Faith vs. Works
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- Опубліковано 5 лют 2025
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Many Christians and skeptics have a hard time understanding how Christians salvation works. Are you saved through grace, or do we have to be a good person in order to maintain salvation? This video addresses that and points out the issue of faith and works is just an ordering issue.
Sources:
Dethroning Jesus - Darrell Bock & Dan Wallace
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*I perform works of riteoussness....not to be saved....but because I AM saved !*
What about people who believe in Jesus but who never ever do anything for anyone except themselves? These kind of people will not be saved.The rich man in the Lazarus-rich man parable had faith----he called on his spiritual father Abraham, did he not? But he lacked good works so he went to Hell.
@@georgepenton808 You have to obey the truth (Galatians 3:1) to be saved. The salvation you received by the grace of God is the justification of your faith when you first believe in the Lord Jesus Christ as your savior. That's just a prelude to your salvation. After you are justified by his grace *you have to obey the gospel as you are commanded* (Galatians 3:1). You cannot just sit there and do nothing and still believe to yourself that you are saved. You are lost with that believe (read James 2:14-26).
We gained our justification by the grace of God through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, and it is very clear in Ephesians 2:8-9. In this particular stage, works are not involve. We do not have to do works to attain this salvation by justification because it is solely the finished work of Christ that brought us this salvation. 2 Corinthians 5:21 says that "For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him". So, we have now become righteous and justified before God when we believe in Jesus Christ. But after we are justified by faith before God, that's when we begin to do good works and obey the commandments of our Lord in the gospel; not to be justified (because we have been already justified) but because we are SANCTIFIED by the Spirit to bear fruits for the Master's glory (John 15:8 & 2 Timothy 2:21). The apostle Paul wrote that "we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them"(Eph 2:10). And it is very clear in the epistles of the Apostle Paul that *if we abuse this justification we received from his grace,* God is going to destroy us, as "each man's work will become manifest...If any one destroys God's temple, *GOD WILL DESTROY HIM.* For God's temple is holy, and that temple you are."(I Corinthians 3:13-17).
@Julian Clarke I don't exactly understand your point in your comment. You are mixing so may points. Please be clear and tell me what are you trying to say. Stick to one topic. I mean no offense.
We are call unto good works
BloodOfYeshuaMessiah
I perform works of riteoussness....not to be saved....but because I AM saved !
The wicked certainly hope it works that way. Because they have no intention on performing works of righteousness to be saved, nor do they want to be burdened to do works of righteousness after the fact either. They just want to continue to be wicked, and so if salvation is granted without a works requirement, then the wicked should be able to expect that God will save them not only in their wickedness, but so that they can continue to spread their wickedness as minimalists who do far less than you are willing to do for the sake of righteousness. However, maybe God is able to see how dangerous that is and so Christ in Matthew 9:13 offers his mercy only to those who heed his call to repent (seeing that in order to repent one must turn from doing wicked things to doing righteous things). It then turns into the same promise of mercy that God offered in the 10-commandments in Exodus 20:6 when he said he would shew mercy to thousands of generations of those who loved him and kept his commandments. Because Christ seems to think in Revelation 22:12-15 that it is those who keep the commandments who will have right to the tree of life and entrence into the holy city, but for some reason he clarifies in verse 15 that those who continue to do wicked things are stuck outside the city as if the type of works we do really does matter to whether or not we are actually saved. Else, we would then need to ask why Christ does not say that he is coming to give every man as his faith shall be in verse 12, but rather says our works and then distinguishes between two groups who do very different kinds of works in verses 14 and 15.
I like James 2:18 where he says: "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."
Christ be with you
He starts correctly
God draws us to Christ though we are sinners.
Through his grace we are saved, no works contribute to this, God gives the forgiveness of our sin because of his mercy not because of anything we do. (Titus 3:5)
Sins payment is death.
But this is where he go wrong
For being saved is not salvation.
Christ is salvation and to receive eternal life we must abide in him through his teaching and commandments. (John 14:224, 1 john 5:11-13)
Being saved is like being pulled onto a boat but we must still get to shore, to eternal life and we cannot do this without Christ.
He changes us makes us capable of overcoming challenges and these will come.
Good works will often not just come for while we were drawn by our desire for eternal life and for our Love of God, temptations (James 1:12-16, the flesh (Gal 5:16-24) and the world (1 john2:15-17, 5:1-5) will seek to derail us and we must look past our own person desire to do the will of the Father, by following the teachings of the Son, guided by the Holy Spirit.
This is Faith in him, that by abiding in we will receive something better.
St Paul tells us eternal life requires good works (Gal 6:7-9)
God bless you
You left the church because why? Works are the fruit of the spirit which is love. When you believe you trust God and produce love for one another. It's not earning your salvation through good works.@@TheSinnersPreacher
@@TheSinnersPreacher Jesus answered the Jews that James is addressing in John 6:27-29 yes works but not what we would expect to be works.
An atheist can show you good works too
@axxel9626yet they do not have faith. Thus, not faith alone, not works alone.
As Luther said, " I don't need my good works, my neighbor does"
Wow🙌🏽🙌🏽
Taking Luther as a good source is crazy💀
@@InfraGerusut Triggered Catholic 😂
@@solideogloria04 im not catholic
@@InfraGerusut Maybe, you are paying way too much attention to the guy who is saying that you are forgetting what the saying actually means, is there something wrong with the saying?
Summed up perfectly in this passage:
"For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus UNTO GOOD WORKS, WHICH GOD HATH BEFORE ORDAINED THAT WE SHOULD WALK IN THEM." Ep 2:8-10
Ahhhh, the mysterious and often avoided verse 10!!!
That verse 10 is the reason why I have been doing more good works after I got saved through my Faith in Him .
He was saying we should not do "works" because it is required, but because we are expressing our gratitude to God. In doing so, we cannot boast that it is works that saved us. I always thought that I had to work for God to notice me. Thats what i had been taught all my life
marsha okhiria
You are lucky to have learned the truth of God. May God bless and keep you always .
.. that we SHOULD walk in them. Whats the question here?
Verse 10 does not say works are a CONDITION of being saved.
Hey. I wanted to chime in and say thank you for taking the time out to create this video. Although I already know the message of salvation, i really needed to hear it again.
Thanks, God Bless!
+Growingwiser me too ;)
The Gospel just fills me with so much joy I gotta hear it all the time!
Someone once told me: "We try to do all these things on our own, but don't include the Gospel as part of it. Jesus is saying: 'I gave you the Gospel, and that's enough for you to work on for a lifetime!'"
Growingwiser And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life? And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments. He saith unto him, Which? Jesus said, Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Honour thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. The young man saith unto him, All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet? Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me.
Matthew 19:16-21 KJV
bible.com/bible/1/mat.19.16-21.KJV
@Julian Clarke the entire new testament proves you wrong.
This simple message has helped to reground me! 🙌🏽
Deu 29:29
Amen!!
@@paulrock4816 The law tells us to listen to Christ when he comes. That's why he says he has come to fulfill the law, not abolish it. His message is the point of the law, the law being unable to save a person from Sin. God didn't give us the Law as it was before Christ as the ultimate good, instead he turned the people over to the worship of hosts (acts 7 especially 7:39-50) because ancient people were unable to exist in his presence (as God tells Moses in the passages Stephen cited in Acts) until Jesus showed us how (as Jesus tells us in the gospel of John) The law as it was was for the rudimentary education of spirituality weak people (as St Paul says in his letters). So in living the Word of God As was dictated to us by God in the flesh, we fulfill the law even though we no we don't offer animal sacrifices, or participate in the old rituals. If you believe in the Prophets as Holy scripture you see the tension between them and the God as Moses and the other Israelites experienced god. As Jesus showed us in the transfiguration, he is the resolution of that apparent tension, which was part of God's plan for teaching us the way. Its strange to cite only one passage of the law to make the point that you Must keep the whole law.
"Thus says The Lord: Because My servants are slow to discern and yet resist My will, seeking rather their own way, choosing always to fulfill their own wants and desires, I shall speak once again.
Beloved ones, how is it that each of you yet resist the other, and this on account of your own selfishness? The hour is late, the sun is setting below the horizon, and still I see no union. I see no sincere compassion; only pretense is brought forth, a vain attempt to hide from others that which remains lacking within yourselves.
Beloved ones, stop lying to yourselves! When you come before Me, bring no pretense, nor make empty supplications while your hearts remain far removed. For I am He who sees, your Redeemer who knows. Rather make honesty your companion, and integrity your close friend, as it is written.[1] Beloved, call upon Me in sincerity and in truth, with a heart willing to do whatsoever I ask of you, eager to go wheresoever I send you. For again, I tell you, whatsoever you do for another you have done for Me. And when you forsake even the least of these, My beloved, you have forsaken Me.[2]
Therefore, love is the chief matter; love is your reason for being, even as I am. Or have you so quickly forgotten this wisdom given to My servant, Sha’ul (also known as Paul)?... “Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, yet am void of love, I have become as sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy and many mysteries have been uncovered before my eyes, having received great knowledge, and though I receive the fullness of trust by which even mountains are removed, yet am void of love, I am nothing. And though I give away my goods to feed the poor, even everything I own, and though I willingly give up my body to the fiery furnace, yet am void of love, I have accomplished nothing.
For love is long-suffering and tender-hearted. Love does not envy. Love does not parade itself, is not puffed up, but remains humble. Love does not behave rudely, does not seek its own way, is not easily provoked, but forgives and keeps no record of past wrongs. Love does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices always in the truth. Love bears up and holds fast to that which is good; always hopes, always trusts, and is willing to endure all things. Love never fails.
Yet prophecies will cease and tongues will grow silent; the knowledge of men will vanish away. For now we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when The Perfect comes then that which is in part will be no longer. For when I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child and I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things. For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know, even as I am known.”
For three things abide, and are most needful:
Trust, hope and love...
Yet the greatest of these is love[3]...
Says The Lord YahuShua."
~
"My sons, treat those of My body as you wish to be treated. Consider not what tomorrow may bring, nor dwell on that which has passed; embrace them as they are in this moment. For the one who stands in front of you is the person they are today. For who they were yesterday has passed away, and the person they will become tomorrow is not yet revealed. For you know not what tomorrow brings, nor do you truly know that which has passed. You know neither the heart or the mind, nor are you able to search the thoughts or look upon the innermost intentions. Therefore, treat all My beloved as you would treat Me. Embrace your brothers and sisters in Messiah as you would embrace Me, walking with Me as I am and not as you would have Me be.
For it is written:
According to the judgment with which
You judge shall you be judged,
And with the measure you use
Shall it be measured back to you...
Yet the servant who walks with Me
Moment by moment, treating their
Brother or sister as they wish to be treated,
Shall walk free, unhindered...
Their every reasonable service becoming a labor of love...
Says The Lord."
www.trumpetcallofgod.com
As a catholic, I was skeptical going into the vid, but clearly I was wrong to believe so! You explained things incredibly clearly! Cheers 🍻
This video is not biblical, and not the teaching of the Catholic Church. The bible even says we are judged by our works. What happens if you say you are saved, but then do bad things? Are you then not saved? Can you be saved again by repenting? Well, that's exactly the teachings of the Catholic Church.
@@truecatholic8692 The video is fully biblical. Once you are saved u are always saved. If you say you are saved but continue to sin willingly then thats hypocrisy.We still have the sinful nature which is the flesh, sometimes we sin but we feel the guilt and ask for God's forgiveness and we get back on our feet. Thats what it means to be a child of God
We walk in our new nature which is the spirit, the spirit awakens the day you got saved.
The Catholic church teaches salvation by works and not Jesus alone.That teaching cheapens the Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ
@@maxiobarna1370 your views are unbiblical even Saint Paul didn’t presume his salvation this is demonic deception you believe in because you want to read whatever you want to read in Scripture
@@maxiobarna1370 the greatest lie the devil did was convince the world that once you’re saved you’re always saved. No one ever believed that line until the protestant reformation. And even most Protestants don’t believe in OSAS. You can always tell if someone hasn’t read the New Testament(Covenant) much less the Bible, if they utter OSAS. They let other people tell them what the Bible says, and they don’t look for themselves. Typical 50 verses memorized. Once they read the New Covenant, “I never saw that before”. Thank God the silver lining of the pandemic was so many pastors and Protestants had time to read the Bible and converted to Catholicism.
And by the way it’s always hilarious how a non catholic tells people what Catholic’s believe. You’re no different than cnn/msnbc spreading faking news. If you want to know what The Catholic Church believes in read the Catechism or go to a Real Catholic Theologian. Protestants get their info on Catholics from Protestants and “former Catholics”. Thats not going to be biased? If you’re going to be a protestant be an honest protestant. Delve into why it is you hate The Catholic Church. Not repeating regurgitated easily debunked anti Catholic propaganda. Go all in, because at the end of the day the Catholic Church is either 100 percent false or 100 percent true. That’s what you’re risking and that’s what Catholics are risking. Its either Christ’s Church that the Gates of hell haven’t prevailed against it. Or it’s to my guess, you believe the whore of Babylon. Own it and be the greatest protestant, or quit your sh*t, repent and join the Church of your ancestors, and stop persecuting the One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church.
Blessed Be God Forever! Viva Cristo Rey!
@@truecatholic8692of course you are judged on your works, BUT that’s only for believers. There two judgements, first one to separate the believers from nonbelievers called the Great White Throne Judgement, and the second is judging believers based on their works for REWARDS to be gained or lost IN HEAVEN, the Judgement Seat of Christ
Great perspective on this topic. I think people want to choose their path to salvation instead of following the path that has already been carved.
correct
@Julian Clarke
do you really believe you can keep the law?
Why did jesus die? The law can not save anyone because the only one who kept the law 100% was JESUS CHRIST!!!
You can post as many verses as you please, most of them out of context by the way... if you are trusting in yourself that's a scary position to be in... repent and believe the Gospel....salvation only comes through Jesus finished work.. I pray the most high God will remove the scales from your eyes and not soften your heart to his perfect Love and receive the Gospel that saves 1 Corinthians 15 1-4..I say this with love..
Galatians 3:28-29 King James Version (KJV)
28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.
29 And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.
@@daughterofthemosthigh7921 you are quite right. Torah cannot save you, however true salvation will lead you to want to be obedient to G-d and His commandments.... all too often Christians have a "pick and mix" attitude to Torah... Yeshua Himself said that the Torah still stands in it's entirety and that anyone who teaches otherwise will be called the least in the Kingdom of Heaven.. a bit of a problem for all those that a full of body piercings, eating bacon butties and getting "Christian" tattoos whilst planning for their annual Christmas blowout!
