If we obey any commandment from the Bible, including "believe or repent or trust", etc., isn't that work?

Question

We know from Galatians 2:16, "Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified." So if we obey any command from the Bible--it is work. Praying and calling on the name of the Lord is also work!

And we CANNOT be justified (saved) by our works! I'm including several other verses in support so that some will not think that this is erroneous. (Galatians 3:2, 10; Romans 3:27; 9:32

Let me also address the theme of "faith." The Bible clearly shows us that FAITH is also a WORK:

"Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father;" (1 Thessalonians 1:3; 2 Thessalonians 1:11).

Do you see the light?

Answer 1

Catholics believe that we are justified by our works. I am not a Catholic, but I do believe we are known by the words we write and speak and the things we do for others. If that is works, so be it. A Christian that does not put their faith into action (not preaching to people who do not care to hear it, not judging...those are not works) does a disservice to God.

The Skeptical Christian
Grace and Peace
Peg

Answer 2

Not following you either there, but faith is an action, by 'faith' he was healed etc. Works will never get you into heaven, there are ppl walking around the earth doing good works with dead hearts and no faith. Faith is the only way you will succeed in the Lord, nothing else can change that.

Answer 3

Fixing your definition of works to include faith--sounds like you are more worried about being right than finding the truth. Good luck on both.

Besides, there is no place where the Bible says you don't have to work. It just says that works without faith are dead.

Answer 4

If by "light" you mean that the INITIAL act of faith that God recognizes when saving us is a type of "work," then no.

Romans 4

1 What then shall we say that Abraham our father has found according to the flesh? 2 For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God. 3 For what does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.” 4 Now to him who works, the wages are not counted as grace but as debt.
>>>>>5 But to him WHO DOES NOT WORK but believes on Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is accounted for righteousness,<<<<< 6 just as David also describes the blessedness of the man to whom God imputes righteousness apart from works:
7 “ Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven,
And whose sins are covered;
8 Blessed is the man to whom the LORD shall not impute sin.”

(Arrows and emphasis on verse 5 are mine.)

Answer 5

Yes! I see the light! I was taught what you are talking about by Dr. Gene Scott. There is so much to go into, but you are getting it.

The only works that have eternal implications that are positive are those works that are brought on by the Holy Spirit. That's all. no other works.

So many Christians attempt to provide works on their own terms, especially those who are braggadocious about it. It's as Abraham tried to fulfill God's word by taking Hagar as a concubine. It simply wasn't what God had in mind. What they did was create a mess with the birth of Ishmael.

Isaac was the child of promise, and God didn't need any help by the likes of Abraham, Sarah, and Hagar.

So it is true for us! We can say, "Glory to God" because He's the one who brings us to good works by His Spirit who teaches us things as we trust Him.

I would like to invite you to discuss this and anything else you'd like to talk about on factoropinion.net

I am known as KingReef there. I would so love to have a like-minded Christian there.

I hope to see you there. ( :

Answer 6

you are suggesting that faith is work, and then you suggest our works cannot save us, so are you suggesting we do not have faith or pray etc since they are all work?

my goodness, please do not interpret the doctrine like this and take it to be correct! there're churches that have interpreted doctrines wrongly and i really dont think that's how we should be, reading selectively to suit our needs. thats not what a christian should be doing.

1) Our works does not save us, but by faith we are saved. However, "faith without works is dead", as in the book of James in the Bible.

James 2

14 What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him?

15 If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, 16 and one of you says to them, “Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,” but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit?

17 Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.

18 But someone will say, “You have faith, and I have works.” Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works.

notice that save in verse 14 means physical things, as is followed in the next verse.

2) Faith requires work too. While we are not supposed to be thinking our works will save us, we also cannot think that faith without works is perfectly all right. Balance is the key.

Just like in Ecclesiastes 7:16-18,

16 Do not be overly righteous, nor be overly wise: why should you destroy yourself?

17 Do not be overly wicked, nor be foolish: why should you die before your time?

18 It is good that you grasp this, and also not remove your hand from the other; for he who fears God will escape them all.

Answer 7

Faith without works is dead. That means if you don't show evidence of your faith, you're fooling yourself. But works don't save you. They serve the same purpose as a gas gage. It doesn't fuel the engine, but it DOES let you know you have 'go juice'.

Answer 8

IS this your job? I definately consider referring to the Bible and/or Gospels for every little thing work. Jesus Christ, man, (<--lol) SIN a little!!

Answer 9

work doesnt get you to heaven it is faith and faith alone.. so dont get yer question..