Bible Study Are works important or not 3?

[Jim Parker]

A Few Works prescribed by Paul in Scripture 3
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Col 3:5 Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.

Col 3:8-9 But now you yourselves are to put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth. Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old man with his deeds,

Col 3:13-17 Therefore, as [the] elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also [must do].
But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. And whatever you do in word or deed, [do] all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.

Col 3:18-23 Wives, submit to your own husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.
Husbands, love your wives and do not be bitter toward them.
Children, obey your parents in all things, for this is well pleasing to the Lord.
Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged.
Bondservants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh, not with eye-service, as men-pleasers, but in sincerity of heart, fearing God.
And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men,

Col 4:1 Masters, give your bondservants what is just and fair,

Col 4:5-6 Walk in wisdom toward those [who are] outside, redeeming the time. [Let] your speech always [be] with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one.

1Th 4:3-5 For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you should abstain from sexual immorality; that each of you should know how to possess his own vessel in sanctification and honor, not in passion of lust, like the Gentiles who do not know God;

1 Th 5:6-8 Therefore let us not sleep, as others [do], but let us watch and be sober. For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk are drunk at night. But let us who are of the day be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and [as] a helmet the hope of salvation.

1Th 5:11 Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing.

1Th 5:15-22 See that no one renders evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue what is good both for yourselves and for all.
16 Rejoice always,
17 pray without ceasing,
18 in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
19 Do not quench the Spirit.
20 Do not despise prophecies.
21 Test all things; hold fast what is good.
22 Abstain from every form of evil.

2 Th 2:15 Therefore, brethren, stand fast and hold the traditions which you were taught, whether by word or our epistle.

1 Ti 2:1-2 Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, [and] giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence.

1 Ti 2:11-12 Let a woman learn in silence with all submission. And I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man, but to be in silence.

1 Ti 4:7 But reject profane and old wives' fables, and exercise yourself toward godliness.

1 Ti 4:16 Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you.

1 Ti 5:1-3 Do not rebuke an older man, but exhort [him] as a father, younger men as brothers, older women as mothers, younger women as sisters, with all purity. Honor widows who are really widows.

1 Ti 5:8 But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.

1 Ti 5:19-20 Do not receive an accusation against an elder except from two or three witnesses. Those who are sinning rebuke in the presence of all, that the rest also may fear.

1 Ti 5:22 Do not lay hands on anyone hastily, nor share in other people's sins; keep yourself pure.

1 Ti 6:7-14 … we brought nothing into [this] world, [and it is] certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content. But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and [into] many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is a root of all [kinds of] evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. But you, O man of God, flee these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness.
Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.
I urge you in the sight of God who gives life to all things, and [before] Christ Jesus who witnessed the good confession before Pontius Pilate, that you keep [this] commandment without spot, blameless until our Lord Jesus Christ's appearing,

1 Ti 6:17-19 Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy.
[Let them] do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share, storing up for themselves a good foundation for the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.

2 Ti 1:6 …. I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands.

2 Ti 1:13-14 Hold fast the pattern of sound words which you have heard from me, in faith and love which are in Christ Jesus. That good thing which was committed to you, keep by the Holy Spirit who dwells in us.

2 Ti 2:22 … the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.

2 Ti 2:11-13 [This is] a faithful saying: For if we died with [Him], We shall also live with [Him]. If we endure, We shall also reign with [Him]. If we deny [Him], He also will deny us. If we are faithless, He remains faithful; He cannot deny Himself.

2 Ti 2:15-16 Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. But shun profane [and] idle babblings, for they will increase to more ungodliness.

2Ti 2:22-23 Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. But avoid foolish and ignorant disputes, knowing that they generate strife.

2 Ti 2:24-26 And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient, in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth, and [that] they may come to their senses [and escape] the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him to [do] his will.

Tts 3:9-10 … avoid foolish disputes, genealogies, contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and useless. Reject a divisive man after the first and second admonition,

 

[Pegasus]

Tts 3:9-10 … avoid foolish disputes, genealogies, contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and useless. Reject a divisive man after the first and second admonition,

Now we just need an antinomian to take your challenge.

Can't wait...