In Ephesians 2;8-9 , You are saved by a sin sacrifice ; remember the wages of sin is death , but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord . Jesus was a sin sacrifice , because he lived a blameless/sinless life ; And his blood is the atonement for our sins ; but what did Christ replace ? Answer , the other sin sacrifice , through the mediator Moses , the law of animal sacrifice , or the blood of the animals ; Which is that WORKS stated in Ephesians 2;9 . Remember , you are saved or redeemed , or forgiven by a sin sacrifice . The law of animal sacrifice could not forgive your spirit/heart/mind/conscience , it was so that God would not kill your flesh , because it was not of faith , but of works . Every time you sinned against the laws of God , you had to go through a series of works ( sacrifice and oblations through the priests ) . Jesus Christ is the mediator of faith , because you have to believe the words of God and start obeying them to come under this mediator blood ( 1st John 1;5-7 ) . The works in Ephesians 2;10 , is keeping the Father's and Christ commandments ( Matthew 19;16-17 ; also Matthew 7;21-23 ; also 1st John 2;1-7 ; also 1st John 5;3-5 ; also 2nd John 1-6 ; also Revelation 14;12 ; also Revelation 22;12-14 ) . Remember , Peter said that some of Paul's epistles and other scriptures are some things hard to be understood . If you see a conflict in the scriptures , then you are not understanding it correctly . An example of this is ( Romans 6;14 , " For sin shall not have dominion over you ; for ye are not under the law , but under grace ; But this is also from Paul ; Romans 2;13 , " For not the hears of the law are just before God , but the doers of the law shall be justified " ) . Remember grace is the blood of Christ , and it is the atonement or sacrifice for your sin ; and the law in Romans 6;14 is the law of animal sacrifice , or the blood of the animals , which could not clean you of the sin of the heart . In Romans 2;13 , the law Paul is talking about is the law of God , the same one Jesus stated to get you eternal life . Another example is ; ( Galatians 2;21, " I do not frustrate the grace of God ; for if righteousness come by the law , then Christ is dead in vain ; but this is also from Paul ; 2nd Timothy 3;15-17 , " And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures , which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus . All scripture is given by inspiration of God , and is profitable for doctrine , for reproof , for correction , for instruction in righteousness . That the man of God may be perfect , throughly furnished unto all good works " ) . Again , remember grace is the gift of God , the free gift , the blood of his Son Jesus Christ ; Which was a sin sacrifice to take away the sins you and Adam have committed against the laws of God ; And the law in Galatians 2;21, is also a sin sacrifice , the law of animal sacrifice . In 2nd Timothy 3;15-17 , the law of God , his holy scriptures instructs you in righteousness . How can you believe in the Father or Jesus , if you do not know what they want ? That's like trying to repair a computer , when you have never seen one before . In Psalm 19;7, " The law of the LORD is perfect , converting the soul ; the testimony of the LORD is sure , making wise the simple " ; By keeping the laws of God , you start having faith in Jesus , then his blood cleans you from all your past sins ( 1st John 1;5-7 ) ; to become a Son of God . Then you must continue in good works ( Ephesians 2;10 ) until the end ( your death , or the return of the Messiah ( Matthew 24;13 ) . People forget that Jesus Christ is a sin sacrifice , or atonement for our sins , and he is also the Word of God , who gives you the commandments of God for eternal life ; Remember , in the end , you will be in the Father's kingdom . When people say you cannot keep all those laws , read this ( Proverbs 24;16 , " For a just man falleth seven times , and riseth up again ; but the wicked shall fall into mischief " ) . Jesus Christ is our advocate with the Father , he is the propitiation for our sins ; This is what John wrote in 1st John 2;1,3-5 , " My little children , these things write unto you , that ye sin not , And if any man sin , we have an advocate with the Father , Jesus Christ the righteous ; And hereby we do know that we know him , if we keep his commandments . He that saith , I kmow him , and keepeth not his commandments , is a liar , and the truth is not in him . But whoso keepeth his word , in him verily is the love of God perfected ; hereby know we that we are in him . He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk , even as he walked . Brethren , I write no new commandment unto you , but an old commandment which ye had from the beginning . The old commandment is the word which ye have heard from the beginning " ) ; Which means that if you are not wilfully sinning against the laws of God , you can repent with a sorrowful heart through your mediator of faith , Jesus Christ . Don't you have to obey all the laws that man give you or you come under his judgment ? God is holy , and man is not ; So you listen to the unjust before the just ? Think about that ! Shalom !
@@daughterofthemosthigh7921
Daughter Of The Most High
5 months ago (edited)
Daughter of the most high: @Julian Clarke
do you really believe you can keep the law?
Anyone can keep the law to some degree. But, you are concerned that we stumble and fall and are not exactly perfect in our obedience, right? But, God was aware of this problem and cleverly introduced an idea in the law that almost all Christians overlook in their haste. Try to appreciate that God says this right in the middle of the ten commandments, because for God to even hint at this is telling of how little Christians truly understand God and his intentions from the law.
Exo 20:6
And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments.
Mercy is not necessary for people who have never sinned. But, it is critical for sinners who are seeking a way to reconcile themselves back to God. And God says that he shows mercy to those who keep his commandments. The idea here being that if we turn from our wickedness and stop rebelling against God and return to keeping his commandments, he promises us mercy in his law. Is it then any wonder that Christ said this in the gospel of John?
Jhn 14:15
If ye love me, keep my commandments.
Now, consider that the Savior tells us to go learn what this means in Matthew 9:13.
Mat 9:13
But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.
What’s that, Christ will have mercy and not sacrifice? But, we were always taught that something had to first die as some kind of payment for sins in order that we could be forgiven by God’s mercy, and Christ seems to offer mercy, not sacrifice, instead if sinners like us will simply repent. But, this is because Christ knows that people who repent by turning back to keeping the commandments will obtain the mercy God promises to those who love him and keep his commandments back in Exodus 20:6. You see, if repentence were not possible, then humanity would be in quite a pickle where it concerns keeping the law and obeying God. But, John the Baptist and Christ came preaching repentence, because this was the very key to halting sin rebellion against God in its tracks by returning humanity back to the right path of commandment keeping. The problem is that most Christians want nothing to do with what Christ teaches in this respect, so the problem with sin rebellion is not being halted, but it continues to thrive even inside Christianity to this very day.
You wrote: Why did jesus die?
Yeah, especially if Christ admitted already in Matthew 9:13 that he possessed the authority to forgive sins on earth?
Mat 9:6
But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (then saith he to the sick of the palsy,) Arise, take up thy bed, and go unto thine house.
Mat 9:7
And he arose, and departed to his house.
Mat 9:8
But when the multitudes saw it, they marvelled, and glorified God, which had given such power unto men.
Obviously, Christ did not need to go to the cross to obtain the authority to forgive us of our sins, because he already possessed that authority. And this is again why he could offer mercy without sacrifice to sinners who repent, because he already had the authority to forgive sins long before the cross. So, why would Christ have to endure the cross? The reason might start to become clear if we read the following passage from Revelation 12.
Rev 12:10
And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.
Rev 12:11
And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.
And they overcame HIM by the blood of the lamb? Wait, I thought the law was the source of all our problems. So, who is this “HIM” that we need the blood of the lamb to overcome? The prior verse identifies this individual as “the accuser of the brethren” which is really none other than Lucifer himself. So, apparently, despite the fact that Christ had the authority to forgive sins in the eyes of God and his law, there was a separate issue involving Lucifer that forced Christ into the corner of needing to go to the cross to spill his blood in order to protect us from Lucifer and the accusations Lucifer was raising against us and God. Yet, if Christ went to the cross to die to pay off our sin debt to the law, then the accounting records should have been reconciled inside this sin economy the moment Christ resurrected from the dead. Our sins, if they had been paid for in full by Christ, should have resulted in our no longer being subject to death and dying. That Penalty was supposed to be placed on Christ who was supposedly going to die as a Substitute in our place according to various models of substitutionary atonement theology, right? However, as everyone can see, humanity never stopped experiencing death and dying after Christ’s resurrection and our world is still a very sinful place where all kinds of atrocities continued to be committed even in the name of Christianity by some Christians. So, it is apparent that paying for our sins was not the point behind his sacrifice, nor would it be necessary if Christ says he will have mercy and not sacrifice as concerns those sinners who are willing to repent of their sins.
-*The word "believe" and "faith" in the Bible are not a mental statement, are active statements. There are 2 types of works in the Bible, works of self-righteousness (Titus 3:5) and works of faith (James **2:14**-26). We are not save the works of self-righteousness (Ephesians 2:8-9) but by works of faith (Philippians **2:12**).*
Dr. Gary Habermas said: We are not saved by our own works, but we are saved to do good works.
*In more detail, works of faith is working out your relationship with God (even if it has to be done outside of your comfort zone); for example when Abraham was about to kill his son Isaac, it wasn't because it please him, but because of his faith. This is the only kind of work accepted in the Bible because is based on relationship towards God. Works of self-righteousness is just works for yourself and/or the creation alone, but never with the Creator Himself (God), that’s why your fruits show if you are a genuine Christian or a hypocrite one.*
FernandoP1 - Art Zone Productions read my comment above
Po-Ke watch - you state that God had to open your eyes and that God places faith inside of you! Where do you see that happening in the bible? That theory goes against what God instituted in us all which is free will!! Free will means WE have the ability to choose to follow God or not! Romans 10:17 states that "faith comes from hearing and hearing from the word of God" meaning that one has to hear the word of God, in this case to be saved to develop faith, it is by the gospel that we are able to be saved Romans 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation TO EVERYONE WHO BELIEVES, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. So belief is something we have to do , God does not do that for you!
Example john 3:16 “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that WHOEVER BELIEVES, in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. These verses clearly show that its not God who has to believe, it is MAN!
Yet salvation is not by belief/ faith only!!
Faith/belief John 3:16/ Hebrews 11:6
Repentance to turn from sin (not confess sins) Luke 13:3 / Acts 17:30
Confess Christ as Lord Matthew 10:32-33/ Acts 8:37
Baptized for the forgiveness of sins Acts 2;38/ Acts 22:16/ Mark 16:16
Remain faithful till death - Revelations 2:10
BF m
You are right. “Believe” and “faith” which is πιστις (pistis) or πιστός (pistons) is best understood as trusting in a person. There are times when this does mean something cognitive for example Hebrews 11. But when in context it is referring to a person it usually best translates “trust.” However this doesn’t mean that it’s the results of trusting God that declare a person justified. It’s the results of that trust that vindicate your faith, in context this is what James 2 is about. True saving faith results in works. However faith is the only instrumental cause that results in Christ’s righteousness being imputed to us, otherwise in the overwhelming amount the verses, the writers would’ve included something in addition to faith “trust” itself that was required for justification.
David Clark. You mentioned the overwhelming verses that it was faith and not something else to be justified in Christ, my question is can you find 1 example of a lost sinner after Christ had resurrected that was saved by faith alone?
Came across your videos on TikTok FYP and came here to find your statement of faith, and this has answered my question, I'm so glad you believe that salvation is by grace alone, a free gift that God won't take back no matter what, there are so many channels that sound right but when you seek deeper they teach salvation is by faith and works which the Bible does not teach. You've gained a subscriber.
I’ve always rationalized it as if you are saved by grace, then you will want to do good works. Because of this reasoning I wonder about the Christians who say they are saved but do no works.
They are on a lesser level of the game. They are immature.
14. If any man`s work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward.
15. If any man`s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.
(1 Corinthians, 3)
How you live has nothing to do with being saved or staying saved. Salvation is a matter of the heart
9. That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
10. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
11. For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.
(Romans, 10)
The bible says we are saved by grace, but will be judged by our works.
@@truecatholic8692 Perhaps but then how do you explain those who are saved but live like heathens everyday? Yes, we are not to judge others but we know them by their works.. I think there will be a lot of unhappy Christians on judgement day.. I guess I will just say, if you are truly saved and love God, your works will shine through.. If they do not, well.......
@@ifilmalways7122 I think you mean "those who say they are saved but live like heathens every day". There are so many places in Scripture which talk about how one is “saved”, but not one of them says we are saved by one act of faith at just one point in time. So using the "saved" term like in your comment is not really biblical.
thank you for this nuanced breakdown - too many work obsessed people in our time... helps to realize you are worthy from the beginning, and because of that beautiful gift the efforts flow naturally.
Matthew 25:31-46
31 “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his glorious throne. 32 All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 33 He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.
34 “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. 35 For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36 I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’
37 “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39 When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’
40 “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’
41 “Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. 42 For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, 43 I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.’
44 “They also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?’
45 “He will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’
46 “Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.”
Do you understand the context of the verses of which you posted? Do you read the Bible in a literal sense or contextually?
+Triumphator in Christ MAGA 2020
The primary source of Christian doctrine is Christ's own words. Everything else is to be interpreted in line with them. And I don't recall a single place where Christ said works are irrelevant to our salvation. And good works are not just something that saving faith automatically makes us want to do, as the video claims. Since Christians are still under the influence of sin, very often they have to force themselves to do good works, they actually have to work their way to heaven:
“The Law and the Prophets were proclaimed until John; since that time the gospel of the kingdom of God is preached, and everyone FORCES his way into it."
Luke 16:16
34 And He summoned the crowd with His disciples, and said to them, “If anyone wishes to come after Me, he MUST DENY HIMSELF, and take up his cross and follow Me. 35 For whoever wishes to save his life WILL LOSE IT, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel’s WILL SAVE IT. 36 For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world, and forfeit his soul? 37 For what will a man give in exchange for his soul?"
Mark 8
@Julian Clarke his will is belive on the one he sent. You need to shut up your just throwing random verses out and women are not to teach but I guess you missed that part right?
@@orthodoxoschristianos435 Works and faith are united. We dont force ourselves to do works apart from faith. We choose to do works because we do works IN faith. You cannot isolate works from faith as if they are two things we do, but they are ONE
Faith without works is dead
What can you say to the people who have been doing good works after GOD saved them by their faith ?
Wrong
@@allenbrininstool7558 James 2:14-26
@Valeria James is not saying that our works make us righteous before God but that real saving faith is demonstrated by good works. Works are not the cause of salvation; works are the evidence of salvation. Faith in Christ always results in good works. The person who claims to be a Christian but lives in willful disobedience to Christ has a false or dead faith and is not saved. Paul basically says the same thing in 1 Corinthians 6:9-10. James contrasts two different types of faith-true faith that saves and false faith that is dead.
Misunderstanding the relationship of faith and works comes from not understanding what the Bible teaches about salvation. There are really two errors in regards to works and faith. The first error is “easy believism,” the teaching that, as long as a person prayed a prayer or said, “I believe in Jesus,” at some point in his life, then he is saved, no matter what. So a person who, as a child, raised his hand in a church service is considered saved, even though he has never shown any desire to walk with God since and is, in fact, living in blatant sin. This teaching, sometimes called “decisional regeneration,” is dangerous and deceptive. The idea that a profession of faith saves a person, even if he lives like the devil afterwards, assumes a new category of believer called the “carnal Christian.” This allows various ungodly lifestyles to be excused: a man may be an unrepentant adulterer, liar, or bank robber, but he’s saved; he’s just “carnal.” Yet, as we can see in James 2, an empty profession of faith-one that does not result in a life of obedience to Christ-is in reality a dead faith that cannot save.
The other error in regards to works and faith is to attempt to make works part of what justifies us before God. The mixture of works and faith to earn salvation is totally contrary to what Scripture teaches. Romans 4:5 says, “To him who does not work but believes on Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is accounted for righteousness.” James 2:26 says, “Faith without works is dead.” There is no conflict between these two passages. We are justified by grace through faith, and the natural result of faith in the heart is works that all can see. The works that follow salvation do not make us righteous before God; they simply flow from the regenerated heart as naturally as water flows from a spring.
Salvation is a sovereign act of God whereby an unregenerate sinner has the “washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit” poured out on him (Titus 3:5), thereby causing him to be born again (John 3:3). When this happens, God gives the forgiven sinner a new heart and puts a new spirit within him (Ezekiel 36:26). God removes his sin-hardened heart of stone and fills him with the Holy Spirit. The Spirit then causes the saved person to walk in obedience to God’s Word (Ezekiel 36:26-27).
Faith without works is dead because it reveals a heart that has not been transformed by God. When we have been regenerated by the Holy Spirit, our lives will demonstrate that new life. Our works will be characterized by obedience to God. Unseen faith will become seen by the production of the fruit of the Spirit in our lives (Galatians 5:22). Christians belong to Christ, the Good Shepherd. As His sheep we hear His voice and follow Him (John 10:26-30).
Faith without works is dead because faith results in a new creation, not a repetition of the same old patterns of sinful behavior. As Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 5:17, “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.”
Faith without works is dead because it comes from a heart that has not been regenerated by God. Empty professions of faith have no power to change lives. Those who pay lip service to faith but who do not possess the Spirit will hear Christ Himself say to them, “I never knew you. Depart from me, you evildoers” (Matthew 7:23).
@Austin Read all these when you have the time.
www.gotquestions.org/vine-and-branches.html
www.gotquestions.org/Christian-lose-salvation.html
Romans 11: Finding and Losing Salvation - Understanding
Does Hebrews 10:26 teach that we can lose our salvation? | CARM.org
www.gotquestions.org/Hebrews-10-26.html
justifiedbychristalone.com/2009/04/15/a-study-of-revelation-chapter-2-verses-4-to-5/
The logic is pretty simple on this one.
James is the one that teaches us that faith requires works. Faith without works is dead, which means that without works, there is no faith. Therefore if you have faith, you must have works. As you yourself pointed out, if faith does not result in works, it's not faith. So you need to have works. No works means no faith. No faith means no salvation. Therefore (connecting this simple logical chain), no works means no salvation.
Just look at the very scripture you quoted: "...and faith was completed by his works". So that means that his faith was *incomplete* before his works, right? Can you be saved by grace through incomplete faith? Of course not. Hence why Christ taught his disciples to be "doers of the word", not hears only. Or why those that "do the will of the Father" will enter the kingdom of God.
