What would be the harm of teachings Christians that righteousness expressed by deeds is the way to salvation, especially because it is the truth and both Jesus and James confirmed it?
2006-08-07 15:45:17 · 26 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I've always thought that you need both faith and works. That's the way it reads in the Bible, especialy in JAMES. I don't understand the Christians who say otherwise.
2006-08-07 16:09:27 · answer #1 · answered by Brigid O' Somebody 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I know what you mean. I didn't understand it either until I figured this out. It's all in the motive. If I believe that the only reason I even have a chance at salvation is because Jesus kept every single commandment, then was offered by God as an atonement for my sin, then I can't WAIT to serve Him through good works.
I am not a natural "do good works" kind of person. But I want to express my love to God for providing my way to salvation, so I do them. And then what happens? I get to feel the reward for having done something nice!
Isn't that just like our Heavenly Father God?
Always thinking of us....
2006-08-07 15:53:55 · answer #2 · answered by nancy jo 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I wouldn't say that faith in Jesus is salvation, I would say that many Christians' salvation is faith. Here's the difference.
Salvation, means what? The ability to come into your own, the ability to leave your carnal life in favor of a life with a higher purpose. The ability to connect with God.
Some Christians are already mature enough to have been "Saved" by other means. They are simply good, spiritual people.
Other Christians barly hang on to anything. The only thing that keeps them from living a life of crime, drugs etc.. is their faith in Jesus.
Catholics tend to belive that you are saved when you do Christian works. Protestents tend to belive that you are saved at the moment you accept Jesus as your lord.
Personally, I believe that to be a good Christian requires both faith and good works. It doesn't matter which comes first, as long as you eventually have both.
2006-08-07 16:01:17 · answer #3 · answered by Bernard B 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
We (Christians) believe that salvation is the gift of God and is received and experienced only through personal faith in Jesus Christ. We also believe that Jesus Christ is the one and all-sufficient Mediator between God and man; therefore, there is no other way to connect and maintain a relationship with the Lord. In an attempt to summarize, you have to go through something to get where you want/need to be...Jesus is the way.
God Bless ; )
2006-08-07 16:36:06 · answer #4 · answered by Lyttle_Starr 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Salvation is our gift form the Lord.. Jesus paid the price for all our sins.. It is through grace that we able to ask for forgiveness, and accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior..
Heaven is our home.. where our Father lives.. where we have a place waiting for us..
As we walk through this life - the only life we'll ever have - we can do good deeds, yes.. respect one another, show kindness, give love..
not to get anything in return, but to glorify God..
We go from point A to point B only by accepting Jesus as our Lord and Savior..
2006-08-07 15:56:36 · answer #5 · answered by sassy 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Many are called . . .
Few are chosen . . .
Rev 17:14
they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful.
KJV
"Faith" in Jesus isn't what "obtains salvation". The greek verb for "faith" means "faithfulness". It's not a passive "knowing" or "accepting", it's a continual doing that earns us the clean white robe that is the righteousness of the saints.
2006-08-07 16:03:19 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well pretty simple, Christians by default believe the Bible and Jesus' teachings in it, thus the label "Christian" and in the Bible, Jesus said He is the only way to Salvation and the Apostles agree. For us to believe otherwise is to denounce Christianity and become Unitarians or something. So maybe you can rephrase the question to be "Why don't Christians become Unitarians or something?
2006-08-07 15:54:17 · answer #7 · answered by impossble_dream 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Jesus is Jehovah tsidkenu The Lord are Righteousness, salvation has nothing to do with deeds ,why are you a bragger are something
2006-08-07 15:53:25 · answer #8 · answered by Terry S 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Lets start with some scripture that should give you a clear answerto both questions.
Salvation:
Romans 6:23 (English Standard Version)
For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord
Deeds:
Ephesians 2:8-9 (English Standard Version)
For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.
John 6:28-29 (English Standard Version)
Then they said to him, "What must we do, to be doing the works of God?" Jesus answered them, "This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent."
2006-08-08 13:16:08 · answer #9 · answered by Jay 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If salvation could be obtain through righteousness by our deeds then Jesus had died in vein.
2006-08-07 15:58:49 · answer #10 · answered by The Redeemed 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You need to get out of the cult and Join a True Christian church my friend.
Jesus is the only way to salvation. Ask any Pentecostal, Roman Catholic, Southern Baptist, Eastern Orthodox, Presbyterian, Assembly of God, Vineyard Church, Greek Orthodox, Russian Orthodox, Free Methodist, Mennonite, Nazarene, Christian Church member and they can tell you that any other gospel message is Heresy and in danger of their soul.
2006-08-07 15:57:28 · answer #11 · answered by Makemeaspark 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