To do good works or saved by the blood of Christ?

Question

Paul was the author of "Grace" myth when he said in Romans 3:28 "Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.". But as far as Jesus, he said in JOHN 14:15 " If you love me, keep my commandments."Which one do you liston to, Jesus or Paul? I liston to Jesus and you?

Answer 1

Very interesting question. Paul was certainly adverse to the belief that works could merit salvation. However, Paul did say that works are the manifestation of faith. One shouldn't pursue works in an effort to be saved.

However, the larger point that you raise is this: How important are beliefs? Is it what we believe that saves us or is it the life that we live. Certainly, James and Matthew would adhere to the latter while Paul and John (for the most part) would advocate for the former. And if works are the maifestation of faith in God, then could these works effect salvation for those who are outside the bounds of the Christian church? The parable of the sheep and the goats would certainly point to the possibility of this, while other passages, such as in John (there is no other way to the Father but through me) would indicate that this is not a possibility. Salvation theorists continue to pursue the answer and they continue to be divided. Also, I think it is important to keep in mind that the Pauline works were written long before the gospels were composed. This isn't to say that Paul is the most accurate, but still, it is worth keeping in mind. Good question.

**Also, just for future reference, it is spelled listen - not liston. Just trying to be helpful there. Take care.

Answer 2

You err not knowing the Scriptures. Paul wrote these two passages as well.

Ephesians 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

Romans 6:1 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? 2 God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein? 3 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? 4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.

Paul was preaching against the Jewish tradition that we could be justified by works, not saying that we didn't need to follow the commands of Jesus. In other words he was saying that Jesus' finished work on the cross was sufficient for salvation but that now that we have been saved we should obey God out of duty and gratitude and from the heart instead of out of fear that we would go to hell. No where can you find a passage where Paul ever tells anyone not to obey God.

Answer 3

The following was also written by Paul and explains that it is a combination of the two. Faith which justifies leads to good works.

Ephesians 2
8For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9not by works, so that no one can boast. 10For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

James expanded on this. He explained that a man's faith can only be justified by the works he does.

If you do not do the work of the Lord, how can you have faith in the Lord? The answer is you can't. James understood this and was referring specifically to Romans and other secular people of the time that would confess Jesus' name to Christians but remain true to their cultural beliefs at home. Anyone can claim to be Christian but that doesn't mean they have saving faith.

James 2
14What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him? 15Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. 16If one of you says to him, "Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed," but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? 17In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. 18But someone will say, "You have faith; I have deeds." Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do.

19You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder.

Answer 4

I listen to both, as it is two different subjects.

"Show me the man who has faith and no good works, and I shall show you my faith by my good works".

Here it is, so you can understand it plainly. We are saved by the grace of God, the Lord Jesus Christ, through the work of the cross.

That's what saves us.

Works are not what saves us. Works are not what we do to earn salvation. Works are debts of gratitude.

We've only got so much time in this world, with all the horrible suffering going on. I can't even begin to tell you the things....

There is no point in treating anyone badly, and if you can help somebody...do it. Jesus commandment was simple: Love the Lord God with all your heart mind body soul and strength and love your neighbor as you love yourself.

I like what C.S. Lewis said: It is only after you've truly learned to love your neighbor as yourself that you can be free to love yourself.

The devil wants to draw in everything to him. God seeks to grow. Outwards and into the world. Imagine if you were given a large amount of money to eat with. Some people may use that money to buy food, and eventually starve. Some people might ration it out and manage to live as long as they could with it. Others might use that money to invest in something that could provide them with money to always have food and then they would be in a position to help someone else.

Answer 5

We cannot perform good works to gain our salvations which is a gift from God through the redemption and blood of His son, Jesus...Which is exactly the point Paul was making....But once we are saved it is required of us to do good works...Perhaps you should finsih reading the whole chapter instead of pulling one verse out of it.....then move onto Ephesians (which was also written by the apostle Paul ) chapter 2 and read verses 8 - 10.....then on to I Corinthinansto see a list of jobs we are supposed to be doing) God gave all of us a gifts to impart .....different talents to those around us and as a part of the whole body of the church... some of us teachers, some of us preachers, some prophets (see I Corinthians chapter 12 (also another book of the apostle Paul)....but all together we make up the body of the church....because God has a plan for each of us....God does not desire one soul to be lost...we are responsible for speading God's Wonderful News...to a lost and seeking world... BUT THAT IS AFTER SALVATION ONLY.....Paul just finished expanding on the teaching of Christ.... He did not try to change them....as you are trying to imply...Paul was a wonderful teacher and was put to death for his belief in Jesus...Perhaps you should read all of His books of the Bible including Acts where Chist came to him on the Damacus Road...and no Christian follows the teacher ....we follow our Savior Christ Jesus...who lay His life down for our sins so we could have eternal life...I have never read anywhere in the Bible where Paul could give us eternal life....or claimed to be able to do such..And exactly what u are saying is that you manage to keep all of Jesus commandments? Wow!...I'm impressed since you are the first perfection to enter this world since Jesus came... none of us will gain perfection until we are in our glorified bodies which we do not get until after this earthly body dies...The blood of Christ does not just cleanse us at salvation...It continues until Christ calls us home and even Christ recognized us as mere weak humans...If we were all perfect as you claim to be....then I am afraid Christ died for nothing...Our weak human sins was what put Him on that cross and the inability to save our selves or keep the whole law...

Answer 6

Beloved sister of faith, May grace and peace reign supreme in your heart.
The two passages are not even related. Paul is speaking of justification. He says nothing against the Law. Jesus is speaking of expressing our love for Him. He says nothing about justification. They are distinct.

Answer 7

If salvation was based on "good works" and not by "grace," then a very charitable atheist could gain entry into heaven.

Answer 8

Do good works; and do them for their own sake - not because you expect a reward. There's nothing to be "saved" from.

To put it another way, if Pat Robertson goes to "heaven" and Gandhi doesn't; would any decent person really choose "heaven?"

Answer 9

I don't take things out of context. The letter kills, the Spirit gives life.

Answer 10

Isaish 64:6....no matter how righteous we are, were nothing but filthy rags.