Subject: What is the full meaning of Good Works |
Bible Note: Hank I think you may have over-simplified my question in that if we die on Tuesday will our eternity be different than if we died on Friday. Refocus the timeframe to years instead of days. If I accept Jesus when 20 years old, but by age fifty, I say "who knows if there is a God" and then act accordingly. But, nonetheless, you have been helpful to me in understanding the concept of Good Works and for that, I thank you. I would like to summarize where I am at and then we can both move on to other things. Some people make a blanket statement and say, yes I believe Jesus is my Savior. They mark the date on the calendar and then they move on.I do believe they are sincere. And no, I don't believe every Christian produces Good Works just because they are a Christian. Other people, in accepting Jesus as Savior, also seek a relationship with Jesus. And I believe that the value either person puts on Good Works, is based upon what type of relationship the person is seeking. A person seeking a more intimate relationship with Jesus will be more focused on using Jesus as a role model as to how a good Christian should live their life, and they will want to live like a Christian should - aka Good Works. If someone has truly achieved holiness with God, then their actions will reflect it. I don't know if Good Works is really needed for salvation, I think if you accept Jesus, then yes you get to go to heaven. You've met the minimum standard for getting in heaven. But I also believe that the true relationship which God seeks with us, is one of intimacy - a very close personal relationship - a oneness as Jesus prayed for in John 17:21. And I believe that God holds that relationship in higher esteem than the relationship of the person who met the minimum standard for getting into heaven. I believe that people like Moses, Abraham, the Apostles to name a few have reached that level of intimacy with God and we know how highly they are regarded by God. So, is Good Works needed - it depends on what you want. Minimum entry or intimacy with God. As I said before, I'm still learning so in six months or a year I may understand things a bit differently and hopefully more clearly. Thank you for your help. Learn |