Or why, in Rev 2:5, Christ commands the Ephesians to "do the first works" or he will remove them from the church.
Or why blessed are they that "do the commandments" that they may have the right to enter the kingdom (Rev 22:14)
Or why Christ asked the rich young man about his works, not his faith, concerning his salvation (Matt 19:17-24)
So yeah, if you hear and believe, "thou doest well" (as James says in 2:19). But obviously that is not sufficient. You have to do the works because this demonstrates your faith is sufficient for Christ's grace.
You are totally missing it here...who is the author and finisher of the faith?? The gospel it God provided the Good works (Jesus) on the cross. Your faith is completed by Jesus(your good and perfect works) not your works on this earth, they are filthy rags.
Ryan Johnson; Good post. Good answers. Good scriptures.
Denis Potafiy Basically James completely refutes you, but I doubt that you could understand why so I'm not gonna bother.
Denis Potafiy Okay, I will help you out.
_That is false logic_
The logic is valid, you simply have already rejected the conclusion as false. The error is not in the logic, but in rejecting the conclusion that is drawn from it because you don't like it.
_That is like Catholics saying "Jesus is God, and Mary gave birth to Jesus, therefore Mary is the mother of God". that is false reasoning_
That is absolutely *not* false reasoning, which I will easily demonstrate. First, let's replace a few words to apply the _same reasoning_ to a different situation to see if you agree with it. James (the brother of Jesus) is a human, and Mary gave birth to James, therefore Mary is the mother of a human.
Well that is true, Mary *is* the mother of a human. Therefore, by the same reasoning, your example is valid reasoning. Your problem here is not the reasoning, but the fact that you used the term "God" in 2 different senses - called the fallacy of equivocation. You think the conclusion meant that Mary was the mother of God (the Father), which she is not. However, your first statement wasn't saying that Jesus is God (the Father). So you used "God" in two different senses and confused yourself.
_Visible works validate your faith and your faith justifies you before God. Yet your works only validate your faith before men. God already accepted you and knew your faith was genuine before your works ever were produced_
I know you think this because you have been taught that, but it is just not a correct understanding of the book of James. The Bible and Jesus especially teach multiple times about not being concerned about the judgement of man. In fact, it often condemns those that are concerned about what man thinks of them rather than God. This is not compatible with a message about having to justify oneself with respect to man.
Furthermore, a saving faith is not produced before works. This is made perfectly clear in James 2:22 where he says, "as a result of the works, faith was perfected [or "completed"]. If works perfect/complete faith, that means that faith is imperfect/incomplete *before* works.
Therefore the thing which you were taught, that "your faith was genuine before your works were ever produced" is directly contradicted by scripture. James teaches that your faith is complete only as a *result* of works, not before them.
The logic is fine, you simply reject valid reasoning over rejecting an incorrect understanding of James 2.
you do not understand James 2
Despite Tim Keller being a Calvinist (as far as I can tell), I think he hit the nail right on the head with the remark about the stairway in the reverse order from the world. "'For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,' declares the LORD."
I noticed one of your comments down below: "Salvation is a one time event. Sanctification is a process." I can't give enough 'Amen's for that statement because that's absolutely correct. I think that the biggest problem (at least here in America) is that we try and combine Salvation and Sanctification into a single thing and it leads to a very minimalist view of salvation; people seeking to do the absolute minimum requirement needed for salvation. Unfortunately, I think far too often this leads people to becoming seeds that feel among thorns and briers because they bear little to no fruit.
I think Sanctification in of itself is a thing almost completely foreign to Western Christianity because as soon as people start talking about it, people tune it out as "works righteousness salvation." The odd thing that I've found in studying the Early Church Fathers is that they talk about this all the time, though I think they used the term 'deification' and the process of that is 'theosis' following Saint Athanasius' saying: "God became Man so that Man might become God."
Neither of those diagrams are correct. You even agree when you say "Salvation is a one time event. Sanctification is a process." The bible says we are saved by grace, but will be judged by our works.
@@truecatholic8692 My goodness. Do all Catholics have a habit of necroing comments from 7 years ago? Sanctification as a process has largely been lost in the West, especially in America where practically all of Christianity there is derived from some form of Puritanism, which is strictly Calvinistic, and in Calvinism, there is no distinction between Justification and Sanctification (hence the reason why I remarked at my surprise at the fact that Keller said "Salvation [Justification] is a one time event. Sanctification is a process" since Keller himself is a Calvinist -- at least he was 7 years ago. I haven't kept up with what he's been doing since then).
But even in Catholicism, there is no true process of Sanctification other than just someone maybe doing a few good deeds here or there, but there is no ontological change to drive one towards their telos; not in the same way as understood by the Early Church Fathers - in the same way that the Catholics also abandoned the ancient understanding of Holy Icons are windows to heaven. Now, they are simply understood as pedagogical relics.
@@PheonixRise173 I wasn't looking at dates, but I think we are agreement.
Faith and works go hand to hand, without works faith is dead, we are call unto Good works, we must shine our light by doing Good christ righteousness in us the fruit of the spirit
@@kervinrobinkneshoa7213 faith without works is dead in the eyes of who god or humanity now it can’t be the faith without works is dead in the eyes of god because god can see everything and can see in are hearts if we are true believers if we have truly put our faith in Christ so god doesn’t need to see any good works to justify us. so it can’t be talking about that our works are dead in the eyes of god and it has to be talking about our faith without works is dead in the eyes of humanity because humans can’t see through are hearts
Such a simple, straightforward, and inspirational message. Thank you so much for everything you do. You are a Knight of Christ
“For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.”
Ephesians 2:8-9 NKJV
Reading further it states that
“For we are His workmanship, created IN Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.”
Ephesians 2:10
So yeah I believe it’s an order issue. Works show the fruits of your faith. And we are saved first by faith alone.
Amen.
1 Timothy 1:5- Now the goal of our instruction is love from a pure heart, from a good conscience, and from sincere faith.
nice video.
5:15
i will actually correct you there.
We do good works because of the genuine love of God/Jesus in us.
when you are filled with His love/Holy Spirit, and you see a beggar, you will not just say "god bless you", you will physically bless that beggar with your works!
But you are not doing this work to BOAST, but you did it for your affection, compassion and love towards that beggar.
that is the works James is clearly talking about.
I propose, that anything temporal is like saying be warm and filled and go in peace, but to give that person Christ is to feed them, because he is the manna from heaven, eat of his flesh and drink of his blood. He also is our covering. You are to be clothed in christ. The body= body of christ, the believers. Giving people the temporal things of this life is not going to profit them truely, because if they ended up in hell separated, what would it have matter....Jesus on the other hand will profit and matter. He is eternal.
Lawson Gear so what about beggars who believe in Christ and are homeless. How do you bless them?
Julian Clarke John 9:31- that is because the Pharisees thought that they were not sinners because of their works, Read the whole context! “Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion and excess. Thou blind Pharisee, cleanse first that which is within the cup and platter, that the outside of them may be clean also.”
Matthew 23:25-26 The Pharisees thought that by working hard to keep the law, they were saved, instead of actually turning to God with their heart. (Their heart was set on works, not God)
Psalm 40:8- Notice, “I delight” to do your will, not “I have to” !
The law was there to act as a mirror, and to show us our sin, and lead us to the cross! “But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed. Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster. For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.”
Galatians 3:23-26
Galatians 3:19- Notice again, “it was added because of transgressions, TILL THE SEED SHOULD COME” but Paul is addressing the Old Testament law before Christ, meaning when Christ came through the seed, not how you are taking it as his second coming.
Psalm 51:5 - That is David admitting that even if he kept the law perfectly, he was still born a sinner, meaning there is no way out without the cross of Christ!
James 2:14,19 - He even explains that one himself! “If it hath not works, is dead, being alone. Meaning that, you can have such a thing as dead faith! He is addressing people who say that they believe but show no signs of God changing them. If you want to take that verse as a means to do works for salvation, then you have a big problem! Why does Paul say that it is by grace and not of works? Notice, if I did works with dead faith, it would make me trust in my works instead of Jesus, which was the heart of the Pharisees!
“A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh. And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them.”
Ezekiel 36:26-27
Notice, when God gives us his spirit, it causes us to walk in his statutes! We would not need the Holy Ghost if we could follow the law ourselves!
You’re trying to take glory and boast about keeping the law, and yet twisting and distorting clear scripture to do so! Jesus is the one who paid for my sin, when he shed his blood on Calvary, my sin was laid on him, and I will receive his righteousness as a free gift from God not because of my works, but because of what he has done! “For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.”
2 Corinthians 5:21
“There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.”
Romans 8:1-5
We have the spirit of God in us and when we lean on the spirit, we can be lead to good works and the like, but not to save us, because that has already been done!
Just to clarify at this point, that repentance is extremely important, to be saved, however repentance is the guilt that we feel from breaking the law which leads us to the cross, and it is the change of mind that we have toward sin, so that we hate sin, however this does not mean that we don’t sin, but that we hate sin and hate to sin.
“But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.”
Isaiah 64:6
“And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work.”
Romans 11:6
“For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me. Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink? When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee? Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee? And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.”
Matthew 25:35-40
Notice in this parable that the ‘righteous’ answer him in a humble way, because they were not doing those good works to be saved, but because they loved their neighbours and they desired to do good unto those people that they loved, and therefore they were not expecting a reward for their work!
“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? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.”
Matthew 7:22-23
It does not matter how many wonderful works that you do, they will never save you! Only the blood of Jesus can cleanse us from all unrighteousness!
“Ye hypocrites, well did Esaias prophesy of you, saying, This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me.”
Matthew 15:7-8
I like to think of it this way: you're not particularly deserving (or undeserving) of this gift but its been offered to you anyway. It's such a big and beautiful gift that it's more than you'll ever need alone. Once you accept this gift you cannot help but have passion for sharing the boundless grace with others. That's why mother Mary's response to the angels message of her immanent pregnancy wasn't self aggrandizing or self centered. She became overjoyed that her cousin's family was going to participate in this salvation as well, and immediately put her physical needs aside to help Elizabeth with her part of the fulfillment of prophecy. Charis-charity-gift-grace
You dont grant grace! The grace is gifted to you in compensation for your faith. what do you possibly mean that its "more than you'll ever need"?? I need every essence of grace the lord grants me for my vile and deplorable sins.
@@r.fortner4661 grace isn't a transaction. I have faith in the message of Jesus because he's Jesus. The grace of salvation is through Jesus. The grace comes first and you choose to accept it. And the gospel of the lord is to be that light in the world. God's grace is so much bigger than me, and my cup flows over. I don't dispense any grace, you're right About that.
Remember it is the works of Faith, but not the works of the law that we are to live by, which is how the law is established (Romans 3:21-31, Galatians 3:23-25). We are to bear fruit of the Spirit for salvation (Matthew 7:16-20) which can only be done through Christ (John 15:5). Once we have the Spirit we no longer need the law because the Spirit gives life, but the law is only a ministration of death that kills and condemns (2 Corinthians 3:6-17). "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law." Galatians 5:22-23
Axe at the root
Ok. What if I have faith but I don't have those virtues like love and gentleness etc.? Am I still saved? What if I hate someone?
Faith = Belief Belief in something produces action What comes first Faith then Action If you go to work you have Faith your Boss will pay you therefore you work but you are payed as a result of your work you had to have Faith or Belief your boss would pay you before you worked or you would not go but with Salvation your Faith came first and you where given Salvation you Believed Gods word but you where not payed as a boss that owes you for your labor witch is and obligation your where given the Gift of God through Gods Grace Salvation and Eternal Life in Christ Jesus.Your works are and outward sign of your Faith and Belief Your Salvation is a Gift not and Obligation ,There not debating Salvation in these passages there Examining ones heart,,,To add any action other then what Christ has done is to bring him down from the cross ,
@@jeffbanner4580 Actually faith is trust not just belief.
The fine line between, "What must I do to be saved?" and "What do I do now that I am saved?"
So then it comes down to we are saved by grace through faith and created for good works in Christ Jesus. Simple enough to comprehend.
So many doctrinal arguments. They pick and choose and take apart this verse and that. Christ died on the cross for you as the ultimate sacrifice to pay for all of it and you say more is required. Thank you for this video and all your work. The commentators who wish to say you have to work to attain it are missing the point. You could never work hard enough. All your works are as dirty rags. I will choose to believe and than work to give some small portion of the love My Father has given me to others. I work out of gratitude not to attain what is already mine by His grace.
Not the hearers of the Law are just before God, but the doers of the Law shall be justified! (Romans 2:14)
Ye see then how that by WORKS a man is justified and not by faith alone?
Who is a Gentile? Is it not one who has yet to receive the Law? Ok then who is a Jew? It’s one who has been given the Law. What Paul is saying is that whether your a Jew (one who has received the Law) or a Gentile (one who has yet to receive the law) the law exists! And so whether your with or without (the written law) you will be judged by it!
James is not speaking about being justified “before men”, (as the video suggests), that is a manipulation of what James plainly states, and in contradiction to what the Gospel teaches. For where in the Gospel does it say that men justify?
ua-cam.com/video/Nn4G_Ehqkhg/v-deo.html
actually we saved by faith , but the manifestation of our faith are good works we do it not for our rightiousness but because we love and trist our lord Jesus christ who said anyone who loves me will keep my camandments. those who are truely born again will have God law written in their hearts pls watch the video
ua-cam.com/video/Nn4G_Ehqkhg/v-deo.html
@@ericstreff3065
Let's look at Roman's 4, and see what it says, Romans 4 King James Version (KJV)
4 What shall we say then that Abraham our father, as pertaining to the flesh, hath found?
2 For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God.
3 For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.
4 Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt.
5 But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.
6 Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works,
7 Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered.
8 Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin.
9 Cometh this blessedness then upon the circumcision only, or upon the uncircumcision also? for we say that faith was reckoned to Abraham for righteousness.
Also in Galatians, Galatians 2:16
Knowing that a man is not justified by the works ofthe law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might bejustified by the faith of Christ, and not by the worksof the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.
James 2 is talking about being justified before men, not before God. God is the one who justifies a person, by their faith.
Works have to reflect faith. Its hypocrisy to have faith but live in sin, there is no salvation in this. Matt 7:22.
Wrong
Salvation by works is like earning love which renders love conditional. It turns love into a mere bargain with Christ, which is a faithless love.
Norma: Salvation by works is like earning love which renders love conditional.
And salvation by faith is not conditional? If the goal is not to earn salvation, then salvation should be in spite of faith or works either one as the motivator that compels God to save us. However, if God has no criteria for saving us, then the wicked should have nothing to worry about, right? So, God would seem to need something from us to discern us as being somehow fundamentally different from the wicked when push comes to shove. But, in this respect, the Savior did say, “If ye love me, keep my commandments.” That sounds like Christ understands fully that only if you meet the condition of loving him will you actually keep his commandments, so maybe love is more conditional than we would like to think, because back in Exodus 20:6, in the very heart of the ten commandments, God seems to believe that he will show mercy to thousands of generations of them who love him and keep his commandments. This idea seems to remain consistent throughout Scripture from God’s perspective, but man truly has a problem with God being that way. Yet, it may turn out that love is commandment keeping, and people have been missing the point all along trying to treat them as overly separate ideas. But, then the many attempts to abolish the commandments would in essence be a gesture from sinful man to attempt to abolish love as it is love that is defined inside the intent of those commandments. However, that might explain then why the Savior gets so bent out of shape towards the goats of Matthew 25. Christ sends the goats off to be destroyed after listing certain works they failed to perform towards their fellow man: treating the matter as if the negligence was directed at him personally in their refusal to show an ounce of love by performing this list of works Christ places so much focus on in this parable. But, doesn’t Christ know these goats believe in grace entitlements and that their pastor told them that works do not matter to their salvation? Or, is it here that we realize the pastors have been lying through their teeth about that all along, because the sheep who did this same list of works in the parable of the sheep and goats, Christ was pleased with them and did not destroy them. So, maybe works are far more critical to our salvation than we have been taught, because the goats of Matthew 25 might have gotten off a little better if they had actually done those kind things to others in the list of works Christ pointed out to them.
@@coreybray9834 Honestly, trust is a response to sola gratia. Faith is a response to grace.