 

[civilwarbuff]

Yep, a 'few' works....might as well still be under the law......
This is my favorite works:
Rom 10:9 because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.
Rom 10:10 For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.
Rom 10:11 For the Scripture says, “Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.” ESV

 

[JohnDB]

Works, while not required to be saved, are most definitely a natural reaction of those who have the "Spirit of Christ" within them.

Romans 8 talks extensively about this.

It's kinda like "pregnant"...you either are or aren't...no in between grey area.

 

[Jim Parker]

Yep, a 'few' works....might as well still be under the law......

If we say that Jesus is our LORD then we are obliged to do what He commanded.
It has nothing to do with the law of Moses.
It has to do with obeying God and acting like we actually believe in Jesus and trying to be like Him. (Being like Jesus is what we were created to be.)
If a believer has a problem with trying to obey the word of God then I have to wonder if the belief is real.

 

[civilwarbuff]

If we say that Jesus is our LORD then we are obliged to do what He commanded.

Here is where we differ......you say obliged meaning obligated to do good works because he commands it.
I say we desire to do good works not because He commands it but because of what He has done for us; to show our love and appreciation for his sacrifice and to demonstrate the same to others.

 

[Jim Parker]

Here is where we differ......you say obliged meaning obligated to do good works because he commands it.
I say we desire to do good works not because He commands it but because of what He has done for us; to show our love and appreciation for his sacrifice and to demonstrate the same to others.

Jesus said: “If you love Me, keep My commandments."Jhn 14:15
and
“He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him.” Jhn 14:21
and
“If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him."
Jhn 14:23

When the Lord of Lords and King of Kings, the Almighty God who created heaven and earth, the Holy One Who will judge all mankind by their works, gives me a command, I do my best to obey because of Who He is and because He will judge me by what I did or did not do. I will do it be cause He created men to do it and those who do not do His will end up in the lake of fire.

What God has done for mankind is a source of great joy which makes doing His will easier.

But, since he is my God, I do his will (to the best of my ability) because He said to do His will.

And since He is our God, we are, in fact, obligated to obey Him or suffer the consequences.(not pretty)

 

[civilwarbuff]

But, since he is my God, I do his will (to the best of my ability) because He said to do His will.

But, since He is my God, I do his will (to the best of my ability) because He loves me and I love Him.
I do His will, not because He commands me to do it but because I want to show my love of Him.
We get the same results but for different reasons......

 

[iLOVE]

For so long the Church has labored during many religious activity because they do not know how to live for God (Romans 8:2). So sin has taken away the love, the joy, the compassion, and all the things you first had as a Christian. You now wonder what's wrong with me, how come I can't get it! So you put on a mask and pretend, and go through the motions. Many Christians do not think that Faith and Grace is enough. (1 Cor. 1:23, Gal. 6:12)

 

[Jim Parker]

Many Christians do not think that Faith and Grace is enough. (1 Cor. 1:23, Gal. 6:12)

Many Christians presume upon God's grace and think that faith without works will save them.

 

[KevinK]

My interpretation is a distinction between salvation and reward. The Blood of the Savior gets you into Heaven; your works determine what and how much your actual reward is once you have an "admission ticket". So yes, I believe in different levels of heavenly reward...

__________​

"Behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to render to every man according to what he has done." -Revelation 22:12

"For the Son of Man is going to come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and will then repay every man according to his deeds." -Matthew 16:27

"Now he who plants and he who waters are one; but each will receive his own reward according to his own labor." -1 Corinthians 3:8

"Now this I say, he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully." -2 Corinthians 9:6

__________
​

That last one addresses the notion that faith without works is insufficient for salvation. I think that it will in fact be enough for salvation, but only that. You'll certainly be in Heaven, but your reward will be the minimal. Perhaps your mansion will be more like a condominium. Still better than the other place.

 

[Jim Parker]

A Few Works prescribed in scripture by people other than Paul 1
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Heb 3:12-13 Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God; but exhort one another daily, while it is called "Today," lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.

Heb 4:1 Therefore, since a promise remains of entering His rest, let us fear lest any of you seem to have come short of it.

Heb 4:11 Let us therefore be diligent to enter that rest, lest anyone fall according to the same example of disobedience.

