Subject: Entering Heaven |
Bible Note: You wrote: "SAVING FAITH IS FAITH AND ACTION TOGETHER NOTHING LESS." Then why does the Bible say that Abraham BELIEVED God, and it was credited to him as righteousness (Genesis 15:6; Romans 4:3; Galatians 3:6)? Yes, Abraham's belief/faith led to obedience, but he was justified by faith before obeying. Faith and obedience go hand-in-hand, but they are not the same thing. We are saved as an act of God's mercy. Our salvation is not earned by us (Ephesians 2:8). At the same time, as you have correctly pointed out, the saving faith that God does work in His people leads to obedience. That, too, is an act of God's grace. "For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men, instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus, who gave Himself for us to redeem us from every lawless deed, and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds." --Titus 2:11-14 --Joe! |