Do you realize that saying you believe in Christ and accepting Him as your personal Savior is actually a work? If we were saved completely by grace then all would be saved without ever doing or believing anything right?
2007-11-07 00:57:54 · 13 answers · asked by plastik punk -Bottom Contributor 6 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Anthony B, holding our your hands actually takes effort. Are you seriously missing that?
2007-11-07 01:04:03 · update #1
idunnit, I think I would understand far better than you realize.
2007-11-07 01:12:38 · update #2
Being saved by faith has never been easy. And yes it is alot of work. I spend every day of my life working hard against the sinful nature that I was born with. That doesn't mean I am save because of my works, because I still fail. It means that God is merciful when I screw up. Withoug accepting the gift of eternal life you are refusing that grace.
Which is harder to accept, that everything in this complicated and diverse world happened by accident, or that an incredibly intelligent being created it? I find it much easier to accept that there is a plan, even if I don't know what it is.
2007-11-07 01:11:35 · answer #1 · answered by Computerdude 1 · 2⤊ 0⤋
You are correct. James 2:19, even the demon's believe. What are we saved by then, we are saved when we accept the gift that Jesus gave. That requires action. We are saved by grace in that Jesus offered us a gift without us doing anything. Even baptism is not our works but Gods, Colossians 2:12. But our faith is perfected in our works and that is what saves us, James 2. Without works, we just have empty belief.
Anthony, no where in scripture does it say that we are saved by faith alone. In fact the only time that the phrase "faith alone" appears is in James 2. Not only this, but your argument backfires against you. Baptism one can argue is just like holding out your hands to accept the gift. Being faithful and obeying could also be viewed as such because we do so little for such a big gift.
Philo, we believe because we are saved? Does God then pick who are saved and who are not before they believe? Then is belief not required for salvation? Then what about those who are not saved? Does that mean that God did not choose to save them? That doesn't fit with 2 Peter 3:9. Notice it is us who are coming to repentance in this verse. Grace (God's gift) is given before we believe, but we need to accept that gift before we are saved.
2007-11-07 01:07:26 · answer #2 · answered by mlcros 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I think people think that "works" are things like going out and helping others all the time, or praying in public, or things that "show" other people are are of Christ.
To me, it's more subtle then that. It's what we do in private that counts more then what we show to others. Yes, doing things for others is another way to show God that we belong to Him, but what we do when people aren't looking is more important. If you pray, you are doing works. If you help someone across the street, you are doing works. If you are baptized, you are doing works. Going to church, yup.. that's works too!!! Believing in Christ, that's works too!! It requires action on our part.
Also, to accept that gift of grace, we have to show Christ we are willing to accept it. That means repenting of our sins. Not just once, but continually. That is how we show Christ we are willing to accept His sacrifice. Saying you are saved is great, but just because you say it, doesn't mean it sticks. God expects us to do something.
2007-11-07 03:24:57 · answer #3 · answered by odd duck 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Jesus set a good example, of how we should make an effort to do good, and contribute tho this world. God is not concerned about, how you believe in him, as much as, what have you contributed, to make this world a better place. The moral climate of this world is important, and nonbelievers in God will ask why are believers not doing more, to help deal with the real issues that count morally. Actions speak loudly.
2007-11-07 01:15:52 · answer #4 · answered by astrogoodwin 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Faith is a gift but you can ask for it.
Faith with out works is dead
How could you get some thing you do not believe in?
God gives us the choice. I think you know the A to this Q.
2007-11-07 01:29:11 · answer #5 · answered by jenny 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Faith alone does not save anyone. Even Jesus performed works
"Jesus answered them, I told you, and ye believed not: the works that I do in my Father's name, they bear witness of me."John 10:25
Are we not to do our best imitate the greatest man who ever lived? Yes, we are.
What else does the Bible say about doing works?
1 Timothy 6:18---"That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate"
Titus 3:8---"This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men"
James 2:14---"What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?"
James 2:17---Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone."
James 2:20---"But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?"
James 2:24--"Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only."
"Revelation 2:19---"I know thy works, and charity, and service, and faith, and thy patience, and thy works; and the last to be more than the first." (Yes--Jesus knows the works we do and our good works are never forgotten)
Revelation 20:12---"And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works." ( Our works while we are alive ---do matter) They will determine whether we lose or gain the right to live forever.
LOBT
2007-11-07 01:39:48 · answer #6 · answered by Micah 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Wrong. You are saved by Jesus's faith. Repentance and belief is not a work because if I give you a present for Christmas is holding out your hands and receiving the gift a work on your part? No. You are the recipient, but you have to hold your hands out to receive. Our faith in Christ is not a work.
No it isn't. The Bible says you are saved by grace(unmerited favor) through faith(belief). There is no work involved there. Once you believe you are saved. Works are trying to earn your salvation and keep it. Which we could never do either.
2007-11-07 01:02:48 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 3⤋
We aren't saved because we believe. Rather, we believe because we are saved. As Jesus put it, "All that the Father gives me will come to me" (John 6:37). So even our coming to Jesus for salvation is by the grace of God.
2007-11-07 01:07:42 · answer #8 · answered by Jonathan 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'd have to agree with that statement. I mean, in the past I've tried to believe in God and it takes a lot of work to build up that much trust and hope and make it into a faith and then you have to maintain it.. That is where I always fail.
2007-11-07 01:01:59 · answer #9 · answered by Green 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
1) James 2:19
2) Rope
2007-11-07 02:08:12 · answer #10 · answered by Yoda's Duck 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