Heb 4:14-16 Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast [our] confession. For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all [points] tempted as [we are, yet] without sin. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

Heb 6:11-12 And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope until the end, that you do not become sluggish, but imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.

Heb 10:19-25 Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, through the veil, that is, His flesh, and [having] a High Priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the confession of [our] hope without wavering, for He who promised [is] faithful. And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as [is] the manner of some, but exhorting [one another], and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.

Heb 10:35 Therefore do not cast away your confidence, which has great reward.

Heb 12:1-3 Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares [us], and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,

looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of [our] faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls.

Heb 12:12-16 Therefore strengthen the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees, and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be dislocated, but rather be healed. Pursue peace with all [people], and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord: looking carefully lest anyone fall short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this many become defiled; lest there [be] any fornicator or profane person like Esau, who for one morsel of food sold his birthright.

Heb 12:25-26 See that you do not refuse Him who speaks. For if they did not escape who refused Him who spoke on earth, much more [shall we not escape] if we turn away from Him who [speaks] from heaven, whose voice then shook the earth; but now He has promised, saying, "Yet once more I shake not only the earth, but also heaven.

Heb 12:28 Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us have grace, by which we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear.

Heb 13:1-5 Let brotherly love continue. Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so [doing] some have unwittingly entertained angels. Remember the prisoners as if chained with them--those who are mistreated--since you yourselves are in the body also. Marriage [is] honorable among all, and the bed undefiled; but fornicators and adulterers God will judge. [Let your] conduct [be] without covetousness; [be] content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you."

Heb 13:7 Remember those who rule over you, who have spoken the word of God to you, whose faith follow, considering the outcome of [their] conduct.

Heb 13:9a Do not be carried about with various and strange doctrines.

Heb 13:13-14 Therefore let us go forth to Him, outside the camp, bearing His reproach. For here we have no continuing city, but we seek the one to come.

Heb 13:15-18 Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of [our] lips, giving thanks to His name. But do not forget to do good and to share, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased. Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account. Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you. Pray for us; for we are confident that we have a good conscience, in all things desiring to live honorably.

Jam 1:2-4 My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have [its] perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.

Jam 1:5-6 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind.

Jam 1:9-10 Let the lowly brother glory in his exaltation, but the rich in his humiliation, because as a flower of the field he will pass away.

Jam 1:21 Therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.

Jam 1:22 But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.

Jam 2:9 … if you show partiality, you commit sin, and are convicted by the law as transgressors.

Jam 2:12 So speak and so do as those who will be judged by the law of liberty.

Jam 3:1 My brethren, let not many of you become teachers, knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgment.

Jam 4:8-11 Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse [your] hands, [you] sinners; and purify [your] hearts, [you] double-minded. Lament and mourn and weep! Let your laughter be turned to mourning and [your] joy to gloom. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up. Do not speak evil of one another, brethren. He who speaks evil of a brother and judges his brother, speaks evil of the law and judges the law. But if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law but a judge.

Jam 5:7-8 Therefore be patient, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. See [how] the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, waiting patiently for it until it receives the early and latter rain. You also be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand

Jam 5:9a Do not grumble against one another, brethren, lest you be condemned.

Jam 5:12 But above all, my brethren, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or with any other oath. But let your "Yes" be "Yes," and [your] "No," "No," lest you fall into judgment.

Jam 5:16a Confess [your] trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed.

1 Pe 1:13-16 … gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest [your] hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; as obedient children, not conforming yourselves to the former lusts, [as] in your ignorance; but as He who called you [is] holy, you also be holy in all [your] conduct, because it is written, "Be holy, for I am holy.”

 

[civilwarbuff]

Many Christians presume upon God's grace and think that faith without works will save them.

But there are many Christians that are taught that grace and faith are insufficient to save them (as if God cannot complete His task) without works as if there is anything that our puny efforts could do that could complete our salvation......

 

[Jim Parker]

A Few Works prescribed in scripture by people other than Paul 2
​

1 Pe 2:1-3 Therefore, laying aside all malice, all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and all evil speaking, as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby, if indeed you have tasted that the Lord [is] gracious.

1Pe 2:11 … as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul,

1Pe 2:13a … submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake,1 Pe 2:17 Honor all [people]. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king.

