unknowingly and I myself was unaware of it will be pardoned by God. But if we, now that we are informed, were to protect and shield such a house for the Jews, existing right before our very nose, in which they lie about, blaspheme, curse, vilify, and defame Christ and us (as was heard above), it would be the same as if we were doing all this and even worse ourselves, as we very well know.
Second, I advise that their houses also be razed and destroyed. For they pursue in them the same aims as in their synagogues. Instead they might be lodged under a roof or in a barn, like the gypsies. This will bring home to them that they are not masters in our country, as they boast, but that they are living in exile and in captivity, as they incessantly wail and lament about us before God” ~ From Luther’s Works, Volume 47: The Christian in Society IV
Yes, absolutely. The Church isn't a building or a place, but a people. Well said.
The biggest lie of the devil is Rome’s Jesus is the way, truth and life.
It is only an Antichrist, a false christ, a substitute Christ.
One that Rome, as Satan’s vessel, has created.
But that messes up the Protestant daughters too.
I know you are not on that list as you do acknowledge Rome has another Jesus..
Your belief and position isn’t supported by the Bible. It’s supposition and wrong and therefore the worst kind of eisegesis.
Again, I’m not a Paulist, but a follower of Jesus Christ. My beliefs are consistent with his teachings throughout the Bible.
Dont confuse them with history..they think they have that locked up
Correct and you Mark17 just did not make that up...It's in God's Holy Word: (please count the "I will's")
Ezekiel 36:
22 “Therefore say to the house of Israel, ‘Thus says the Lord God: “I do not do this for your sake, O house of Israel, but for My holy name’s sake, which you have profaned among the nations wherever you went. 23And I will sanctify My great name, which has been profaned among the nations, which you have profaned in their midst; and the nations shall know that I am the Lord,” says the Lord God, “when I am hallowed in you before their eyes. 24 For I will take you from among the nations, gather you out of all countries, and bring you into your own land. 25 Then I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean; I will cleanse you from all your filthiness and from all your idols. 26 I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. 27 I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will keep My judgments and do them. 28 Then you shall dwell in the land that I gave to your fathers; you shall be My people, and I will be your God. 29 I will deliver you from all your uncleannesses.
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