Why do people condemn those who believe in works? If someone has accepted Christ as their Saviour but also believes in works, does it really matter? They have already accepted the atonement. What is your biblical basis for saying that works are unacceptable? How does it matter one way or the other?
2007-11-27 03:51:23 · 20 answers · asked by gumby 7 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I wonder what some people consider works. I might ask that question just to find out.... since no one has really stated what to them works is.
I personally think that the atonement is given to everyone- if they are willing to accept it and live by the precepts set up by God and Christ. That means repentance, not just saying you are saved. You can say all you want that you are saved, but as Christ said in Matt 7:21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Do you see the word DOETH? That implies we have to do something. And what does it say we have to do? The will of the Father... hmm... would that constitute works for some?
You are right. It shouldn't matter that some people believe that works are PART of the salvation process. If they believe that all you need is to believe in Christ, then what do they loose if we believe something different? It doesn't effect what they believe in being saved, so it shouldn't matter.
2007-11-27 05:29:30 · answer #1 · answered by odd duck 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If works is not important, and only faith is needed, why is the Bible brim full with scriptural passages indicting the importance of works?
There are many examples as cited by previous answerers, but an important one comes from Christ himself. he said
" For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works. " Matthew 16: 27
Sounds like works is a little bit important to me...
2007-11-27 13:31:06 · answer #2 · answered by Kerry 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Works are very important. Ephesians 2:10 says we are created to do good works. They do not, however, save us.
We are saved by grace through faith. If we think we can add anything to what Jesus did on the cross, we are boasting. Ephesians 2:8-9. Our works are filthy rags - we cannot add to what Jesus did on the cross at all.
So, God gives us faith by grace. This faith saves us. This faith also causes us to do good works as it says in James 2. The faith saves us though - not the works.
Works did not save these people.
Matthew 7:21-22 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. (22) Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
We need to do the will of the Father, which is enter through the narrow gate by faith.
It boils down to which prophets are we to believe. The prophets of the Bible or the prophet Joseph Smith. The Bible gives the test (Deuteronomy 18:22).
The prophets of the Bible accurately prophesied hundreds of years into the future. The description of Jesus death (Psalm 22), That Jesus would die around A.D. 30 (Daniel 7 - you need to know a "week" actually symbolizes 7 years), That Jesus would be born in Bethlehem (Micah 5:2).
The prophet Joseph Smith had a hard time prophesying out a few years. He prophesied that the civil war would be "poured out upon all nations." (Doctrine and Covenants 87:2-3), He prophesied David W. Patten would go on a mission trip the next spring (Doctrine and Covenants 114). David W. Patten died before that time.
It is really important to get it correct during this lifetime.
Hebrews 9:27-28 And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: (28) So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.
2007-11-27 12:15:34 · answer #3 · answered by MikeM 6 · 0⤊ 2⤋
To me, works are evidence of the faith, proof that one truly is a disciple of Jesus Christ.... It's the walk to go along with the talk.
2007-11-27 15:18:38 · answer #4 · answered by Yoda's Duck 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
amazing that those who are generally cawing about the "CAtholics & their Works" aren't asnwering your question but only people who seem to be more understanding to the reality that it takes both. Christ is our foundation and we are to build upon it. in the parable of the three servents given money - the one that buried it and did nothing was left to shame and cast out. do people really think that, once you accept the Grace of God into your life by the salvation offered by Christ you are to do nothing with it?!?!?
it's quite the opposite. once you are in Christ's fold - you want nothing but to live your life to honour Him!
2007-11-27 12:05:23 · answer #5 · answered by Marysia 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
You make a great point Gumby. We should live our lives and let others worry about their own. Of course those who continue to criticize how others worship do so because deep down the feel inherently wrong with how they live and they feel more justified in their actions by pointing out what they see as mistakes in others.
2007-11-27 11:55:59 · answer #6 · answered by plastik punk -Bottom Contributor 6 · 5⤊ 0⤋
In Acts, it says you are saved by grace, not works lest any man boast. But if you read the whole passage, it says that its both, so they don't know what they are talking about.
EDIT:
Whoa! I temporarily lost my mind. That passage was in Romans, not acts. I wondered why when I went to look it up, it wasn't there, hehe. I was thinking of baptism for the remission of sin.
2007-11-27 11:55:03 · answer #7 · answered by Princess Ninja 7 · 5⤊ 0⤋
Haven't you ever heard of James 2:17-18? Faith without works is DEAD!
2007-11-27 17:19:16 · answer #8 · answered by Karen 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Accept Christ and do good works. Faith without works is dead.
2007-11-27 11:54:07 · answer #9 · answered by Kaliko 6 · 7⤊ 0⤋
I don't know about works, but exercise is definitely good.
You read in the Bible where they did it and were rewarded by Moses' sister Myriam?
2007-11-27 11:56:39 · answer #10 · answered by 2.71828182845904 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