Subject: Do Jesus and Paul agree on salv by faith |
Bible Note: Emmaus, thanks for you response. We seem to differ on what it means to be justified before God. Please consider John John 5:21 "For just as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, even so the Son also gives life to whom He wishes. John 5:22 "For not even the Father judges anyone, but He has given all judgment to the Son, John 5:23 so that all will honor the Son even as they honor the Father. He who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent Him. John 5:24 "Truly, truly, I say to you, he who hears My word, and believes Him who sent Me, has eternal life, and does not come into judgment, but has passed out of death into life. John 5:25 "Truly, truly, I say to you, an hour is coming and now is, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live. In vs 24 it is clear, those who know the Son(received/believed in Who He is, and what He did on the Cross for all their personal sins) Will have eternal life, will not face the judgement of condemnation, have passed from death to life) In short justification is being declared NOT GUILTY before the Holy and Righteous God, Who alone saves. Heb 10:14 "For by one offering He has perfected for all time those who are sanctified." You mention that faith is the begining of salvation. In one sense this is true but from the legal sense, we are declared not quilty at the moment of faith. Abraham believed God and it was accounted to him for righteousness. Now, works will follow. Why? They are the outpouring of true saving faith, but do not save or merit your salvation. So we are justified once and for all by the finished work of Christ on the Cross and then we are also sanctified(set apart for His service) and then glorified by Him. See Romans 8, Galatians. You asked for examples of Catholic "works" that are required. There are plenty, alms, penance, come to mind. I do have a great audio/video that documents all this and as soon as I get it back from a friend, I can give you more exact and plenary examples. Again, thanks for you response. I would add that the glorious good news of the Gospel that declares us not quilty and forever forgiven is what gives us the joy to serve Him out of gratitude for what He has done for us. In Christ, brad. |