@@wilsonw.t.6878
Wilson: @Corey Bray Honestly, trust is a response to sola gratia. Faith is a response to grace.
Faith is taught by Christ in Matthew 23 to also be one of the weightier matters of the law, suggesting that faith is a response to the moral and legal obligations we have to God as well. I imagine that if one looks around, they will find that faith is a reasonable response to a lot of divergent things God does to stimulate this relationship we have going on with our Creator. But, according to james 2:17, faith alone will never cut it. He seems to think faith without works is dead, being alone. So, maybe James is trying to say that real trust in God is seen through our willingness to obey God with our works, rather than mere lip service about having faith that mere words cannot really confirm is the case. In verse 18, James continues to jab at paul’s theology in Romans 4:5 and Ephesians 2:8-9 by asking Paul to show his faith without his works, where as James says he will rather show his faith by his works. So, I don’t think James was very impressed with Paul’s justification by faith without works idea of Romans 4:5 and being saved by grace through faith and not of works theology from Ephesians 2:8-9. I think James started to suspect something was very wrong with Paul after witnessing the incident with Paul in Acts 21 at Jerusalem that nearly got Paul killed and eventually lead to the converts from the churches in the Roman province of Asia departing from Paul, something Paul admits openly happened in one of his epistles to Timothy after the fact.
@@coreybray9834 Faith is never considered a "work". The context of James said faith without good works is dead. Yes, so the faith that doesn't do good works is dead faith and it is that dead faith that no longer justifies you. (Which is not really faith).
@@wilsonw.t.6878
Wilson: @Corey Bray Faith is never considered a "work".
At least, dead faith is not considered a work, because dead faith is not active at all. When your works become the vehicle that expresses your faith as being more than an idea floating around in your mind, then your faith is active and alive. The implication being that work is the substance of real faith. So, they are essentially coupled together, because without works your faith is incapable of being active and alive.
Wilson: The context of James said faith without good works is dead.
Yes, verse 17 says that, but verse 18 explains what James means by it with a test. And James challenges you to show your faith without your works as he says he will show you his faith by his works. In other words, James is saying your talk of having faith is cheap, but your actions will speak far louder than your words about how much faith you truly possess. But, Christians do not want to hear that today, because they want God to save them merely by their use of meaningless and unreliable lip service that is just dead faith in disguise, not because they ever had any real intentions of stepping out in faith and actually obeying God. That people think God will be fooled by this lip service is truly a travesty in Christianity today.
Wilson: Yes, so the faith that doesn't do good works is dead faith and it is that dead faith that no longer justifies you.
But, this is where James an Paul part ways on the topic of faith. Paul pushed the idea in Romans 4:5 that the ungodly can be justified by faith without works. Then Paul comes back in Ephesians 2:8-9 and teaches that we are saved by grace through faith and NOT OF WORKS. James fires back that faith without works is dead and clarifies a few verses later that it is our works that makes our faith perfect. Then a little later in Revelation 2, Christ comes back to the Ephesians that Paul taught could be saved by grace through faith and not of works, and Christ sternly warns them to consider whence they are fallen and to repent and to do the first works, because what Paul had taught them was simply incorrect. Dead faith cannot justify or save a person as Paul had imagined. But, most Christians today prefer to follow Paul rather than James and Christ in this matter.
Wilson: (Which is not really faith).
I like the way James 2:19 puts it. James says you might believe in God and that that is good and all, but he points out that the devils also believe and tremble. But, the problem with the devils is that while they believe that God exists and know what he expects of them, they continue to rebel against him rather than step out in faith to obey God in their works. If dead faith could save us, the devils would have nothing to worry about. But, unfortunately for them, dead faith without works is not enough. In fact, Christ magnifies that point in the parable of the tallents and the parable of the sheep and goats in Matthew 25. In both those parables, those who do no works are cast out and destroyed. Those who do works are saved and have a far more pleasant outcome. In each parable, Christ explains what the people who fail did not do. What is strange is that in neither parable does he say that they lacked faith. He only harps about the certain works they failed to do instead that got them in so much trouble. So, when Christ speaks about believing in order to be saved and being saved by faith, he is not talking about lip service or dead faith, but rather faith that is coupled with works that is active and alive. And in Matthew 5, this helps to point out further why it is those who do and teach the commandments who will be greatest in his kingdom.
I apologize to the Catholics out there for people hating on you! I had a dream from God about it because I prayed and asked if this religion was right and he answered me the same night and told me it was good. Don’t have to take my word for it but this is my experience as I prayed to not be deceived in the name of Jesus so I’m trusting what he told me!
@@hygravity956 You should research the Scriptures. A dream can be merely just a dream.
John 6:28 Then they asked him, “What must we do to do the works God requires?”
Jesus answered, “The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent.”
I disagree with this as an Eastern Orthodox Christian. Justification is dynamic and not static. Sanctification and justification are both processes and are practically synonymous. They are both by grace alone. When Paul says we are not justified by our works, he is referring to dead works done outside the grace of Christ. James is saying that sanctification done by grace of Christ alone is necessary for salvation.Sanctification is not merely evidence of justification. It is a part of justification. Christians are saved and justified at our at baptism, are being saved/justified by sanctification, and will be saved/justified at the last judgement when we receive our glorified bodies.
I being a Catholic can agree. I don't think IP really addressed that in this video. He is merely showing how works show we have valid faith. And that is right. There is alittle more too it than just that, works do play a role in our process of salvation. But, IP was trying to present something all Christians can agree on. He does not want Catholic vs Protestant wars on the wall. Or, in your case, Eastern Orthodox vs Protestant.
ὁ κατέχων
As a Catholic I agree with you guys. The 'once saved always saved' idea can not stand to biblical scrutiny. Jesus says He will seperate the sheep and goats according to their works (what you have done/didn't do to the least of these you have done to me). We are saved by Grace (which is a Catholic doctrine), and Salvation is a free gift for anyone to accept (not earn or gain) but it can be lost by our (bad) works. All I know is it is like heads and tails on a coin; you may be looking at one side at a time but you know the other one must be there too.
Yes. I don't like the OSAS doctrine. I'm not sure if IP holds it, but I do find is unbiblical. It's something that sprung up in the Protestant reformation. Not historical Christianity. Not bashing Protestants at all! Just saying...
What about those who didn't get baptized or had a chance to do good works, yet they believed in Jesus? For example: the thief on the cross next to Jesus.
Christon Han It's called Baptism by the blood. Water baptism is equal to this. Water baptism is an outward symbol of something that is really happening in those moments. You Evangelicals are right when you say it is an outward symbol of salvation. You are wrong when you say that something happened in the past, and water baptism is not needed for this. What happens in baptism is God gives you his sanctifying grace. One is then justified/sanctified. Water baptism is the usual form for this. In certain circumstances, like the thief on the cross, baptism of the blood is what happened. And as I said, it's equal to water baptism because the same things happen. Works helps with the process of salvation. They make one more holy, helping to avoid sin. However, they are only works that are good if done in a state of grace. Outside of grace, works mean nothing.
Even when no good deeds follow... your faith is still counted as righteousness. Even dead faith can get you eternal life.
i know you commented this 3 weeks ago, but amen brother. god doesnt need our works to prove what he can already see in our hearts
„Do you want to be shown, you foolish person, that faith apart from works is useless? Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up his son Isaac on the altar? You see that faith was active along with his works, and faith was completed by his works; and the Scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness”-and he was called a friend of God. You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone. For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also faith apart from works is dead.“
James 2:20-24, 26
@@wolvadora9049 faith is useless without works. if you have faith and you dont work at all you are still saved (1 cor 3:13-15).
example of an "alive faith": if you see a homeless man sitting down, your faith doesnt feed him, but your faith abiding in christ does feed him. and that work will be rewarded to you in heaven (rev 22:12).
example of a "dead" faith/ useless faith: you see a homeless man sitting down, but you dont feed him (even though you are able to feed him) your faith is dead (useless).
Paul is saying that we are justified in God's sight by faith. James is saying we are shown to be justified in the sight of men by what we do. The example of Abraham and Rahab clearly shows this.
To Mike Hamlin; it appears Paul and James (the brother of Jesus) are at odds with each other here. (So what is a man to do?) Maybe one could read what Paul says about the doctrine of Jesus Christ: Hebrews 6:1 Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go unto perfection... (Well, it looks like Paul is at odds with Jesus' doctrine too (Note: this is just one of the many times Paul goes against Jesus' doctrine). But basically Paul is saying to leave the doctrine of Christ. Also what Paul is saying is that Jesus' doctrine were not perfect, and or failed to bring perfection. ( I'll go with Jesus. I hope you do too. )
What a warped interpretation. Paul was saying now that you have learned the basic teachings of Jesus, continue on to spritual maturity by learning more in depth doctrine given by the Lord.
Mike Hamlin I hope (for your sake) your not saying, that you view the statement of; "I'll go with Jesus" as being warped.
No! I was referring to your interpretation of Hebrews
6:1.
Mike Hamlin the statement in Hebrews 6:1 *Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ*; is easy enough to understand. Unless one is in denial that Paul could ever speak against Christ and or the words of God.
To sum up this video here's what James said. "I will show you my FAITH by my WORKS. James 2:18"
James clearly shows that genuine faith produces works. They work hand in hand and are not contrasting.
Maybe this will help.
My works that justify my faith is Jesus Christ.
it says in the bible God justifies the believer.
also man is justified by his works, therefore Jesus is my good and perfect works.
If your works in the flesh is what you think justifies you, then your faith is dead. Dead works can't save you.
Jesus is the only savior, there is salvation by no other, therefore he =Your works, because the works(filthy rags) you do in the flesh aren't alive, can't speak, and can't save you.
The wages of sin (your works in the flesh) is death.
To sum it Up:
Jesus=savior,works,justifier
Yeah but it's not the works that save you.
I think the issue is with the word “alone” in sola fide. Faith is never alone
No. You are ignoring all of the other words: "it is not of yourselves," "it is a gift of God," "not by works," "it is by grace..." Grace means God giving you what you do not deserve. If you add faith with anything then that becomes effort. Once it becomes effort, then it is earned. Grace also means God doing for you what you cannot do yourself. Salvation requires perfection. We cannot achieve nor maintain salvation. It is only a gift. You cannot mix grace and works because works cancels grace (Romans 11:6).
Again, this fails to prove sola fide. All that is being said is that faith infuses grace within our souls, which enables us to maintain salvific faith. But the maintenance of that salvific faith is work itself, it’s a working faith. This is what the Council of Trent teaches.
It’s also pretty clear in the book of Hebrews and James that salvific faith is not “alone” (James 2:21-25, Hebrews 11:17, Romans 4:19-22)
To have faith is obedience and work.
@@jordanp3470 Be careful to not trust in your own righteousness because you will cancel your salvation. Galatians 5:4 says, “You who are trying to be justified by law have been alienated from Christ you have fallen away from grace.” If you try to become just by the law, you will be alienated from Christ and fall away from grace. Romans 3:20 says, “Therefore, no one will be declared righteous in His sight by observing the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of sin.” If you trust in works, you will not be declared righteous.
Romans 11:6 says that mixing works to grace (faith) cancels grace (salvation). It reads, “And if by grace, then it is no longer by works; if it were, grace would no longer be grace.” The word “grace” means God giving you what you do not deserve. If you were to add works, then you are deserving it because you are earning it, thus cancelling grace.
It is important to define salvation. Salvation requires perfection. One must keep all of the law for the law to save. God is going to judge us based on the entire law or if we are covered in the blood of Christ. Galatians 3:10 says, “All who rely on observing the law are under a curse, for it is written: ‘Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law.’” James said that if we break one command then we are guilty of breaking them all. We have to be perfect in order to not fall short of God’s glory and righteous standard.
You should read the Bible more slowly. If you look closely, James is saying the opposite in James 2:21-25 of what Paul says in Romans 4. James is trying to prove it is by works. Paul is proving that it is by faith alone. Read Romans 4 slowly. If you go back to the original story, which is Paul’s point, you’ll discover that Abraham was declared righteous by faith alone before Isaac was even born! (Genesis 15:6)
James and Paul said several things that appear to contradict each other. But the Bible is without contradiction, which proves that Paul and James are not even talking about the same topic. They are talking about 2 totally different things! Paul is teaching how to get saved for Heaven. James is teaching how to maintain fellowship with God (which does require works).
@@statesman6379
Grace doesn't require faith either.
@@Mavors1099 Ephesians 2:8 says, "For it is by grace you have been saved through faith..." Grace does require faith.
Well said, brother! I'll be sure to spread this around. And good job on describing my backwards-faith-journey in a nutshell. :D
@julianclarke8160lol you expect people to read your 5 page thesis. 😂
James' example spells it out. What good is it to say to someone hungry "be filled"? Words do no good. You must act
What James meant was works is the evidence of your faith, not the means to salvation.
@@ImmyT89
How do you know this? You talked to James?
Faith as a mere intellectual act, without works, does not get you to Heaven.
@nkalou9002 How do I know? Thru proper exegesis of James.
If salvation was works based, then Christianity wouldn't have been revolutionary. It wouldn't be different from other false religions like Islam, Roman Catholicism, Judaism etc.. (which are all works based).
The teaching of Christ was revolutionary, and it still is. The emphasis of the gospel is on grace, through faith, and not by the good deeds-works-which we do. Instead of demanding sinless perfection and sacrifice, or some subjective judgment, God was offering forgiveness of sins and an eternal home with Him for all who believe in Christ. This leads to an important question: "What does it mean to have a saving belief in Christ?" This is the issue James is tackling in this part of Scripture.
Reading James in its proper context with the rest of the New Testament answers this. In this case, James is making a crucial point about the gospel: simple mental agreement is not enough. "Head knowledge" is not the same as "Trust." Salvation does not come when a person agrees to the facts of Christ's life, death, and resurrection. Accepting Christ is not like agreeing that the city of Lincoln is the capital of Nebraska. Such a "belief" requires no response, no action. That is not the "saving faith" James is talking about. In verses 15 and 16, James also pointed out that merely claiming something does not make the claim true. A person who says "I believe," but does nothing to support such a belief, does not actually believe what they have claimed. James makes clear that saving faith in Christ is active and transformative. Salvation is about placing our trust in Christ; this necessarily transforms us in such a way that we begin to make new and different choices. Living faith in Christ changes the direction of a person's life. It always results in the believer beginning to participate in good works. Where there are no works, there is only a dead "words only" faith-the kind James refers to in the first part of verse 14.
It's important to note here what James is not saying. He is not in any sense claiming that salvation requires good works. He's not talking about following the law or being perfectly sinless. He's talking about doing good works that are consistent with loving other Christians and obeying the Father. That's what those who trust in Christ begin to do. In other words, we are saved only by faith, and this faith which saves will produce good works. According to James, those who lack works are not saved-not because they lack works, but because their lack of works proves that they lack saving faith.
We do not serve God by "ought" but by "want."
Yes. This is true and there is no good works there is no real faith.
What do you mean?
Just gonna do both. Have faith and let the Holy Spirit in me do the work but also just do the work because I want to
Well, you quoted Ephesians 2:8-9, but the solution is in verse 10. I can never figure out why people leave out verse 10, which essentially completes the sentence/thought being expressed by Saint Paul.
The works that God has foreordained we should do through His grace are what makes us "the apple of His eye." And yet we do not give up one iota of our free will. His grace entices us like a man seeking riches who finds them strewn along a path. Of course he decides to take that path! But we are men seeking God, and so He sets before us a path strewn with grace, which we walk upon without hesitation; and even though it be a narrow and a rocky path, we walk upon it with great joy.
You nailed it IP!
A good companion to this video is IP's one about the Book of Job. This one and that one really makes thing clear - at least it did for me. Thank you IP.
Jesus Christ said: "This is the work of God that you believe in him whom he has sent."
Looks like faith (πίστις) is a work (έργον) according to the Word of God himself.
Faith is a virtue that derives from humility and ultimately love. Without love one is without God, who is love.
It is love that works salvation and that is salvation.
One who separates from love, separates from God, who is life.
Amen brother! This is exactly what I've been saying for ages. Works are evidence of our faith, not the merit of our salvation.
This is an excellent video outlining why salvation is through grace, but works are a manifestation of faith.
The bible says we are saved by grace, but will be judged by our works.
