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Salvation is by works. By works alone? No, by obedient works and grace.
James ----- by works a man>>>>>> is justified, James 2:24
Paul--------obeyed from heart>>>>>then freed from sin/justified, Rom 10:17,18
James and Paul could not have been more clear or more plain spoken in saying that obedient works justify/free from sin.
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---You are saved by doing the righteousness of God and not doing your own righteousness, Rom 10:3. The faith only advocates will generally not makes this distinction between doing God's righteousness and doing your own righteousness.
---Obedient works are meeting a condition on God's free gift and do not, cannot earn God's free gift of grace. Again, faith only advocates will claim any work is an attempt to earn God's grace. Naaman did not earn God's grace by dipping 7 times in the river, yet God's grace required that work. Noah did not earn the salvation of his house by building the ark, yet God's grace required that work. Abraham did not earn God's grace by offering Isaac, yet God's grace required it.
---the false claim is sometimes made if one does works he has something to boast about. No one who obeys God's will has anything to boast about...." Lk 17:10 So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do.
One is just doing what is his duty when he obeys God, yet his obedience is not perfect leaving him an unprofitable servant in need of grace. Noah had nothing to boast about in building the ark nor Abraham in offering Isaac.
--the "not of works" of Eph 2:9 refers to works of merit, not all works for in verse 10 those that are Christians must do good works. "Not of works" cannot eliminate those good works Christian are to do nor does it eliminate obedience to God. "Not of works" did not eliminate the necessity of works required by God to Naaman, Noah or Abraham and none earned God's grace by their obedient works.
--the "not of works" of Eph 2:9 refers to works of merit, not all works for in verse 10 those that are Christians must do good works. "Not of works" cannot eliminate those good works Christian are to do nor does it eliminate obedience to God. "Not of works" did not eliminate the necessity of works required by God to Naaman, Noah or Abraham and none earned God's grace by their obedient works.
--the fact faith is a work, 1 Thess 1:3, Mk 2:1-5 is generally denied by faith only advocates.
James ----- by works a man>>>>>> is justified, James 2:24
Paul--------obeyed from heart>>>>>then freed from sin/justified, Rom 10:17,18
James and Paul could not have been more clear or more plain spoken in saying that obedient works justify/free from sin.
---------------------------------------------
---You are saved by doing the righteousness of God and not doing your own righteousness, Rom 10:3. The faith only advocates will generally not makes this distinction between doing God's righteousness and doing your own righteousness.
---Obedient works are meeting a condition on God's free gift and do not, cannot earn God's free gift of grace. Again, faith only advocates will claim any work is an attempt to earn God's grace. Naaman did not earn God's grace by dipping 7 times in the river, yet God's grace required that work. Noah did not earn the salvation of his house by building the ark, yet God's grace required that work. Abraham did not earn God's grace by offering Isaac, yet God's grace required it.
---the false claim is sometimes made if one does works he has something to boast about. No one who obeys God's will has anything to boast about...." Lk 17:10 So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do.
One is just doing what is his duty when he obeys God, yet his obedience is not perfect leaving him an unprofitable servant in need of grace. Noah had nothing to boast about in building the ark nor Abraham in offering Isaac.
--the "not of works" of Eph 2:9 refers to works of merit, not all works for in verse 10 those that are Christians must do good works. "Not of works" cannot eliminate those good works Christian are to do nor does it eliminate obedience to God. "Not of works" did not eliminate the necessity of works required by God to Naaman, Noah or Abraham and none earned God's grace by their obedient works.
--the "not of works" of Eph 2:9 refers to works of merit, not all works for in verse 10 those that are Christians must do good works. "Not of works" cannot eliminate those good works Christian are to do nor does it eliminate obedience to God. "Not of works" did not eliminate the necessity of works required by God to Naaman, Noah or Abraham and none earned God's grace by their obedient works.
--the fact faith is a work, 1 Thess 1:3, Mk 2:1-5 is generally denied by faith only advocates.
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M
The more I look at the post the more I see some real problems and a blatant disregard for the evident Word of God... lets look at Rom 10
"saved by doing the righteousness of God" ???
Ro 10:3 For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.
4 For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.
5 For Moses describeth the righteousness which is of the law, That the man which doeth those things shall live by them.
Ro 11:6 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.
How in the world could anyone come up with "doing" the righteousness of God?
"saved by doing the righteousness of God" ???
Ro 10:3 For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.
4 For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.
5 For Moses describeth the righteousness which is of the law, That the man which doeth those things shall live by them.
Ro 11:6 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.
How in the world could anyone come up with "doing" the righteousness of God?
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Ro 10:3 For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.
Those Jews were lost for they went about to establish their own righteousness and had not submitted/obeyed the righteousness of God.
When God commands one to believe and he believes then he is doing God's righteousness.
When God commands one to repent and he repents then he is doing God's righteousness.
Those Jew refused to submit/obey God's commands/righteousness, would not obey the gospel, v16.
Those Jews were lost for they went about to establish their own righteousness and had not submitted/obeyed the righteousness of God.
When God commands one to believe and he believes then he is doing God's righteousness.
When God commands one to repent and he repents then he is doing God's righteousness.
Those Jew refused to submit/obey God's commands/righteousness, would not obey the gospel, v16.
M
I want to give a little bible lesson on James and the Greek for my brothers and sisters in grace 
Jas 2:17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.
Jas 2:24 Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.
In the Greek the word is used "Ek" which means "with" not "by" which is dia...
So the scripture is not reading saved by works ...but with works...not that works is the cause but being present with the faith. A part of the faith.
Jas 2:17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.
Jas 2:24 Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.
In the Greek the word is used "Ek" which means "with" not "by" which is dia...
So the scripture is not reading saved by works ...but with works...not that works is the cause but being present with the faith. A part of the faith.
