I think people missed the point of my last question, so I will restate it.?

Question

It is assumed that you can "accept" Jesus into your heart, and that by doing thing you invoke a thing refered to universally as grace. I contest this, I say it is the works themselves that show your adherence to what Christ taught, and through this you show your acceptance of his teachings. The grace is in the works, that is how you demonstrate your understanding of Christ's sacrifice. Or are you telling me that Jesus accepts lip-service?

Answer 1

You have 2 choices.
1. Accept Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior
2. Die a firey painful death and burn in hell forever

You choose.

Answer 2

To Patrick S: You REALLY need to see the movie 'Minority Report'. "You know your own future, so you can change if you want to". It's as simple as that. The fundamentals behind predestination rule it out completely. Let's say you believe in predestination and believe that you are not chosen to be saved. Then you will live your life thinking it is pointless since you weren't 'pre-chosen' to go on to heaven. But that's just it. The ideals of predestination want you to believe that if you are not saved now, you never will be.

But you can choose your own path. Whatever is written in what we call "The Book of Life" is solely determined by you, not God. Nobody is predestined because everyone has control of one's own destiny. God simply writes the names into the book, he doesn't choose them. He leaves the choice up to us. It's called free will.

Jesus doesn't accept lip-service. You can say one thing and in your heart feel totally opposite. Accepting Jesus into your heart truly is just that. No amount of words can mean anything if your heart means differently.

In turn, the works that one performs can show an adherence to Christ's teachings and through this you can show acceptance of his teachings. After all, actions speak louder than words. But in a sense, you are only saved through accepting Jesus Christ. He is the one and only way. I understand what circumstances can lead up to your following of him, so in a way, you are correct. And in your grace, you do demonstrate your understanding of Christ's sacrifice. You wouldn't be saved if all you did was say something. Good works can lead to grace.

In the same manner, grace can lead to good works. I believe in that fundamental, which proves that those who are saved generally lead better lives. We tend to do things that follow Christ's teachings. It matters not what your religion is, because the morals that society deems good were performed and exemplified by Christ. So doing these 'good' works is good for everyone, and for yourself.

But an atheist can follow Christ's teachings without following Christ. Many non-religious people are some of society's best caregivers. So by grace you are saved, not by good works. But I see a connection to good works now, so I thank you for posting this intuitive question.

Answer 3

The Bible says that you cannot get to Jesus through works.
I think the real dilemma is that if you truly accept Jesus as your savior then you yourself change, the Born Again is exactly that, you are a new being. you are not the same and therefore behave differently, not because you have to but because you cannot stand the sinfull behavior. It bothers me to no end when I knowingly sin, I feel guilty for days on end and do not feel free till I ask for forgiveness. that is completely different then doing things to please God like he is taking notes or doing something because you are required to. it is like going through the motions but not really meaning it, you have to mean it in your heart.
No Jesus does not accept lip service because he knows what is in your heart.
Grace is that, accepting what you do not deserve and knowing that only Grace can do that. You can work your whole life but if it is not for God and in your heart then it is for not.
God Bless

Answer 4

One receives No (0) grace through works. If a person does good works it "can" mean the person is saved, but not necessarily. Some denominations do erroneously teach that a person receives grace from God by their works-this is heresy.
A person who is truly repentant and believes in the redemptive work of Jesus then they receive the grace to be saved, Many who are then saved will do good works signifying a work of grace has been done in their heart. Some people are saved and never do good works.
The Bible says:

8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God-- 9 not by works, so that no one can boast.
Eph 2:8-9 (NIV)

Verse 9 says that works does not do it.

Answer 5

Nope -

basically, if you accept Jesus is God's Son, is part of God Himself, and is capable of saving you... then even if you murder after that, you are still in grace.

The trick is - having been through the 'gate' if you are growin in your understanding and relationship with God, your actions will become better and you will be drawn naturally towards good works.

BUT

Works do not equal Grace, nor Salvation.

If you think about it - Jesus casting out the moneychangers is not what anyone would usually concider good works. Or a more modern example, Martin Luther King protesting against segregation was seen as him just being a stirrer and many thought was going contrary to what is good works.

Jesus does not accept lip-service, but He also isn't into people running about doing good in their own sight.

Read Ephesians... its a great book!

Answer 6

good point... most of what you said is why we cannot judge others. who is to say that someone truly accepted Jesus' gift? But, since I am a Calvinist, it is tricky to say that someone chose anything. He only accepts those who He fore knew...

I believe that we were chosen (predestined) to be who we are. Not to say that Christ did not die for all people- He did. It's just... Christians are members of a family. You are born into this family, whether you knew it or not. The only thing that happens is the Holy Spirit comes to you and reveals to you that you are a member of the family. That's the faith (acceptance). True, that many will say that they are redeemed, but they may not be. And if you would try to abuse the grace that you are given, would you really be saved in the first place?

Answer 7

Sinyckel, you are so right on....in Mathew 16:27 the scripture reads that Christ will come in the glory of his Father with his angels and that every man will be rewarded according to his works.

The church bases this free for all, lip service doctrine on Paul's words, it's not by works, lest we should boast. (Ephesians 2:9)

Answer 8

You are of Jame's teaching he was of the circumcision.
Works, this is what the early Jews were all about. It was taught by the pharisees and adhered to, Jesus came to change all that.
Grace and faith.
Faith is a work in itself.
Your heart is your spirit, not the pump in your chest.
This is done given that you believe that you have any thing to do with it.
The called are the called.

Answer 9

Jesus himself says that faith without works is a dead faith. So your right, what is talked about as works being bad is works of law where one eats certain foods or doesn't talk to strangers, but every christian knows and seeks to do works of love. Thats why christianity is always under attack, it is not the worlds way to care about others. Why there is even a religion that damns you if you help others. But you do have it right and when you run into people who give lip service only, your totally free to tell them their as plastic as their Idol on their dashboard.

Answer 10

It is by HIS grace that you can be saved.
you do not have to demonstrate or carry a sign or shout and scream. It is what is in your heart and mind, but with out his grace it would be meaningless.

To whom ever will. just open your heart and mind and except jesus as your own personal saviour from this world.
This can be done anywhere, it is your experence, and is very private.

Answer 11

LOL SWEETIE lip service is only the first part after saying this you must now act it out in you everyday living and trying your hardest to learn of his love and what he has plan for you ya know! Now don't get it twisted as many do accepting christ is only the first part plz remember that. This CHRISTIAN walk was not designed to be easy it comes with a struggle for righteousness, you have to be obiedient fareal. If you need more on this subject hit me up on the email.