@@truecatholic8692 Please take time to read this. There are two separate judgments in the Bible. Believers who put their faith in Jesus are saved but will still be judged at the Judgment Seat of Christ (Romans 14:10-12). This judgment does not determine salvation (Ephesians 2:8-9), but rather is the time when believers must give an account of their lives in service to Christ. Every believer will give an account of himself, and the Lord will judge the decisions he made. Believers will be rewarded based on those good works, how faithfully we served Christ (1 Corinthians 9:4-27), how well we obeyed the Great Commission (Matthew 28:18-20), how victorious we were over sin (Romans 6:1-4), how well we controlled our tongues (James 3:1-9), etc.
The second judgment is that of unbelievers who will be judged at the Great White Throne Judgment (Revelation 20:11-15). Everyone at the Great White Throne is an unbeliever who has rejected Christ in life and is therefore already doomed to the lake of fire. Revelation 20:12 says that unbelievers will be “judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.” Those who have rejected Christ as Lord and Savior will be judged based on their works alone, and because the Bible tells us that “by the works of the Law no flesh will be justified” (Galatians 2:16), they will be condemned. No amount of good works and the keeping of God’s laws can be sufficient to atone for sin. All their thoughts, words and actions will be judged against God’s perfect standard and found wanting. There will be no reward for them, only eternal condemnation and punishment.
The reason why Jesus died for us was to fulfil the Law because it is impossible for man to do. It is only when you put your faith in Jesus that you are saved. Trust in the finish work of Jesus Christ. When we do this, Jesus promises us that we will no longer be under the curse of the law. We no longer need to pay for our sins because he already paid it in full.
I believe many of the contradictions would be cleared up if we defined first what salvation is. We need to know what salvation is before we discuss if faith or works is more important. It seems clear to me that salvation is not a one time event but a process of becoming. I reference again Philippians 2:12-13. We were saved, we are being saved and we will be saved are all true statements that fit man's journey toward becoming Christ-like. Depending on the angle you are viewing salvation, both faith and works are important. Salvation is ultimately entering and remaining in the eternal relationship of love that the Father has with the Son and the Holy Spirit. Relationships require both faith and work.
I agree... the Lord is cutting off all of the branches that don't bear fruit... we are a constant work in progress in this lifetime, and maybe beyond... his will will be done
@@ryansymons8915 Well salvation is past, present, and future. It is the "state of being saved" = "state of being justified" = "salvation" = "state of being declared righteous". Once viewed this way works flows from faith and salvation. Not the other way around. "Working out" does not mean "working toward" salvation. Salvation incorporates work, yes, but this does NOT deny sola fide. Sola fide is about attaining salvation.
Keep it up!...I have learned a lot from your videos...Don't let lack of knowledge and understanding on people who comment get you down...I know I was frustrated just from reading them. People who disagree with this video have preconceptions of God that they were taught that they didn't take the time to reference to the Bible and God. More importantly to understand a relationship they don't have. Some one who is single cannot fully understand what its like to be in a successful marriage by being single no matter how much he is told what its like. The world tries to understand God without having a relationship with Him and doesn't seek Him and the truth that is there written in His word.
+Mark Stinson Thanks!
InspiringPhilosophy you've helped me a lot as well. I was raised in a Pentecostal household. It's been really hard since I've started having revelations. Even now, it is difficult to have complete security in my salvation, especially when everyone in the comment section twists scripture and take it completely out of context to run their own agenda. It's been a difficult time, but God never promised an easy time
Faith = Belief Belief in something produces action What comes first Faith then Action If you go to work you have Faith your Boss will pay you therefore you work but you are payed as a result of your work you had to have Faith or Belief your boss would pay you before you worked or you would not go but with Salvation your Faith came first and you where given Salvation you Believed Gods word but you where not payed as a boss that owes you for your labor witch is and obligation your where given the Gift of God through Gods Grace Salvation and Eternal Life in Christ Jesus.Your works are and outward sign of your Faith and Belief Your Salvation is a Gift not and Obligation ,There not debating Salvation in these passages there Examining ones heart,,,To add any action other then what Christ has done is to bring him down from the cross ,
There is another, really simple way to put all this. Do you, upon being saved, cease functioning? Do you cease being active in your day-to-day? Are you saved and then disintegrate your corporeal form and subsequently merge homogenously into the ineffable Divine? No? Then since you must function, since you must act and since you are an identity distinct from God, it follows that salvation entails dovetailing your actions in God consciousness. Everything you do ought to have God at the center.
This understanding doesn't just apply to Christianity either.
As a catholic we agree much more than you think. Belief is how you live your life.
We build upside down kingdoms the Lord has built His correctly. Great vid!
Awesome video IP as usual. Great new intro too.
Dear friends, Please do not leave out obedience. We are commanded to be baptised for the remission of sins.
We are baptized in the Holy Spirit when we trust in Christ and his shed blood. No need for water baptism anymore
@@slaphappy18 That's just not true. The Bible is exceedingly clear that water baptism is required. But, is it the physical act of immersing a body in water; or is it the inner willingness to commit to follow Christ, strive to ever repent and take His name upon us that is saving? Clearly it is latter. But that willingness and commitment is not complete without baptism, and baptism good for nothing without that humble, willing and contrite heart. God has commended, and we MUST obey.
@@chrishumphries7489 we don't receive the Holy Spirit through water baptism, we receive the Spirit after hearing and believing the gospel. If it is required, why did Paul say that Christ did not send him to baptize, but to preach the gospel? And what about all the people in the book of Acts who received the Holy Spirit by only hearing the gospel without baptism? Thief on the cross? Or maybe you believe we can lose salvation. You're making works a part of salvation, and if obedience to Christ is required, don't forget to "sin no more" like Jesus also said to do and to sell everything you have and give it to the poor
@@slaphappy18 I'll answer your points:
1) Anyone can feel the influence of the Holy Spirit when truth is being taught. But the GIFT of the Holy Ghost, the second essential part of baptism is ONLY received by the laying on of hands after baptism.
Acts 2:38, "Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost."
Acts 8:15-19, "Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost:
(For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.) Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost. And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles' hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money, Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost."
Acts 9:17, "And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost."
Acts 19:2-6, "He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost.
And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized?...And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied."
1 Corinthians 1:17 (Paul saying that He was not sent to baptize, but to preach) MUST be read in context. He says this because there is are arguments and divisions among the saints claiming authority and prominence according to who had specifically baptized them (see verse 10-16). Paul is saying "it doesn't matter!" He says that he (an Apostle) was not even sent to baptize (this could easily be done at a local level), but He was called, ordained and sent to be an Apostle; to be a leader in the church and teach correct doctrine. That's what this whole passage is about.
2) Thief on the cross is one of the most misunderstood passages of scripture. What did Christ say to him? He said, "this day thou shalt be with me in paradise" (Luke 23:43). Were did Christ go when He died? His Spirit went to paradise, Abraham's bosom, the rest of the just, etc. Christ did not ascend to Heaven at that time. When He is resurrected, He says to Mary Magdalen, "touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God" (John 20:17). Jesus went to the world of Sprits, which is divided into paradise (Abraham's bosom) and prison (Hades, Sheol, etc.). No-one goes to Heaven until AFTER they are resurrected and judged. Jesus did not say Heaven, he said paradise, which is correct.
3) Before judgement, we absolutely can lose our salvation.
Hebrews 10:26-27, 29, "For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,
But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries... Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?"
Hebrews 6:4-6, "For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost,
And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.
Romans 11:18-12, "....For if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he also spare not thee.
Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off."
2 Peter 2:20-21, " For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning.
For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them.
After judgement, then salvation can never be taken from us.
4) Effort is required for salvation. The Bible is very clear on this. But this effort must be in real, true faith. No amount of works will ever save us and that's not how salvation works. At the same time, no amount of mere passive belief will save us either (James 2:14). What is required is real faith and real faith always produces action and invites God's power into those actions (Hebrews 11). Faith is not mere "belief." Faith is an active belief, hope and trust in God that causes us to act. This is why real faith is saving! Dead works not done in faith (like the now dead Law of Moses) shows no more faith in the living God. But real faith causes us to FOLLOW Christ. We don't need to be perfect right away, just ever willing to be humble, repent ever let Him refine us. This is what saves.
@@chrishumphries7489 it is about Jesus, Not about your OWN merits. lol...
eph 2:8-9. romans 4:5
No. You need to do good works to maintain your salvation. That doesn't mean that is the primary reason for it. But it is needed. If you say good works aren't needed for salvation than those who were saved if they sin however much they want because they can't help it what would that mean? Than some Protestants would say once saved always saved or aome would say they weren't saved in the first place. In short it is possible to lose salvation if you aren't following Jesus with your works.
Then works save you and you would have a right to boast in heaven. For by Grace are ye saved THROUGH FAITH and that NOT OF YOURSELVES, it is a gift of God, NOT OF WORKS, LEST ANY MAN SHOULD BOAST. -Ephesians 2:8-9
You’re spreading a false gospel, your works have NOTHING to do with your salvation, otherwise you could boast in heaven and what Jesus did wasn’t enough for you to be saved
@@TakenByET You are saved vy grace but maintain your salavtion with works.
@snokehusk223 The Bible does NOT teach that eternal life requires "to do good works to maintain your salvation" as you state. According to Jesus Christ Himself, true Biblical GOSPEL is that ETERNAL LIFE with instant permanent justification before God is a FREE GIFT (apart from any works) that is received the moment a person places belief (i.e., trust, reliance) in Jesus Christ ALONE.
Eternal life is a FREE GIFT received only by GRACE through BELIEF in Jesus Christ:
Jesus Christ said, “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.” -John 3:16
Jesus Christ “… was delivered over because of our transgressions, and was raised because of our justification.” -Romans 4:25
“For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” -Romans 6:23
“For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.” -Ephesians 2:8-9
Jesus Christ and His Apostles clearly taught in the Bible that eternal life is only available to those who believe in Him without adding their own deeds:
“Therefore they said to Him, ‘What shall we do, so that we may work the works of God?’ Jesus answered and said to them, ‘This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He has sent.’” -John 6:28-29
Jesus said: “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me HAS EVERLASTING LIFE. ” - John 6:47
“For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from works of the Law.” -Romans 3:28
“But we are all like an unclean thing, And all our righteousnesses are like filthy rags; We all fade as a leaf, And our iniquities, like the wind, Have taken us away.” -Isaiah 64:6
“For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God. For what does Scripture say? ‘Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.’ Now to the one who works, his wage is not credited as a favor but as what is due. But to the one who does not work, but believes in Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is credited as righteousness, just as David speaks of the blessing on the man to whom God credits righteousness apart from works.” -Romans 4:2-6
According to the Bible, receiving eternal life does NOT require the works of following Jesus with good works over time. Instead, Jesus taught that once a person believes in Him for eternal life, one has permanently passed from death into eternal life that can never be lost.
“…he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me HAS EVERLASTING LIFE, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life.” -John 5:24
The verb translated in English as “has passed” is μεταβεβηκεν which is in the perfect tense active indicative (third person singular-see biblehub.com/lexicon/john/5-24.htm). The perfect verb tense in NT Greek connotes a one time action with continuing results. “If you remember that the meaning of the word perfect is complete, then you can remember that the perfect tense has to do with completed action. But the perfect tense is a primary tense because it emphasizes the present, or ongoing result of a completed action.” The third person singular makes clear that the person believing in Jesus is the personal recipient of the one time action with continuing results. Thus Jesus is making clear that the person who “believes in Him” as a one time action is the recipient of the continuing result of having “passed from death into life.”
In fact, the Bible clearly teaches that adding your own payment of good works to Jesus Christ’s sacrifice for us is actually rejecting God’s offer of the FREE GIFT of forgiveness and eternal life. What you pay for is not really a gift. We must trust ONLY in Jesus Christ’s perfect sacrifice for us.
“For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God. For what does Scripture say? ‘Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.’ Now to the one who works, his wage is not credited as a favor but as what is due. But to the one who does not work, but believes in Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is credited as righteousness, just as David speaks of the blessing on the man to whom God credits righteousness apart from works.” -Romans 4:2-6
“But if it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works, otherwise grace is no longer grace.” -Romans 11:6
In the New Testament book of Galatians, the Apostle Paul made it clear that adding works to faith for eternal justification and eternal life is a DIFFERENT “gospel” which is NOT really “good news” (the literal meaning of “gospel”).
“…a person is not justified by the works of the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ. So we, too, have put our faith in Christ Jesus that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law, because by the works of the law no one will be justified. … I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing!” -Galatians 2:15-16, 21
When the Galatians started following a false teacher who urged them to add works to their faith, the Apostle Paul condemned that teaching as a “different gospel, which is not another.”:
“I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel, which is not another; but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ. But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so now I say again, if anyone preaches any other gospel to you than what you have received, let him be accursed.” -Galatians 1:6-9
If you never believed in Jesus Christ ALONE apart from your own continuing good works, then you have sadly rejected the FREE GIFT of eternal life and you have NOT "passed from death into life" (John 5:24). If you add the payment of your own good works to faith in Jesus Christ, you have NOT received the FREE GIFT of eternal life, and you are on your way to eternal separation from God. It is not a GIFT if you pay any amount for it by your "good works." So I urge you to believe in Jesus Christ and His finished work of paying for the penalty of our sin on the cross and in His resurrection for our justification ALONE without depending on adding your own works to earn eternal life.
--Bible Professor Al, Ph.D., Th.D.
works happen IN faith. They are inseperable
Just like the perfect God He is, He wants us to behave bc we love Him. God is love
What enabled us to do good works is GRACE... It is by responding from Grace that we are saved... Faith also is a response from Grace... Both Faith & Good works are both a response from GRACE... We do good works because we respond to the same GRACE that enabled us to have Faith... Responding to God's GRACE is the Will of our Father that becomes also our will from free will... Thus FAITH justifies us that made us part of the Body of Christ and doing good works thereafter continues to Save us (Being part of the Body). However, when we sin, we separate ourselves from the Body and thus need to reconciles us again and without reconciliation, we forfeit ourselves from the Salvation freely given thru Grace.
Whoever believes shall be saved, no requirement but that. Yet so many people in this comment section wishes to keep ignoring a promise and control the meaning of God's Word.
Won't there be those who say to him lord lord and shall not enter the kingdom?
@@christophersnedeker2065 And what makes you think those people aren't the ones who say Jesus is Lord but add requirements of us to be saved? Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved is as clear and simple as it can get. God said that anything not of faith is sin, but believing in yourself for salvation is not having faith in God.
@@thefurycommander1843 if I believe Jesus is Lord but do not the things that he says, I am one who says to him Lord Lord and do not the things that he says.
He lists one thing we must do besides believe to be saved and that's forgive our enemies.
@@christophersnedeker2065 If you believe you have to forgive your enemies to be saved, you do not believe in Jesus as your savior.
Matthew 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.
John 6:40
And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.
Jesus saves, not you.
Good stuff! Love this channel! Keep it up, brother!
PERFECT VIDEO.... hit the nail on the head.
@Danilo Alves Funny you should ask... no, I am no longer a Christian.
@@9TheMiddleMan9 why aren’t you anymore?
@@Kra_LechHi
@@9TheMiddleMan9Why aren't you a Christian anymore. You should return to your father
Whatever the story is. Salvation is not something we earn. It is a gift we receive by faith in Jesus Christ alone.
It is a promise of God as any other promise God gave our ancestors of faith.
1 Peter 1:10-12Easy-to-Read Version (ERV)
10 The prophets studied carefully and tried to learn about this salvation. They spoke about the grace that was coming to you.
11 The Spirit of Christ was in those prophets. And the Spirit was telling about the sufferings that would happen to Christ and about the glory that would come after those sufferings.
The prophets tried to learn about what the Spirit was showing them-when it would happen and what the world would be like at that time.
12 It was made clear to them that their service was not for themselves. They were serving you when they told about the things you have now heard. You heard them from those who told you the Good News with the help of the Holy Spirit sent from heaven. Even the angels would like very much to know more about these things you were told.
Philippians 2:12-13Easy-to-Read Version (ERV)
Be the People God Wants You to Be
12 My dear friends, you always obeyed what you were taught. Just as you obeyed when I was with you, it is even more important for you to obey now that I am not there.
So you must continue to live in a way that gives meaning to your salvation. Do this with fear and respect for God.
