Posted on 08/17/2015 9:45:07 AM PDT by amessenger4god
yOU ARE SOLD OUT TO a works based religion, so it is probably impossible for such an one to see all their reasoning is based in what is anathema to salvation by Grace of God in Christ. Striving for eternal life is precisely exposed in the Bible as a failing methodology, regardless of how well you think you can twist the scriptures to support the anathema.
You see any extras Jesus added at the end of that message to the questioners? ... No? Then why are you presuming to add to what God has told you so precisely?
“And yet Jesus says that belief is a work”
Insofar as it is the only “work” required for salvation. Indeed one must have faith that God justifies the ungodly (Romans 4:5).
“Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father who is in heaven.” - Matt. 7:21”
And around we go. What is the ultimate will of God for us? John 6:29 - Jesus answered, “The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent.”
You were given a Biblical answer using Jesus’s own words. Your disagreement is with Him.
And you presume to take what James was teaching as a way for fellow believers to discern the spiritual status of an one, and then apply it speciously to believe it supports working your way to eternal life. How quaint.
You were given a Biblical answer using Jesus’s own words. Your disagreement is with Him.
You were given a Biblical answer using Jesus’s own words. Your disagreement is with Him.
You were given a Biblical answer using Jesus’s own words. Your disagreement is with Him.
So now you’re saying that righteousness IS of works?
No, and it is obvious that you actually know what is being offered to you for your learning but you are choosing to argue with it so you can dismiss it and continue to wrok/strive for eternal life. Your works are as filthy rags ...
“So now you’re saying that righteousness IS of works?”
I’m not going to argue with you and parse words. The Bible clearly and explicitly wrestles with faith vs works in James 2, Galatians 2-3 (my favorite), the entire book of Romans, and so forth.
What do I have to do to get into heaven?
What is God’s will FOR ME?
Fine.
Our faith is demonstrated by our works.
It’s still the faith that saves.
What about the Ten Commandments?
What about the Beatitudes?
Is anyone’s thought life perfect?
No hatred? No lusting? Ever?
Sure, I know what what’s being offered. And I want none of it.
The OP author first cites a statement by Jesus telling us to “do the will of the Father”, and then from this statement advises us to do nothing but say unto Him “Lord, Lord”. This sort of advice soothes the conscience of the stubborn and stiff-necked, as it bars them from entering the kingdom.
Don’t you have a Bible?
We can’t do a THING to be allowed into the kingdom except throw ourselves on the mercy of God.
It’s ALL Christ and His righteousness credited to our account.
Jesus told us God’s will. Be ye perfect as your Father in heaven is perfect.
Not a one of us can attain that. Not even close.
THAT is why Christ had to die for us. . . .
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Christ did not have to die for us. He Chose to die for us because He loves us. He died for us because we are imperfect and only perfect beings can reside with God. To be less that perfect requires a punishment, the punishment is banishment from the face of God and death.
Christ was and is perfect. He did not deserve either death or banishment but He suffered both so that when we stand before the judgment seat of God and the books are opened and we are found to be sinners Christ can say, “yes, he is a sinner and I have already received his punishment, he/she stays with Me.
The attitude expressed here and in many replies strikes a discordant nerve with me. Since not one of us can attain perfection I guess we shouldn’t even try? We should all be whore mongers, thieves and murders? Even Jesus Christ Himself told the adulteress to go and sin no more. He didn’t tell her He forgave her, only not to sin anymore. We must ask for forgiveness. We don’t simply recognize Christ as Savior and expect the miracle of Grace to have effect in our lives.
Believing that you can receive the Grace of God without trying is a sure fire way to end up in Hell. Believing that you can receive the Grace of God without trying as hard as you can to be perfect is just as sure a way to end up in Hell.
No matter how hard you try you will not reach perfection, if you have sinned once you might as well have sinned a million times, but, if you have sinned and repented of the sin with sorrow in your heart and then tried to right the sin and beg Jesus Christ for forgiveness then I would expect that His Grace will be sufficient for you. If you can’t do this I suggest you move to the Sahara desert and start getting used to the heat.
That’s not an answer.
If works do it, list them specifically.
To just say *works* in the generic sense, means nothing.
There must be something you have in mind as to what those works are that earn God’s favor enough for Him to allow someone into heaven.
What are they?
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