Results 1 - 2 of 2
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Results from: Answered Bible Questions, Answers, Unanswered Bible Questions, Notes Ordered by Verse | ||||||
Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
1 | Do our works keep us saved? | 1 Cor 12:13 | Hank | 120691 | ||
WalkingTalkingBible: __"Faith is an action word."__ "Faith" is the subject of your sentence; it is a noun. Nouns don't show action. Only specific verbs do that, the category of verbs that in English grammar are called active verbs. Furthermore, even though you have indicated that you have low regard for theology, your statement is not only syntactically ill-formed but it is theologically incorrect as well. Faith is a condition, a state of heart and mind, but it is not the same thing as action or "works." Faith may lead to action, it may produce works, but it is not the action itself. Good works may be the result of faith, they may reflect evidence of faith, but faith and works are not the same thing. In the book of James, upon which advocates of works-based salvation erroneously attempt to prove their bad theology, we find these words: "But someone may well say, 'You have faith and I have works; show me your faith without the works, and I will show you my faith by my works." (James 2:18). James makes the clear distinction between faith and works. He understood that they are not the same things. James never says that works save. Nor does he ever deny that faith saves. In 2:14, speaking of "that" faith (lip-service faith, faith so dead that it produces no change in one's life, no works), he asks "Can that faith save him?" In 2:17 he anwers his own question when he says "faith, if it has no works, is dead, being by itself." James was not talking about genuine, saving faith at all. He was talking about the kind of faith that even demons have: the belief that God is one (2:19). But mere intellectual belief that does not result in changed lives is useless (2:20). James' teaching therefore differs not in one iota from Paul's teaching in Ephesians (or anywhere else). According to Ephesians 2:8-10, salvation is made possible by God's grace through faith in Jesus Christ and not as a result of works. (2:8,9). Then Paul follows up this statement with "For we are his worksmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them." (2:10). Christians are commanded (not given an option) "to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called." (Ephesians 4:1) This is a clear clarion call to lead holy and godly lives (of which good works are an integral part). But nowhere in Scripture is there an example of any human being having been saved by his good works. Nor is there any example of anyone "losing his salvation" and being saved a second time. --Hank | ||||||
2 | Do our works keep us saved? | 1 Cor 12:13 | Mommapbs | 120700 | ||
Thank you Hank! I have seriously considered whether my participation here is of any benefit if I have "lost" my salvation due to sin of which I have not repentented . . . as I'm sure there are some hidden away in there! What freedom there is in Grace and yet what a blessed priviledge we have to be called the children of God. Why some choose NOT to live as such is beyond me, but I would never exclude them from eternity as some here would. As always you are eloquent and to the point. I thank God for you. Blessings, mommapbs |
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