13 Yes, it is God who is working in you. He helps you want to do what pleases him, and he gives you the power to do it.
All promises of God are received by faith. What we do is work this salvation out with fear and trembling.
I agree with these thoughts but I believe that there is a second type of "work" that the scriptures tell us about and that is required for our salvation. I am thinking about the concept of synergy expressed in the eastern orthodox church which I believe is alluded to in Philippians 2:12 "continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling."
No works save read titus3vs5
Work out, not "work towards" or "work on". As in "working out" like working out the meaning of something or working out an (already existing) problem. Salvation is already achieved not required for salvation.
I know I'm REALLY late to the party here, but I think the whole "faith v works" debate pushes people into a flase dichotomy. You can't rely wholly upon mere belief or wholly upon works. They are united in our justification. Love your channel, bro ✌️
You weren't paying attention
dichotomy: a division or contrast between two things that are or are represented as being opposed or entirely different. You couldn't be any more wrong than you are. Read what Paul says about faith and works and how he explains that faith is NOT a work. He is absolutely contrasting the difference because there is not a single work you or anyone can do to pay the ransom for even the smallest of sins.
@@r.fortner4661 that's not what I said at all but alright
@@r.fortner4661 see James chapter 2. "We are not justified by faith alone", and "faith without works is dead." Faith and works are united together. Our faithfulness to Christ is what ransoms us from our sins, and our works which stem from that faithfulness help us to grow in holiness. Idk how you got "our works ransom us from sin" from that. Talk about reading too deep into it.
@@michaeldavidson6903 when Catholics say they believe in a purgatory and that their time in purgatory is lessened by the works that they do, they are essentially saying that works are playing some role in the compensation for their sin. And you guys always bring up James in this argument. James cannot be disputing the clear message from Paul about the role of faith and its contrast to works. He is clear that faith is all that's necessary to receive salvation by grace. James is just highlighting that with faith comes the true believers desire to do God's will. Every believer is driven to work for God and his desires. To conclude that works is an intrinsic element to achieve salvation is in direct contradiction to Paul, therefore the RC Church and the Council of Trent is wrong when it anathematizes those who believe what Paul wrote.
Such a blessing to see this. Thankyou :)
@Julian Clarke last u checked Christ did not come yet? What exactly did u check k out? Check again... check out the book "Evidence that deserves a verdict" and read or listen to Gary Habermas the world's leading authority on The Ressurection. But there are so many other sources as well and a plethora of ancient texts and writers as well as modern day scholars.
Of course faith alone doesn't save. The devil has faith there is a God and the devil know who God is. But there's no redemption for him because he refuses to gave faith IN God. The devil only has faith THAT there is a God but no faith IN God.
We can't have faith in our hearts and on our lips and not translate it into action. That's why James says "faith without works is dead faith". The faith that Gospel and the New Testament talks about is about pistis... ACTIVE TRUST. Christ's sacrifice on the cross is a sufficient condition but is also requires us to satisfy the necessary condition of taking a step of trust IN HIM as our savior. How? You can try to keep all the laws but you will never fully succeed. What then? And what of sins and past sins? If you claim that God will forgive those who ask then that wud be a sign of His mercy but not a sign of a JUST God. And God being the standard of all virtue is both merciful AND just. A just God cannot forgive at the expense of Justice. And that is the story of the cross... that He transferred our sins and unrighteousness on to Him and applied His righteousness to our guilty accounts. Our sin debt has been paid. By the blood of Jesus. All the verses you quote speak about the law in context of also a saving grace coz no one... NO ONE... NOT A SINGLE ONE can keep all the laws so perfectly in thought word and deed. Motive... motive... can ANYONE be SO GOOD that every law kept and every good deed done is so pure... that one does these things for no gain? Only for the good of the other? What's the standard to get to God? How many laws shld be kept? How often? Evey law? Every time? Is this possible? If not then whats the solution? That's grace... the unmerited forgiveness of God. God does not show mercy AT the expense of justice but THROUGH justice shouldered by Christ on the cross... for you and for me and whole world.
Ur videos are great thank GOD FOR YOU MY Fav Was about Job
I believe that many Christians have misunderstood the verses Ephesians 2:8-10 - that God's grace alone can save you. No.
The "work" that these verses are referring to is man's self-rightousness and pride in their own work -- that's why it said "lest any man should boast". Meaning, we should not work on our own and be prideful of what we accomplished without God..because all our abilities, intelligence, and talents have all been bestowed to us by God.
We are still required to do good works - with God as our guide...as it is said in Ephesians 2:10
Dictionary says "unto" is another form of the word "to".
And so, in Ephesians 2:10 where it says"For we are his (God's) workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto (to) good works..." this means we are created to do good works in the name of Jesus and as guided by God.
And what are those good works?? Didnt Jesus say (i forgot which part in the bible He said these): "for when I am hungry, you fed me, when Im naked you clothed me (im paraphrasing)....when you do these to one of my brothers, you do it to Me (or something to these effects).
Meaning, our good works should be done unto (to) others by loving our enemies, feeding the hungry, clothing and sheltering the poor, and not being judgemental of others (lest we be judged).
Without good works, your faith is dead and has no meaning -- and so you will not be worthy to receive God's grace.
@untaughtbiblelessons The Bible does NOT teach that "Without good works, your faith is dead and has no meaning -- and so you will not be worthy to receive God's grace" as you state. “But we are all like an unclean thing, And all our righteousnesses are like filthy rags; We all fade as a leaf, And our iniquities, like the wind, Have taken us away.” -Isaiah 64:6. Jesus Himself, and the Epistles of the New Testament make it clear that NO ONE is "worthy to receive God's grace" and the very Biblical definition of "grace" is "unmerited favor." So if you think your "good works" MERIT God's grace (unmerited favor), that is a logical contradiction of the Biblical concept of what God's GRACE is as a FREE GIFT!!
According to Jesus Christ Himself, true Biblical GOSPEL is that ETERNAL LIFE with instant permanent justification before God is a FREE GIFT (apart from any works) that is received the moment a person places belief (i.e., trust, reliance) in Jesus Christ ALONE.
Eternal life is a FREE GIFT received only by GRACE through BELIEF in Jesus Christ:
Jesus Christ said, “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.” -John 3:16
Jesus Christ “… was delivered over because of our transgressions, and was raised because of our justification.” -Romans 4:25
“For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” -Romans 6:23
“For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.” -Ephesians 2:8-9
Jesus Christ and His Apostles clearly taught in the Bible that eternal life is only available to those who believe in Him without adding their own deeds:
“Therefore they said to Him, ‘What shall we do, so that we may work the works of God?’ Jesus answered and said to them, ‘This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He has sent.’” -John 6:28-29
Jesus said: “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me HAS EVERLASTING LIFE. ” - John 6:47
“For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from works of the Law.” -Romans 3:28
“But we are all like an unclean thing, And all our righteousnesses are like filthy rags; We all fade as a leaf, And our iniquities, like the wind, Have taken us away.” -Isaiah 64:6
“For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God. For what does Scripture say? ‘Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.’ Now to the one who works, his wage is not credited as a favor but as what is due. But to the one who does not work, but believes in Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is credited as righteousness, just as David speaks of the blessing on the man to whom God credits righteousness apart from works.” -Romans 4:2-6
According to the Bible, receiving eternal life does NOT require the works of following Jesus with good works over time. Instead, Jesus taught that once a person believes in Him for eternal life, one has permanently passed from death into eternal life that can never be lost.
“…he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me HAS EVERLASTING LIFE, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life.” -John 5:24
The verb translated in English as “has passed” is μεταβεβηκεν which is in the perfect tense active indicative (third person singular-see biblehub.com/lexicon/john/5-24.htm). The perfect verb tense in NT Greek connotes a one time action with continuing results. “If you remember that the meaning of the word perfect is complete, then you can remember that the perfect tense has to do with completed action. But the perfect tense is a primary tense because it emphasizes the present, or ongoing result of a completed action.” The third person singular makes clear that the person believing in Jesus is the personal recipient of the one time action with continuing results. Thus Jesus is making clear that the person who “believes in Him” as a one time action is the recipient of the continuing result of having “passed from death into life.”
In fact, the Bible clearly teaches that adding your own payment of good works to Jesus Christ’s sacrifice for us is actually rejecting God’s offer of the FREE GIFT of forgiveness and eternal life. What you pay for is not really a gift. We must trust ONLY in Jesus Christ’s perfect sacrifice for us.
“For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God. For what does Scripture say? ‘Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.’ Now to the one who works, his wage is not credited as a favor but as what is due. But to the one who does not work, but believes in Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is credited as righteousness, just as David speaks of the blessing on the man to whom God credits righteousness apart from works.” -Romans 4:2-6
“But if it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works, otherwise grace is no longer grace.” -Romans 11:6
In the New Testament book of Galatians, the Apostle Paul made it clear that adding works to faith for eternal justification and eternal life is a DIFFERENT “gospel” which is NOT really “good news” (the literal meaning of “gospel”).
“…a person is not justified by the works of the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ. So we, too, have put our faith in Christ Jesus that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law, because by the works of the law no one will be justified. … I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing!” -Galatians 2:15-16, 21
When the Galatians started following a false teacher who urged them to add works to their faith, the Apostle Paul condemned that teaching as a “different gospel, which is not another.”:
“I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel, which is not another; but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ. But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so now I say again, if anyone preaches any other gospel to you than what you have received, let him be accursed.” -Galatians 1:6-9
If you never believed in Jesus Christ ALONE apart from your own continuing good works, then you have sadly rejected the FREE GIFT of eternal life and you have NOT "passed from death into life" (John 5:24). If you add the payment of your own good works to faith in Jesus Christ, you have NOT received the FREE GIFT of eternal life, and you are on your way to eternal separation from God. It is not a GIFT if you pay any amount for it by your "good works." So I urge you to believe in Jesus Christ and His finished work of paying for the penalty of our sin on the cross and in His resurrection for our justification ALONE without depending on adding your own works to earn eternal life.
--Bible Professor Al, Ph.D., Th.D.
John 6:28-29Amplified Bible (AMP)
28 They then said, What are we to do, that we may [habitually] be working the works of God? [What are we to do to carry out what God requires?]
29 Jesus replied, This is the work (service) that God asks of you: that you believe in the One Whom He has sent [that you cleave to, trust, rely on, and have faith in His Messenger].
Nice video IP! This is exactly what Catholics teach! That works proves that you have true faith in God! I guess you were right when you said that Catholics and Protestants just use different terms when we talk about works. Also, are you free to read my private message now?
if you believe that you have to believe in His redeeming work *and* your faith-based works to inherit the Kingdom of God, then your faith won't save you.
filip s
faith based works only through the merits of Jesus Christ...
irememberyou12 What do you have to do until you die on this earth to inherit the kingdom of God?
First of all, you can't "do" anything in order to inherit everlasting life....all you can do is say yes to grace which is given.
second of all: this grace is given by God, whose only-begotten Son (Jesus Christ), by His life, death and resurrection has purchased for us the rewards of eternal life.
third: Holy Spirit,by virtue of baptism, gives us new life, as Jesus replies to NIcodemus, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit he cannot enter into the kingdom of God." (John 3:5)
irememberyou12 thanks.
I do need to say yes to grace which is given to inherit everlasting life?
It's NOT A CHOICE for Christians to DO good...it's a Command. "If you love me, Keep my commandments." And, "Faith without works, is DEAD." You can't say that it is a choice to do works. False teaching. It's like saying, "OK, now that I am saved by grace, I do not have to do anything...just have faith in Jesus, and I will be saved. Let my sinful friends go to hell."
Faith = Belief Belief in something produces action What comes first Faith then Action If you go to work you have Faith your Boss will pay you therefore you work but you are payed as a result of your work you had to have Faith or Belief your boss would pay you before you worked or you would not go but with Salvation your Faith came first and you where given Salvation you Believed Gods word but you where not payed as a boss that owes you for your labor witch is and obligation your where given the Gift of God through Gods Grace Salvation and Eternal Life in Christ Jesus.Your works are and outward sign of your Faith and Belief Your Salvation is a Gift not and Obligation ,There not debating Salvation in these passages there Examining ones heart,,,To add any action other then what Christ has done is to bring him down from the cross , You see once we place a requirement on are self for Salvation it no longer a Gift it set us up for Condemnation.....For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.if the wages of Sin of death then what happens when we sin again after Salvation is the Gift removed ,The Devil will have a field day with that a Guilt Party placing you in to bondage to your sin
Wrong
This video did a great explination of why classifying protestantism as saved by faith alone, and classifying Catholicism and orthodoxy as saved by faith and works are just lazy descriptions of what we Christians are divided on
The bible says we are saved by grace, but will be judged by our works. Neither of the diagrams are correct.
@@truecatholic8692 Correct
Works are the things we have to show for our faith "You will know them by their fruits." Matthew 7:16
What I really like about your video is you take a few minutes and simply explain why even though we are saved by Grace, works are still part of the equation. If you don't do any works are you truly saved. I would say no since if you do not have the desire to do works then you do not understand God's message. Nice job on the video.
Well if you're hit by a bus immediately after having faith...
You have a CHOICE to serve God. Dicipleship and salvation are seperate. Salvation is a free gift offered to anyone who will trust Jesus by faith. Dicipleship is something that requires alot of work and effort and can cost everything.
Now, I would say, only from my own expierence here, I got saved at 14, and I had an initial desire to do good, serve God, learn the Bible. (I have led others to the lord who did not seem to develop thease interests tho) but after some time I got chocked by the world. Then it's just been an up and down ride of backsliding and struggling and then serving God again. But that has nothing to do with salvation. I'm secure in christ, because he promised to save all who put there trust in him
So.....then Works PROVE that one is saved?
Not necessarily (Matthew 7:21-23). They are only evidence.
***** What does Romans 4:5 mean then...?...+ the thief on the cross + the parable of the Publican & the Pharisee.. and Justification by faith apart from works.? Do we obtain or inherit Eternal Life in an instant by faith in His finished work, or do we play a part progressively? How can our works play a role in our salvation if the doctrine of Justification is an instantaneous act upon faith in the gospel as told in 1 Corinthians 15: 2-4?.
Oh yea, and the entire book of John?
Honestly, I don't see...ever how our works or lack thereof, play any part in our salvation. If it's by faith alone.......then...............
BK Shmocko We inherit eternal life when we place our trust in Christ. What play out progressively is sanctification. Our works do not play a role in our salvation, they are produced by our salvation and our new faith.
***** Yes I agree. My point is to illustrate to the "works prove our salvation" crowd AKA "fruit inspector Christianity" that if Justification is an one time instantaneous act done in heaven the moment we go from unbelief to belief in Christ and His finished work on the cross, then what is the point in sizing up someones behavior and questioning their salvation? That false notion needs to disappear from the body once and for all. It creates doubt and produces turmoil in the already Justified.
BK Shmocko Please read James 2:14 where he poses the question, "can a person be saved by faith alone?" Read the following verses and tell me you think the answer to that question is yes. Try, please.
I disagree with your interpretation of James 2. James 2 is written to Christians who are saved which seems according to you would automatically have good works if they are truly saved. If that were true then there would be no purpose to James 2 since all true Christians would have good works. It is clear that good works are not required for salvation even Catholics believe this given that people on their death bed that get saved go to heaven. They had no good works. I interpret James 2 as dealing with justification with man not God. God knows our heart but man does not so if you want man to know you are saved then you need to show it through good works. Abraham was justified by faith to God but justified to man by willing to sacrifice Issac. He showed his faith to man. Eternal life is a result of believing in Jesus Christ. Acts 10:43 tells us that just believing we are forgiven of our sins. Santification is not automatic we still have a free will after salvation.
I really like your videos and agree with pretty much all of them except this one. I feel this interpretation of James 2 fits best with the rest of Bible.
I really enjoy your channel and hope to see more videos.
Perhaps I may be missing something sir, because the way you explained it is the way I understand the video.
This video is precisely what the Catholic Church teaches.