1 Pe 2:18 Servants, [be] submissive to [your] masters with all fear, not only to the good and gentle, but also to the harsh.

1 Pe 3:1-4 Wives, likewise, [be] submissive to your own husbands, that even if some do not obey the word, they, without a word, may be won by the conduct of their wives, when they observe your chaste conduct [accompanied] by fear. Do not let your adornment be [merely] outward--arranging the hair, wearing gold, or putting on [fine] apparel-- rather [let it be] the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible [beauty] of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God.

1 Pe 3:7 Husbands, likewise, dwell with [them] with understanding, giving honor to the wife, as to the weaker vessel, and as [being] heirs together of the grace of life, that your prayers may not be hindered.

1 Pe 3:8-11 Finally, all [of you be] of one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers, [be] tenderhearted, [be] courteous; not returning evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary blessing, knowing that you were called to this, that you may inherit a blessing.
For "He who would love life And see good days, Let him refrain his tongue from evil, And his lips from speaking deceit. Let him turn away from evil and do good; Let him seek peace and pursue it.

1 Pe 4:7 But the end of all things is at hand; therefore be serious and watchful in your prayers.

1 Pe 4:8-13 And above all things have fervent love for one another, for "love will cover a multitude of sins." [Be] hospitable to one another without grumbling. As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. If anyone speaks, [let him speak] as the oracles of God. If anyone ministers, [let him do it] as with the ability which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.
Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ's sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy.

1 Pe 4:15-16 … let none of you suffer as a murderer, a thief, an evildoer, or as a busybody in other people's matters. Yet if [anyone suffers] as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this matter.

1 Pe 4:19 … let those who suffer according to the will of God commit their souls [to Him] in doing good, as to a faithful Creator.

1 Pe 5:5-7 Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to [your] elders. Yes, all of [you] be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for "God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble." Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.

1 Pe 5:8-9 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world.

2 Pe 1:10-11 Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble; for so an entrance will be supplied to you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

2 Pe 3:14-15a Therefore, beloved, looking forward to these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, without spot and blameless; and consider [that] the longsuffering of our Lord [is] salvation-

1 Jo 2:15 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.

1 Jo 2:28 And now, little children, abide in Him, that when He appears, we may have confidence and not be ashamed before Him at His coming.

1 Jo 3:13 Do not marvel, my brethren, if the world hates you.

1 Jo 4:1-3a Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world. By this you know the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is of God, and every spirit that does not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is not of God.

1 Jo 4:11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.

1 Jo 5:21 Little children, keep yourselves from idols.

2 jo 1:8 Look to yourselves, that we do not lose those things we worked for, but [that] we may receive a full reward.

2 Jo 1:10-11 If anyone comes to you and does not bring this doctrine, do not receive him into your house nor greet him; for he who greets him shares in his evil deeds.

3 Jo 1:11 Beloved, do not imitate what is evil, but what is good. He who does good is of God, but he who does evil has not seen God.

Jud 1:20-23 But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. And on some have compassion, making a distinction; but others save with fear, pulling [them] out of the fire, hating even the garment defiled by the flesh.

 

[civilwarbuff]

From the Master Himself:
Joh 3:14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up,
Joh 3:15 that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.

That is pretty simple......

 

[Jim Parker]

My interpretation is a distinction between salvation and reward. The Blood of the Savior gets you into Heaven; your works determine what and how much your actual reward is once you have an "admission ticket". So I believe in different levels of heavenly reward.

That's nice.
Jesus words at Matthew 25:31-46 separate the resurrected mankind into two groups based on whether they showed mercy or not. Those that showed mercy inherited the kingdom. Those who did not show mercy were sent to hell.

The
levels of heavenly rewards" is based on one scripture which is not explicit as to what the rewards are. (1 Cor 3:12-15)

There are many scriptures which explicitly state that we will be saved or condemned according to our works.
(Mat 25:31-46; Jhn 3:36; 5:28-29; 8:51; Ro 6:2-10; 8:12-14; 2Cor 5:10; 1 Pet 1:17; 1 John 2:17; Rev 20:12-13; 22:12 - 14)
Some of the most animated and exhausting dancing I have ever seen is the one which I often see Christians do when trying to avoid letting those scriptures sink in.

