Non-Catholics believe that all we have to do is to hear His words and accept them and they are saved. However, Jesus said not only do we have to hear His words, but we have to DO WHAT HE TELLS US.
Jesus Christ in Matthew 7:21, had spoken to all of us, and He clearly stated that we have to do the will of the Father. Doing something requires effort, or work.
"Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven; but he who does the will of My Father in Heaven shall enter the kingdom of heaven." Matthew 7:21
"Why do you call me 'Lord, Lord,' and not do what I tell you? Every one who comes to me and hears my words and does them, I will show you what he is like: he is like a man building a house, who dug deep, and laid the foundation upon rock; and when a flood arose, the stream broke against that house, and could not shake it, because it had been well built. But he who hears and does not do them is like a man who built a house on the ground without a found
2007-06-25 04:11:44 · 20 answers · asked by Faustina 4 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
primoa1970: I didn't add anything. Jesus did. And that's good enough for me.
2007-06-25 05:55:09 · update #1
Exactly!! The Apostles did not sit in the upper room and only pray--they got out and did something. It goes all the way back to Abraham--it wasn't until he practically killed his son DOING what God asked before God stopped him and said "Now I KNOW you believe" It was in his "doing" that he became righteous. God, more than anybody knows talk is cheap.
All of the martyrs were killed DOING, are we to cheapen their lives by saying they were wasted because they didn't need to DO anything?
I don't think you'll make a dent in these hard hearted blind folks here. Jesus himself (we know this is funny huh) could be standing right in front of them and they would call him a liar defending their goofed up teachings
2007-06-25 04:39:47 · answer #1 · answered by Midge 7 · 5⤊ 3⤋
If you get 10 Christians in a room, you'll have 20 opinions! But to answer your question from a Calvinistic point of view, I would refer to James 2:17-20. Faith without works is dead, meaning there is a warning to fear for the individual because either his faith is still immature, or the Holy Spirit has not worked in him to both "will and do" of His good pleasure, YET. This is a calling to the Holy Priesthood of believers to help nurture and grow that faith, if it is indeed there.
In conclusion, if someone "falls" from their faith, they were simply never "saved" up to that point. Falling meaning they will not hear wise words of correction when they stray, as is the natural heart of man.
When you look at "Salvation" as it is currently understood, it would put a 14 year old prostitute back on the street and say, "go and sin no more, God loves you and you are forgiven". Redemption states that God works through means (this case, his people) to call this prostitute to repentance, take her and show her HOW to put her sin behind her through the Grace (strength) of God. No one can change themselves or others, but God is pleased to use His Church (the true body of believers) to fulfill that calling.
2007-06-25 04:23:31 · answer #2 · answered by douglong1025 1 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Not all Protestants are even "One Point Calvinist" which would insist before God concerning" Perseverence of the Saints"in Eternal Security no matter what evil the saved would do and become. Many Protestants ,like Methodists,Holiness and many Pentecostals,are "Arminian Reformed" and reject all of TULIP Calvinismincluding OSAS because it,in their view, destroys free will,human responsibility,Divine justness and moral accountability and motivation.
I don't think OSAS folk can possibly reconcile the above Bible teachings with OSAS,but they will certainly readOSAS into it somehow and quote verses that seem to give ammo-that's the way alot of folk use the Bible.
2007-06-25 06:32:04 · answer #3 · answered by James O 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Well, where I come from, In order to be saved all you need to know is that Jesus died on the cross and through His shed blood I you are saved.
As a result of this gift of salvation, I should do what the Lord has commanded in the Word. However, He also knows that I am still sinful and cannot, on my own, do anything perfectly (at least this side of Heaven). I know that I need to follow God's law to the best of my human possibility.
2007-06-25 04:29:29 · answer #4 · answered by Debra d 3 · 0⤊ 3⤋
What makes you think that Protestants do not do His will?
Is it just because they are not Catholic?
That is your belief then, but you would be wrong.
I've been there... I know.
Primoa, Becky and Janet are right.
Works follow faith, the results of our love for God and others.
Read 1 Cor 13 again... these are our "works".
They will know we are Christians by our love.
Is this question about love and understanding, or division?
Without love, we are nothing.
How about putting down the stones people...
Hey Doug...
Seems to me Jesus did tell a certain prostitute to simply go and sin no more.
Qwerp.. you hit the nail on the head... kudos
2007-06-25 06:08:46 · answer #5 · answered by Bill Mac 7 · 2⤊ 2⤋
Paul also said that nothing can take someone from the hand of God. If you are saved then you are in God's hands. Satan himself can't take you away.
If you are truly saved and have turned to Christ, you will want to do works because you enjoy it. Not because you have to. We are saved by faith alone, no man could do enough good to get into Heaven.
What works did the thief on the cross do?
2007-06-25 04:24:58 · answer #6 · answered by Boomrat 6 · 4⤊ 2⤋
You seem to be tying together 2 separate issues. Salvation is assured through faith in Jesus Christ. Admitting that He is the only Son of God and that He died on the cross for forgiveness of our sins.
The other issue is the faith vs. works - while you cannot get to heaven based on what you do on earth, you do receive "rewards" in heaven based on your earthly behavior. So while you don't need to do anymore than believe, you won't receive all of God's blessing if you don't show His love to His people
2007-06-25 04:27:27 · answer #7 · answered by Janet MS 2 · 3⤊ 2⤋
You might also add how Judas WAS an Apostle and then through his actions lost his place - or perhaps I should say, because he did not repent of his actions. Peter, who denied Christ - did repent. It was through their actions, and nor just because they believed once- that they were judged.
Peace+
2007-06-25 05:42:32 · answer #8 · answered by Daniel F 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
It could be that those "who call me Lord, Lord" had not reached the "once saved" status.
Your assumption that all Protestants have a "once saved, always saved" doctrine is incorrect.
.
2007-06-25 04:23:08 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋
You're adding works to salvation.....and that's a no no.
Ephesians 2:8-9 says that we have been saved by grace through faith....and not by works
Once saved always saved is the truth.......a person who is truly saved CANNOT lose their salvation.
If it was ours to lose then the gift wouldn't be perfect and complete (Read John 10:27-30)
2007-06-25 04:17:04 · answer #10 · answered by primoa1970 7 · 3⤊ 4⤋