Nice try, but no it doesn't. My family is ALL catholic (hundreds of them) and they all believe that salvation is CONDITIONAL, that's why they are constantly jumping through hoops and doing stupid rituals trying to stay spiritually righteous. They live in a constant state of guilt, fear and shame and only feel a bit better for a few hours after their weekly mass. When I asked them if they are going to Heaven, then always say "I hope so", not, "yes, I am sure!"
ni stan They are right because even after the Initial salvation which is Via Baptism John 3:5,Acts 22.Acts 2 and 1 Peter 3,Christian can still lose the salvation because salvation is a process and thats the Catholic understanding and indeed Biblical understanding St Paul said in Phil 2 "Work out your own slavtion with the fear and trembling."Roman 2:6"He shall render every man according to his work"
Revelation 2 said"Remain faithful to the end and i shall give you the crown of life"What about those who dont remain to the end?St Paul was not even sure of his salvation 1 Cor 19 "I punish my body and enslave it so that after preaching i May shall also not be disqualified"
So person can lost salvation once saved is not always saved you are wrong.
The first person to espouse the idea of "once saved, always saved" was John Calvin in the mid-sixteenth century. Even Martin Luther didn’t subscribe to the theory. Prior to Calvin, the unanimous consent of the early Christians was that a person is capable of losing his salvation by committing mortal sin, as John spoke about in 1 John 5:16-17.
In the first century, the Didache, commonly known as the Teaching of the Twelve Apostles, said "Watch for your life’s sake. Let not your lamps be quenched, nor your loins unloosed; but be ready, for you know not the hour in which our Lord comes. But you shall assemble together often, seeking the things which are befitting to your souls: for the whole time of your faith will not profit you, if you be not made complete in the last time" (Didache 16 [A.D. 70]).
In the second century, Irenaeus wrote, "To Christ Jesus, our Lord, and God, and Savior, and King, according to the will of the invisible Father, ‘every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth, and that every tongue should confess’ [Phil. 2:10-11] to him, and that he should execute just judgment towards all. . . . The ungodly and unrighteous and wicked and profane among men [shall go] into everlasting fire; but [he] may, in the exercise of his grace, confer immortality on the righteous, and holy, and those who have kept his commandments, and have persevered in his love, some from the beginning [of their Christian course], and others from [the date of] their penance, and may surround them with everlasting glory" (Against Heresies 1:10:1 [A.D. 189]).
Such consistent testimony could be given from the dawn of Christianity until today, and no suggestion of "once saved, always saved" can be found on the lips of any Christian before Calvin.
ni stan That is actually not accurate. It has much to do with the fact that there is a crisis in the church regarding proper teaching of the faith and the fact that many Catholics are very lazy Catholics at that. The problem is lazy.and inadequate teaching even in the higher levels as ironic as it seems. I can assure you that the true teaching lays in the golden rule and that is what the Church tries to teach before it gets mangled in the schools and homilies and so forth.
Poké Craft - Does this "true teaching" teach that once a believer is saved, they cannot lose their salvation and that no other "works" or conditions apply?
One cannot lose their Salvation, Read Ephesians 1:13-14 and Romans 8 Which explicitly teach once we have God in us we cannot be separated from His love, not even by out own actions.
I am with Mark Stinson. I enjoy your videos a lot. Even if I don't agree 100% with what is said, it is always good to have a second opinion. Please keep producing these.
I would like to add a note about this particular video as it relates to faith + works. I STRONGLY believe as James ( Jacob ) says that the two MUST go together. I forget in which gospel it is and would appreciate it if you told me where to find it, BUT I remember a story where three lepers approached Jesus on the road to ...... They all begged him to heal them. He told them to walk down a road and explain to a Rabbi(?) what happened and who healed them. As the men walked the leprosy left them. There are many instances where Jesus required an action from someone to prove their faith. I believe we must prove our faith just as Abraham did by DOING what he tells us to do.
Again, bless you and thank you for making these vids and I hope you receive as much of a blessing making them as I do watching them. ( I really enjoyed the vid on the book of Job )
Do you think it is never possible or too difficult for anyone who has well-established Faith in Him to do good works ?
I never understood why people tried to complicate this topic. If I have faith in gravity I can jump without fear of flying into space. If I didn't have faith in gravity I wouldn't jump. Faith always proceeds action.
Christ be with you
that is not where the confusion is
We are told to receive eternal life we must obey (Heb 5:9)
unless you know something I don't I think eternal life need to be part of my salvation.
God bless you
Interesting. I guess it could be argued that a 'fruit of the Holy Spirit' is the desire to reach out and help others
Not necessarily. The desire to reach out and help others should come from the result of loving God who desires us to desire him first, and desires us to desire to love others second.
Okay Christon. Your head is messed up. Read EPHESIANS 5:9
Christon your head is really, really messed up. Who gives you the love of God but the Holy Spirit whose first fruit is love for God and others. Read ROMANS 5:5
Joshua Smith Yes amen!
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. (Galatians 5 NIV)
FAIRH WITHOUT WORKS IS DEAD
works are the fruit of the already existing faith, not the other way around. It's the same concept as saying you will buy a gift for someone, yet never actually buy the gift. it can best be summed up as "you talk the talk but can you walk the walk."
Where in the bible does it say that?
@@benjamind547 these are to examine one's faith, not to produce salvation.
Magist I’ve heard this interpretation before, and I want to go deep into this. What would be then your response to the actual passage that says, “Faith without works is dead”?
@@sapereaude6339 that 'faith' is the 'faith' of 'you said you have faith', waiting to be verified. other people verify the claim by observing the works. If still evil works, then we can be certain that the 'faith' is dead, i.e. devil also believes there is one God.
IP, do you think salvation is a process or a one time event? Paul uses the anaology of a race, and says he that endureth until the end shall be saved.
Salvation is a one time event. Sanctification is a process.
***** Well, we are justified/sanctified at out baptism by the free gift of Gods grace. But by grave sin, can loose that grace. Salvation is a process. Over time it is about drawing closer to God. It is about sinning less. I don't think salvation happens at one time. Our ultimate salvation is when we make it to heaven. Through our process, we are to attain unity with God. Divinization. As the eastern Christian Churches call it, Theosis. We become holy, just as he is holy. We stay out of sin more. We stay in the grace of God.
ὁ κατέχων Do we sin less on our own merit? And i think you are talking about the process of sanctification. Redemption happens at an instance. It is not like God cannot save us at once.
Well you see, works within itself is not the only thing. Works is only part of it. It leads us closer to holiness. Yes, I am talking about sanctification, but sanctification is what pushes us along, per se. The closer you become to God, the more Christ like you become, the less you sin. And so, you stay in the grace of God. You may fall out the grace of God, but you got to keep going. Over time, you can become more holier. Then, you can reach that final stage of Theosis. The Unative state. We can be saved at one moment in time, but we can loose it by mortal sin. Mortal sin separates us from God. Because we can only be baptized once for the forgiveness of sins, confession is the next option.
ὁ κατέχων I agree though.
Hello Michael! What can you say about the thief on the cross who was with Jesus and acknowledge that He was innocent and the Lord said that “you will be with me in paradise”? I sincerely wish to know the philosophy of salvation on that one. And we all want another christian philosophy video as well. Wish you could respond to this, thank you Michael for all that you do in the body of Christ. Bless you and ur family a hundredfold. To God be the glory.
Concisely put:
Works cannot make us merit salvation.
Christ died and resurrected for our justification and salvation.
By grace we are saved through faith.
Prior to coming to faith, no works can justify us, and no works can make us earn the grace of faith. It is a gift.
Now, faith without works is dead. We must do works or we are lukewarm, and Jesus says in Revelation 3:16 that he will spew us out of his mouth.
Faith without works is DEAD
Works that we do after receiving the grace of faith do indeed justify us because we are in Christ, and it is Christ living in us, and Christ is the principle of merit:
Romans 2:6-7 "God will reward every man according to his works, to those who by patience in well doing seek for glory and honor and immortality, he will give eternal life; but for those who are factious and do not obey the truth, but obey wickedness, there will be wrath and fury"
Galatians 6:7-9 "Do not be deceived; God is not mocked, for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. For he who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap death; but he who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. Let us not grow weary in well doing, for in due season we shall reap, if we do not lose heart"
Scripture is clear that our justification is dependent upon whether or not we do good works. Good works done in Christ, with Christ, through Christ do indeed make us merit eternal life
@Mavors Which is agreed upon by Peter and is based on Jesus's teachings.
Paul talking about 'works' he doesn't mean good deeds but works of the Law.
Good video, Im a Catholic and I agree with this
As to to where we Catholics reject faith alone justification it's good to read this article by Jimmy Akin.
jimmyakin.com/library/justification-by-faith-alone
As I understand this article, justification occurs by faith confirmed by works ?
+HoneyBadger1184 ......You are a catholic " inventor " of lies . The works you are talking about are good works being mentioned in Ephesians 2:10
Ephesians 2:8,9 is better than the article by Jimmy Akin .
I thought ephesians 2 was clear enough about this subject... It clearly says we are saved by grace through faith and not by works. that is a very black and white statement.
Yet there is another clear black and white verse that we can't omit. James 2:14 "Faith without works is dead"
We also have plenty of other verses that will put the definition of faith as that of a living faith that produces works.
***** Ephesians says we are saved by faith and not by our own works so that no one may boast. So we have to look at james extra careful now otherwise these verses will be in direct contradiction. Also it is a mockery to Jesus Christ saying that faith is not enough... You are saying that his death on the cross was not enough. Grace is purely a gift from God, we do not earn it or work for it. It is something that can only be obtained through faith alone.
Naturally a true and sincere faith in Christ will lead to doing good works, but you are not saved by these good works.
Murri16 Nobody said that. Not even Catholics say that. The key is that if Faith does not produce works then it is dead.
Again nobody said that faith is not enough. Listen and read well and don't assume and much less don't accuse people mock Jesus Christ.
What is said is that faith if it doesn't produce good works then it was never faith. It is not an intellectual decision to believe and that's it. It entails the Spirit entering and taking over.... That will produce works. If it was just a belief that saves people then demons who also believe would have a chance to be saved....
I am stating that faith is necessary for salvation but faith, the one we read in the scriptures, is a living faith. A faith that produces good works.... not works of the law but good works.
And again don't read and assume things I never said. Nor the Catholic Church ever said.
And remember we are going to be judged 2 Cor 5:10.... That judgment will be as stated in the scriptures according to what we did during the flesh.
We can't say Ephesians contradicts James and Mathew 19 when Jesus told one of His followers that by following His commandments we were saved, etc. The only explanation is that faith will automatically produce good works otherwise it was never faith in the first place.
We must believe and receive the gifts of grace and if we do receive them then that will translate in acts of love
***** yes but I want to make sure that you realize we are saved by grace and not by our own merit.
Murri16 Guess what Murri? The Catholic Church says that too. Read council of Trent
It is not our own merit but the results of grace. What the Catholic Church says is that if grace through faith does not produce good works is DEAD, ie no faith at all.
The Catholic Church has always taught that. It is misinformation or ignorance in the part of those who think they know what the Catholic Church teaches that state the contrary.
(sorry for being the voice of opposition, just need clarification)
do you say that if one has faith but does not do works then they were never saved in the first place? in contrast to what I would say that someone can receive sanctifying grace (which, in one sense but not in another, means they "have salvation"), but if they sin mortally against God they can lose that grace and in one sense "lose salvation"
I say in one sense and not another because I do not think that having/losing grace and having/losing salvation are strictly the same thing even though they are connected
and finally, would you say that works are purely the fruit of faith but that they do not increase justification (after, not before, it has been received) and cannot be an avenue to obtain grace?
EDIT: I'm curious, at the end you say that good works are not required for salvation, but if we do not do good works that means that we do not love Jesus, which would mean we weren't saved in the first place, but that would entail we do need to do something to be saved
Good works are just the result of salvation. I don't think you can increase justification because I am not catholic. sanctification is the only thing incomplete for Christians. But, a lack of good works does not mean we are not saved. It is only evidence one may not be, but we cannot assume because we do not know what God is doing with them. We don't need to maintain salvation with works.
***** Well, what works do is help us stay out of sin. They can help us become more holy. The more holy one is, the more one can avoid grave sin easier, thus avoiding loosing the grace of God. It's not just Catholics who hold onto this. Orthodox do as well.
Good works is not required at all. Remember the thief on the cross. Jesus told him that he is saved for believing on the same day when they both died. The thief had no time to do any good work on the cross. We know the thief is in heaven because Jesus said he will be there. Unless, Jesus lied. (In that case, none of us can make it to heaven)
But there are those who may believe they are saved, but really are not saved. Some people may go to church, read the bible, and sing Christian songs their entire lives, but don't understand the gospel or have accept Jesus as their savior. In this case, these people think that going to church, reading the bible, and singing Christian songs or doing other Christian things makes them saved, which is false. Jesus is the only way because He is salvation. He paid all sins (past, present, future) through His death. No one can earn their way to heaven because none are qualified. We fall short (when I mean short, I mean infintely) to meet God's requirements. Only Jesus can be redeemed cause he qualified. And since God makes the rules: he promises any unqualified person who believes in Jesus, will become qualified.
"I do not think that having/losing grace and having/losing salvation are strictly the same thing even though they are connected"
Grace, Salvation, Mercy, Love, Redemption, Adoption, Justification are all part of the same thing. You can't have one without the other. It's like a house of stacked cards: if you remove one of these, the whole thing falls apart. Jesus' sacrifice gave us all of these things together.
"would you say that works are purely the fruit of faith but that they do not increase justification"
We should not focus on works, but instead, we should focus on love. If you love someone, you may do things out of your way to please that person. Doing works for this person should not hinder you from loving that person; you do it unconditionally. We should have the same mindset for God. We must love him so that our works won't be considered as work. God understands us perfectly, and He knows that we, as imperfect beings, can't always love him unconditionally, so that's where Salvation, Grace, Love, and Mercy falls under.
A husband or wife may not have the same amount love they once had for each other, but God's love will always remain the same.
Christon Han I'm assuming you are not going to be 3 seconds from death at your conversion, so you are not the same as the thief on the cross, neither am I, so the thief on the cross reference is a little irrelevant
That is because the thief was dying... He was unable to do anything. Baptism by blood is what happened to him. He was justified/sanctified in those very moments. Yes, I agree 100%. Nobody can earn your way to heaven. It is free, not merited! Lest anyone should boast. But works are needed, in the sense that they cause holiness to spring up within a person. Helping him avoid sin. Helping him become closer to God! That is ultimately how works help with our salvation. Works can only be accountable before God if one is in a state of grace. If not, your works are like filthy rags.
So... do we need to bare good fruit? How does that fit in the grace vs works dilemma?
People need to understand that obedience and works are not the same.
Another great video brethren! By the way, what is the song at the end? Sounded good. :)
Addison Road - This Little Light of Mine
Again! love your videos! you are doing a great job and keep it up!!!
Thanks :)
Could someone reconcile the verse in Mathew 6:15 "But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses." with the idea that salvation does not require works. Work is required on our part to forgive others.
I think in light of what is discussed in the video, Jesus is pointing out if the Spirit has not made you alive you cannot forgive. So you are still dead in your sins and never accepted grace. In other words, the fruit of the Spirit did not make you alive.
***** Whether or not one must be made alive by the Spirit before they are able to forgive does not address the point that God's forgiveness of our sins depends on us forgiving others. Is the following true? 1. We accept grace. 2. we are made alive. 3. We are able to forgive others. 4. God forgives us.
Orthodox Again, I go back to my point that is assuming an entire theology on one verse and not taking in to consideration the rest of scripture. Paul is very clear salvation is not based on works. With all of scripture in mind this passage Jesus is pointing out if the Spirit has not made you alive you cannot forgive.
*****
I see nowhere in scripture (and certainly not in the 6th verse of Matthew) where our Lord points out that we cannot forgive unless the Spirit makes us alive. It seem clear to me that forgiving is based on our free will.
Orthodox Ephesians 2:4-9 says we are dead in our sin and it is God who made us alive.
i am kind of confused, right now because i dont know the difference between spreading the gospel and workbase salvation
Another explanation I feel is better: Instead of Faith Vs Works it should be Justification vs Sanctification
Justification thru Faith = Acceptance with God (adopted by God with direct access to Him) and Sanctification thru Works = Relationship with God (growing pains thru interactions to develop intimacy with God).
Like the difference of being Married vs the quality of the Marriage. Or being a child vs what kind of relationship the child has with their parent.
"Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God." Galatians 5:19-21
There are other versus like this that seem to imply that while you can't earn salvation through good works, you can lose it through bad ones. I find the idea of earning salvation through works far less concerning than that ever present guillotine of "not inheriting the kingdom of God" because of messing up, or struggling after salvation.