That last one addresses the notion that faith without works is insufficient for salvation. I think that it will in fact be enough for salvation, but only that.

That opinion is in direct contradiction of scripture.
Jas 2:14 What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him?
The implied answer to that question is "NO."
Jas 2:17 Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.
Can dead faith yield eternal life? NO
Jas 2:24 You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only.
And, no, that does NOT mean "justified before men" because scripture makes clear that the justification of men is worthless. That's the kind of thing the Pharisees and scribes sought and Jesus called them hypocrites.

 

[JohnDB]

Faith causes works.

Simple to say...hard for most to understand.

But the old "chair analogy" is exactly perfect for describing this. Sitting in a device that doesn't "appear" to be able to hold your weight when you never have sat in a chair before is difficult for most.

People talk about a chair as if they have been using them their whole lives...and talk a great game about sitting in the thing...but just don't.

Luke 12 has a parable about a rich man who made a lot of money but instead of being rich towards God and trying to curry favor with Him he was selfish and chose to be lazy. He could have done more but chose not to. IOW people think of themselves firstly and God gets the leftover...and for a person of deep faith it simply doesn't work this way. We get more and we whine about trying to get rid of the excess because the world is full of greedy unfaithful uncaring people.

 

[Jim Parker]

But there are many Christians that are taught that grace and faith are insufficient to save them (as if God cannot complete His task) without works as if there is anything that our puny efforts could do that could complete our salvation......

What scripture teaches is that God saves us because God is gracious and merciful. (God doesn't have to save anyone.)
Scripture also teaches us that we are saved by having faith in God.
And scripture further teaches us that faith, if it is not combined with works, will not fulfill the necessity of having faith in order to be saved.
Many people complain that obeying Christ and the instructions of scripture as to how to live as a believer are, somehow, "legalism" and "salvation by works". That is 100% false. We were created to be like Christ. (God's image) Making excuses for why we really don't have to be like Christ is not going to impress the One who will Judge mankind by their works.

 

[KevinK]

That's nice.
Jesus words at Matthew 25:31-46 separate the resurrected mankind into two groups based on whether they showed mercy or not. Those that showed mercy inherited the kingdom. Those who did not show mercy were sent to hell.

The
levels of heavenly rewards" is based on one scripture which is not explicit as to what the rewards are. (1 Cor 3:12-15)

There are many scriptures which explicitly state that we will be saved or condemned according to our works.
(Mat 25:31-46; Jhn 3:36; 5:28-29; 8:51; Ro 6:2-10; 8:12-14; 2Cor 5:10; 1 Pet 1:17; 1 John 2:17; Rev 20:12-13; 22:12 - 14)
Some of the most animated and exhausting dancing I have ever seen is the one which I often see Christians do when trying to avoid letting those scriptures sink in.

So in a nutshell, you believe in works based salvation?

 

[iLOVE]

Many Christians presume upon God's grace and think that faith without works will save them.

Faith placed exclusively in Christ and His Finished Work, i.e., The Cross, i.e., The Blood of Jesus, will always produce proper works by the Holy Spirit. This is the only Faith God will recognize. Anything and everything that is not of the Spirit is "dead faith." Lifeless Faith is profitless (rotten fruit). James 2:14-18

The Way Of The Spirit
Focus: The Lord Jesus Christ (John 14:6)
Object Of Faith: The Cross of Christ (Romans 6:1-14)
Power Source: The Holy Spirit (Romans 8:1-2, 11)
Results: Victory (Romans 6:14)

Man's Way
Focus: Works.
Object Of Faith: Performance.
Power Source: Self.
Results: Defeat!

The only way to God is through Jesus Christ (John 14:6)...the only way to Jesus Christ is by the Means of the Cross (Luke 14:27). The only way to the Cross is a denial of self (Luke 9:23). If any person tries to come any other way, Jesus says, "they are a thief and a robber" (John 10:1).

1. Jesus Christ is the source of all blessings.
2. The Cross is the means by which all blessings are given.
3. The object of our faith must be Christ and the Cross.
4. That being done, the Holy Spirit will greatly help us.

Pastor Jimmy Swaggart