when God's word is clear about that. Salvation is a "gift, not by works, lest any man should boast."
Does that mean that those who are trying to earn their Salvation will miss the boat entirely?
2007-10-22 06:36:32 · 22 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Love your question- I think some people think that they can do something to earn their salvation, because when we realize it is a gift, then we have to really admit that nothing of us is good apart from God. And for the one that answered- everyone will be judged for the good that he does- that means after salvation- there are 2 judgments- one for those who have totally rejected Christ as complete payment for sin, and the other for those of us who believe- then we will be judged for whatever good we did while on the earth, in His Name, and for His glory.
I know a lot of people believe that it is Jesus plus for salvation- It is not- it is by grace and faith alone in Christ and His payment for sin.
2007-10-22 06:43:14 · answer #1 · answered by AdoreHim 7 · 3⤊ 2⤋
Like who? I never met a Protestant who believed that. And the Catholic Church has always taught that salvation is "a free gift of God that cannot be earned or merited". So who are you talking about?? However, like any gift, salvation must be accepted in order to be received. The Bible, and the teaching of the Catholic Church on which the New Testament is based, both make it absolutely clear that the requirements for acceptance of the free gift of salvation are - faith and works of Christian charity. Faith does not earn salvation. Works do not earn salvation. But lack of faith or lack of works will forfeit salvation. Nothing could be clearer from Scripture.
2007-10-22 06:40:50 · answer #2 · answered by PaulCyp 7 · 5⤊ 2⤋
Because it is very difficult for people to accept the fact that they do not have a part. They want credit and something to feel good about as far as their accomplishments. They want to be able to say to God, look what I did. The flesh is so full of pride. Satan deceives people and blinds their minds to the truth of the Gospel. Unfortunately a lot of Christians do not understand that their faith to believe is a gift from God and they look down on unbelievers because they don't believe not realizing that the only reason we do believe is because of the gift. We have nothing to boast about. Jesus says no one can come to Him unless the Father draws them.
I am glad you posted this question because I want to know how much work is enough, when will people know they have done enough, how will they know they have done it right, how many doors do they have to knock on , how many people, how many prayers do they have to say, how many laws to keep and rituals to participate in?
2007-10-22 06:52:27 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Consider the illustration of salvation being a gift. The giver offers it to you. So you dip into your pocket, pull out a wad of notes and say, 'Gee! Thanks! How much can I give you for it?' No finer way of insulting the giver, uh?
The whole point of a gift is that you need to accept it AS A GIFT! Now, if and once you accept the gift as such, it is yours. The giver (God, in this illustration) will never take it back. It's not a conditional gift! You might feel such appreciation for the immense gift, and so unworthy of receiving it, that you try to show your appreciation to God by doing 'things' for him. That's fine. Just so long as you don't imagine you are earning this gift of salvation by so doing!
Pride is why we try to earn God's approval. Pride is the sin of Satan. We are all smitten with pride - great huge dollops of it. We cannot bear to face up to God's truthful judgment of us - that there is no-one good, no, not even one; that all our righteous acts are as filthy rags. Yet the miracle is that once we accept God's verdict, that we are worthy of death, he raises us up with the gift, to the highest heights, and we know we who were unlovely are loved and precious in his sight.
2007-10-22 09:08:20 · answer #4 · answered by Annsan_In_Him 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Salvation is free, but all Christan's have a job and that is to wittiness and glorify God.People who try to earn salvation,they are missing something but it is not the boat.
2007-10-22 06:47:42 · answer #5 · answered by preacher 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Our works give us rewards(crowns) in Heaven. John 14:6 Jesus says," I am the way, the truth, and the life: No man cometh unto the Father, but by me." The Lord only knows the true intent of our hearts and that is where salvation starts.
2007-10-22 06:43:11 · answer #6 · answered by rikirailrd 4 · 5⤊ 0⤋
The answer to this is that we all have grown up surrounded by market forces and material world so much so that some people take to salvation as a business deal which to my mind is very shallow indeed.
2007-10-22 06:49:12 · answer #7 · answered by mike hughes 52 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Some people cannot handle being answerable to a higher power. To them, they are the higher power, and they feel they MUST participate in their salvation by proving to God they are better than everyone else.
These are not humble people, and God will deal with them.
.
2007-10-22 06:46:52 · answer #8 · answered by Hogie 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You must ask yourself why God changed the "salvation program" from the OT to the NT. God said He does not change His mind. Why would He judge based upon deeds and goodness in the OT and then totally change in the NT and judge based upon "grace"?? Does this sound like the same god??
2007-10-22 06:48:36 · answer #9 · answered by Jonny 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Who tries to earn their salvation? Who are you referring to? Just curious.
2007-10-22 06:40:43 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