Christians seem to think to love Christ means you don't struggle with works of the flesh, that if you're saved there must be some sort of Holy Spirit immunity to these things or you're not saved or never were. "If you loved Jesus, you wouldn't do these things." I can hear them say.
Maybe salvation isn't granted on works, but there seems to be a lot of teaching going on about bad works stripping a believer of their salvation and kicking them to their knees at the feet of Jesus, before his white throne of judgement where merry Christians will gleefully watch Christ say "Depart from me I knew you not." and do a "This is Sparta!" style kick to toss the sinner into the lake of fire while onlookers cheer.
I like this video, but would really be interested in what you have to say about the flip side of the salvation by works concept, where someone struggles with sin post salvation. In other words, could bad works cause a Christian to loose salvation, even if they wish they could find a way to change themselves and break the pain of addiction or overcome a tendency to not have self-control?
"We are freely given salvation. It is a complete gift. Nothing we do can earn this or change it." Unconditional Election.
@bryanwhetstone The Bible does NOT contain the words "Unconditional Election" as you state--instead, that is a term made up by man-made false theology derived from Augustine and Calvin. Instead, Jesus Christ Himself made it clear the ONE CONDITION for eternal salvation which is to BELIEVE IN HIM as the SON OF GOD who died and rose again for our forgiveness and justification.
According to Jesus Christ Himself, true Biblical GOSPEL is that ETERNAL LIFE with instant permanent justification before God is a FREE GIFT (apart from any works) that is received the moment a person places belief (i.e., trust, reliance) in Jesus Christ ALONE.
Eternal life is a FREE GIFT received only by GRACE through BELIEF in Jesus Christ:
Jesus Christ said, “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.” -John 3:16
Jesus Christ “… was delivered over because of our transgressions, and was raised because of our justification.” -Romans 4:25
“For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” -Romans 6:23
“For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.” -Ephesians 2:8-9
Jesus Christ and His Apostles clearly taught in the Bible that eternal life is only available to those who believe in Him without adding their own deeds:
“Therefore they said to Him, ‘What shall we do, so that we may work the works of God?’ Jesus answered and said to them, ‘This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He has sent.’” -John 6:28-29
Jesus said: “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me HAS EVERLASTING LIFE. ” - John 6:47
“For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from works of the Law.” -Romans 3:28
“But we are all like an unclean thing, And all our righteousnesses are like filthy rags; We all fade as a leaf, And our iniquities, like the wind, Have taken us away.” -Isaiah 64:6
“For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God. For what does Scripture say? ‘Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.’ Now to the one who works, his wage is not credited as a favor but as what is due. But to the one who does not work, but believes in Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is credited as righteousness, just as David speaks of the blessing on the man to whom God credits righteousness apart from works.” -Romans 4:2-6
According to the Bible, receiving eternal life does NOT require the works of following Jesus with good works over time. Instead, Jesus taught that once a person believes in Him for eternal life, one has permanently passed from death into eternal life that can never be lost.
“…he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me HAS EVERLASTING LIFE, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life.” -John 5:24
The verb translated in English as “has passed” is μεταβεβηκεν which is in the perfect tense active indicative (third person singular-see biblehub.com/lexicon/john/5-24.htm). The perfect verb tense in NT Greek connotes a one time action with continuing results. “If you remember that the meaning of the word perfect is complete, then you can remember that the perfect tense has to do with completed action. But the perfect tense is a primary tense because it emphasizes the present, or ongoing result of a completed action.” The third person singular makes clear that the person believing in Jesus is the personal recipient of the one time action with continuing results. Thus Jesus is making clear that the person who “believes in Him” as a one time action is the recipient of the continuing result of having “passed from death into life.”
In fact, the Bible clearly teaches that adding your own payment of good works to Jesus Christ’s sacrifice for us is actually rejecting God’s offer of the FREE GIFT of forgiveness and eternal life. What you pay for is not really a gift. We must trust ONLY in Jesus Christ’s perfect sacrifice for us.
“For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God. For what does Scripture say? ‘Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.’ Now to the one who works, his wage is not credited as a favor but as what is due. But to the one who does not work, but believes in Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is credited as righteousness, just as David speaks of the blessing on the man to whom God credits righteousness apart from works.” -Romans 4:2-6
“But if it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works, otherwise grace is no longer grace.” -Romans 11:6
In the New Testament book of Galatians, the Apostle Paul made it clear that adding works to faith for eternal justification and eternal life is a DIFFERENT “gospel” which is NOT really “good news” (the literal meaning of “gospel”).
“…a person is not justified by the works of the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ. So we, too, have put our faith in Christ Jesus that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law, because by the works of the law no one will be justified. … I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing!” -Galatians 2:15-16, 21
When the Galatians started following a false teacher who urged them to add works to their faith, the Apostle Paul condemned that teaching as a “different gospel, which is not another.”:
“I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel, which is not another; but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ. But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so now I say again, if anyone preaches any other gospel to you than what you have received, let him be accursed.” -Galatians 1:6-9
If you never believed in Jesus Christ ALONE apart from your own continuing good works, then you have sadly rejected the FREE GIFT of eternal life and you have NOT "passed from death into life" (John 5:24). If you add the payment of your own good works to faith in Jesus Christ, you have NOT received the FREE GIFT of eternal life, and you are on your way to eternal separation from God. It is not a GIFT if you pay any amount for it by your "good works." So I urge you to believe in Jesus Christ and His finished work of paying for the penalty of our sin on the cross and in His resurrection for our justification ALONE without depending on adding your own works to earn eternal life.
--Bible Professor Al, Ph.D., Th.D.
True faith results in good works. Its about the quality of your heart and your actions as a result, over performing or not performing specific action as described from the Torah. The works are the fruit if the spirit, and Paul meant this as well. Amen! Thanks for sharing.
Christ be with you
Faith must result in works that is true but what is false is that he says we cannot lose Gods grace.
that is false.
God bless you
The bible says we are saved by grace, but will be judged by our works.
This is a good presentation, but it leaves out a very important distinction: we cannot earn our salvation by good works, but we can lose it by failing to do good works, and by doing evil works. This is abundantly clear in the scriptures (1 John 5:17, Galations 5:21, Matt 7:21-23, Matt 25:21, Matt 25:41-46 etc) The "once saved always saved" heresy engenders a deadly spiritual and moral complacency.
@DrOman5596 The Bible does NOT teach that "we can lose [salvation] by failing to do good works and by doing evil works" as you state. Please consider Jesus Christ's own teaching about ETERNAL LIFE as taught in the Gospel of John.
According to Jesus Christ Himself, true Biblical GOSPEL is that ETERNAL LIFE with instant permanent justification before God is a FREE GIFT (apart from any works) that is received the moment a person places belief (i.e., trust, reliance) in Jesus Christ ALONE. Your statement illogically teaches that it is possible to lose "ETERNAL LIFE," but if so, it is not really ETERNAL!!
Eternal life is a FREE GIFT received only by GRACE through BELIEF in Jesus Christ:
Jesus Christ said, “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.” -John 3:16
Jesus Christ “… was delivered over because of our transgressions, and was raised because of our justification.” -Romans 4:25
“For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” -Romans 6:23
“For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.” -Ephesians 2:8-9
Jesus Christ and His Apostles clearly taught in the Bible that eternal life is only available to those who believe in Him without adding their own deeds:
“Therefore they said to Him, ‘What shall we do, so that we may work the works of God?’ Jesus answered and said to them, ‘This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He has sent.’” -John 6:28-29
Jesus said: “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me HAS EVERLASTING LIFE. ” - John 6:47
“For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from works of the Law.” -Romans 3:28
“But we are all like an unclean thing, And all our righteousnesses are like filthy rags; We all fade as a leaf, And our iniquities, like the wind, Have taken us away.” -Isaiah 64:6
“For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God. For what does Scripture say? ‘Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.’ Now to the one who works, his wage is not credited as a favor but as what is due. But to the one who does not work, but believes in Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is credited as righteousness, just as David speaks of the blessing on the man to whom God credits righteousness apart from works.” -Romans 4:2-6
According to the Bible, receiving eternal life does NOT require the works of following Jesus with good works over time. Instead, Jesus taught that once a person believes in Him for eternal life, one has permanently passed from death into eternal life that can never be lost.
“…he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me HAS EVERLASTING LIFE, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life.” -John 5:24
The verb translated in English as “has passed” is μεταβεβηκεν which is in the perfect tense active indicative (third person singular-see biblehub.com/lexicon/john/5-24.htm). The perfect verb tense in NT Greek connotes a one time action with continuing results. “If you remember that the meaning of the word perfect is complete, then you can remember that the perfect tense has to do with completed action. But the perfect tense is a primary tense because it emphasizes the present, or ongoing result of a completed action.” The third person singular makes clear that the person believing in Jesus is the personal recipient of the one time action with continuing results. Thus Jesus is making clear that the person who “believes in Him” as a one time action is the recipient of the continuing result of having “passed from death into life.”
In fact, the Bible clearly teaches that adding your own payment of good works to Jesus Christ’s sacrifice for us is actually rejecting God’s offer of the FREE GIFT of forgiveness and eternal life. What you pay for is not really a gift. We must trust ONLY in Jesus Christ’s perfect sacrifice for us.
“For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God. For what does Scripture say? ‘Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.’ Now to the one who works, his wage is not credited as a favor but as what is due. But to the one who does not work, but believes in Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is credited as righteousness, just as David speaks of the blessing on the man to whom God credits righteousness apart from works.” -Romans 4:2-6
“But if it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works, otherwise grace is no longer grace.” -Romans 11:6
In the New Testament book of Galatians, the Apostle Paul made it clear that adding works to faith for eternal justification and eternal life is a DIFFERENT “gospel” which is NOT really “good news” (the literal meaning of “gospel”).
“…a person is not justified by the works of the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ. So we, too, have put our faith in Christ Jesus that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law, because by the works of the law no one will be justified. … I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing!” -Galatians 2:15-16, 21
When the Galatians started following a false teacher who urged them to add works to their faith, the Apostle Paul condemned that teaching as a “different gospel, which is not another.”:
“I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel, which is not another; but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ. But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so now I say again, if anyone preaches any other gospel to you than what you have received, let him be accursed.” -Galatians 1:6-9
If you never believed in Jesus Christ ALONE apart from your own continuing good works, then you have sadly rejected the FREE GIFT of eternal life and you have NOT "passed from death into life" (John 5:24). If you add the payment of your own good works to faith in Jesus Christ, you have NOT received the FREE GIFT of eternal life, and you are on your way to eternal separation from God. It is not a GIFT if you pay any amount for it by your "good works." So I urge you to believe in Jesus Christ and His finished work of paying for the penalty of our sin on the cross and in His resurrection for our justification ALONE without depending on adding your own works to earn eternal life.
--Bible Professor Al, Ph.D., Th.D.
This "faith" vs "works" thing really got me confused in the beginning when I first
became a "born again" some 43 years ago. It seemed to me that the Scriptures
said two different things that contradicted each other.
Then one day I heard a sermon by Juan Carlos Ortiz - a preacher from Argentine
preaching about this theme.
He said, I don't know about you - but where I come from it is usual that girls
live with their parents until they get married.
Their mothers have to yell and shout to get them to get some help in the house.
Everything changes the day they fall in love and want to present their chosen
to their family. They rub and scrub and carry out garbage until the whole house
is shining. They don't want to make a bad impression on the one they love !
Tom Roger Lilleby; in response to your comment "It seemed... that the scriptures said two different things that contradicted each other. " I would like to suggest a book called: "Jesus' Words Only " by Douglas J. Del Tondo. You might find that this book gives the explanation of why the scripture seemed to contradict and what the real cause of the conflict is.
Faith alone is not enough. It is *_through_* faith that we realize we must make a decision: to obey God and seek to do His will, or else to remain separate from God and continue on our own path. It is faith that makes the choice real to us, then we must choose. The verses below feature obedience, not "faith alone":
"For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?" (1 Peter 4:17)
"In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ." (2 Thessalonians 1:8)
Abraham's example illustrates the difference between "faith alone" and faith followed by obedience. Abraham was promised blessings if he would leave home and journey to the promised land. Without any faith, he would have shrugged off the promises as unreal and that would have been the end of the story.
But even with faith Abraham could have said to himself, "Well, even though I trust God's promises I'd really rather stay home, in my comfort zone, so I'm not leaving." Would he have received the promised blessings? Of course not.
Abraham *_obeyed._* He acted on his faith. He left home, journeyed to the promised land and received the blessings:
"By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went" (Hebrews 11:8).
*_By_* or *_through_* faith he realized he had a real choice to make, and he *_chose to obey._* The Lord explained to Abraham's son Isaac that Abraham received the promised blessings because of his *_obedience:_*
"Because that Abraham obeyed my voice, and kept my charge, my commandments, my statutes, and my laws" (Genesis 26:5).
The apostle James wrote "Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and *_not by faith only"_* (James 2:24). Abraham's obedience was his "works." He *_believed_* in the true, complete sense of the word _believe:_ he committed himself, he *_acted_* on his faith. In the source New Testament Greek texts, "faith" and "believe" are different words; "faith" (pistis) is a noun, "believe" (pisteuō) is a verb.
"For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also" (James 2:26). Faith without commitment, without action, is useless. Nothing changes. If Abraham had stayed home, his faith would have been dead, useless. Abraham acted on his faith; his works, his obedience brought life and completion to his faith, making him a believer. James wrote:
"Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect? And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God." (James 2:22,23)
So what does God want us to do today? How do we believe, how do we "act" on our faith? God "now commands all men every where to repent" (Acts 17:30). This is how we can receive mercy:
"He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy." (Proverbs 28:13)
With the ransom Jesus made available on the cross, we can be redeemed from the death penalty (Romans 6:23) we have earned for our past sins. That redemption is mercy and is available by grace IF we'll choose to turn from sin, turn from sin that earned us the death penalty to begin with.
If we choose not to turn from sin, we'll remain unredeemed from the death penalty earned for our past sins and will surely perish in death for those sins. That's why Jesus warned, "except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish" (Luke 13:3,5).
At first glance "except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish" appears to contradict John 3:16 which says we have to believe in Him: "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."
If "believeth" means no more than "have faith," or think something is true, then there certainly *_is_* a contradiction with "except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish." But "believeth" goes beyond just "have faith." It is *_through_* faith that we realize we have a real choice to make: whether or not to believe, to commit ourselves and act and obey. We must truly "believe," we must act on our faith, obey and repent to avoid perishing.
A very particular point that identifies a sect or a cult from the main stream Protestant Christianity is exactly that: it is always God's grace + something that man must do to be saved.
Example:
1-Jehovah Witnesses , Grace + works and obeyance to the Watchtower
2-Catholics, Grace + works
3-Seventh day Adventists, Grace + the Sabbath (The Law) and obeyance to H.G.White writings
4-Oneness Pentecostal, Grace + baptism and speaking in tongues
5-Mormons, Grace + works and obeyance to Smith their prophet and his writings.
.
You see how easy is to ID a person who is a member of a sect or a cult, to a sect or cult God's grace (free undeserved gift) alone is not sufficient and must be followed by something that we must do to earn it!.If I must do something or pay for a pie that you are freely giving to me (putting it on my hands) it is no longer free and unconditional!.
Ismael Rodriguez can you give me a quote from the catechism of the Catholic Church that teaches that we are saved by obeying the pope?
@@eddyj2823 :I stand corrected!.To the Catholic Church is, Grace + Works .I knew there was something wrong there, thanks for your insight friend!.
Grace is not of our work, but out of Christ love was given because He loved us first. not because we were good but we were sinner by the Grace of God we are set free and saved. the good deed comes out of Christ what He has done for us and we show patience, goodness and kindness, gladness faithfulness all comes after we accept the Holy Spirit. His guidance. i was good before being saved become born again but didn't save me from sin or redeemed me until I became born again through spirit and water and my work wasn't setting me free am free because I accept Christ in to my life to renew and give birth to me again. and my work has changed because of if now i work knowing am already received the salvation and am set free and i live without blame and with focus on Christ and forgiveness filled and love. we give and love freely with happiness.
Thank you Michael. Perfectly distinguished the difference between faith and works. God bless.
We train to get a job. But what if you are given the job first, will you train?