M
I want to give a little bible lesson on James and the Greek for my brothers and sisters in grace
Jas 2:17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.
Jas 2:24 Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.
In the Greek the word is used "Ek" which means "with" not "by" which is dia...
So the scripture is not reading saved by works ...but with works...not that works is the cause but being present with the faith. A part of the faith.
Jas 2:17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.
Jas 2:24 Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.
In the Greek the word is used "Ek" which means "with" not "by" which is dia...
So the scripture is not reading saved by works ...but with works...not that works is the cause but being present with the faith. A part of the faith.
While I do not believe in Works Salvationism, Jude 1:4 is talking about the grace of God and how there are those who have turned the grace of God into a license for immorality. Is not the grace of God salvation? What else can it be? Jude 1:5 says God destroyed those he saved out of Egypt who believed not. Jude 1:14-15 talks about Enoch's prophecy that says that the Lord will return with ten thousands of his saints to execute judgment upon all who live ungodly. This is all in context to Jude 1:4 for those who have turned the grace of our God into a license for immorality or lasciviousness. God is going to destroy evil people. God is not a respecter of persons. If a believer is doing evil, they will be destroyed and they will have no part in the Kingdom of God.
Repenting of one's sins and accepting Christ brings salvation (This can be done within seconds by calling out to Jesus to save you from your sins).
Baptism is not for salvation (See 1 Peter 3 again).
Works is not done for salvation, it is the natural result of having been saved. It is the after "effects" and not the "cause." Works are merely the poof that God lives within a person. For God does the good work in a believer. It's not ultimately you. For to say that works saves you is like putting the cart before the horse. Pray to the Lord one more time in understanding Titus 3:5, my friend.
Baptism is not for salvation (See 1 Peter 3 again).
Works is not done for salvation, it is the natural result of having been saved. It is the after "effects" and not the "cause." Works are merely the poof that God lives within a person. For God does the good work in a believer. It's not ultimately you. For to say that works saves you is like putting the cart before the horse. Pray to the Lord one more time in understanding Titus 3:5, my friend.
Repentance is not something one calls out to the Lord but is something one does, a change in one's behavior...changes/turns from obeying sin unto death to obedience unto righteousness, ROm 6:16.
Belief repentance confession and submitting to baptism for remission of sins are all works and no one can be saved in unbelief or impenitent, or while denying Christ or while remaining in his unforgiven/unremitted sins. God's grace requires these works, nothing is earned by doing them.
You cannot have one first saved THEN do the works of believing repenting confessing and submitting to baptism for remission of sins..not possible.
Belief repentance confession and submitting to baptism for remission of sins are all works and no one can be saved in unbelief or impenitent, or while denying Christ or while remaining in his unforgiven/unremitted sins. God's grace requires these works, nothing is earned by doing them.
You cannot have one first saved THEN do the works of believing repenting confessing and submitting to baptism for remission of sins..not possible.
The Bible says bring forth fruit worthy of repentance. We know the Scriptures refer to fruit as works many times. So are you saying we are to bring forth works worthy of a work? That doesn't make any sense. Repentance is not a work. It takes no effort to do that and you know it. Work is something actually takes some kind of effort on your part. That is why it is called work. As for water baptism saving you: Again, that is just not in the Bible. There are example of people being saved without water baptism. The Scriptures say, What must we do to do the works of God? Do you know the answer to that question?
M
But then does anyone actually believe it? It is certainly yet one more repeated myth about catholic belief - repeated so often in places like this, by those unwilling to study it, so it gained a status as fact, despite the fact no catholics believes it!
Reformationists love reductionism to "only scripture" "only faith" "only grace", "only ask jesus into your life and you are forever saved etc". They put that word "only" there but are seemingly unable to see beyond it to assume others do the same reductionism and so believe in "only works". But In logic "only faith" and "only works" are not opposites of each other, so it is bad critical thinking, let alone a twisting of others belief!
But Salvation by "grace through faith" does not exclude the merit, necessity, or free will to do works. No works are sufficient to save, ( so it is not "salvation by works") but that (and the critical issue) does not mean works can be ignored, nor does faith remove the free will to do ( or not do) works. You can have faith and still choose or not choose to cross the road to help someone in need, faith does not make you a robot whose legs are then operated by God!
In the reductionism that "faith" leads to "grace" leads inexorably to "works" assumed to be an automatic product of faith, actually redefines the word "faith" so that none who believe that can be sure of salvation through faith. Why?
Because Matthew 25 proves some are not saved because of failure to do works, period!! "I was in jail and you did not visit me" so on. So to remain consistent with that leads to the "faith only" advocates using hindsight justification that those not saved, can therefore not have had "enough faith?" or "the right kind of faith"
That clearly then shows that nobody however cocksure they are, can therefore assume salvation by "faith alone". Because in taking this attitude to "faith of the right kind inexorably leading to works of the right kind" is clearly not a foregone conclusion and OSAS evaporates as a result. How do you know you have the right faith so are doing the right works?.
In conclusion. Works are still an important act of free will even for those saved by grace through faith!
In short we are saved by grace through faith, and we rest in confidence not absolute certainty that if we do our best with the time we have to do what is asked, we hope in the lord for salvation. And that means getting off your backside to do stuff - works amongst them"! And Jesus says in Matthew 25 - ignore this at your peril!
"salvation by works" is a piece of reformation reductionism that nobody actually believes!
Reformationists love reductionism to "only scripture" "only faith" "only grace", "only ask jesus into your life and you are forever saved etc". They put that word "only" there but are seemingly unable to see beyond it to assume others do the same reductionism and so believe in "only works". But In logic "only faith" and "only works" are not opposites of each other, so it is bad critical thinking, let alone a twisting of others belief!
But Salvation by "grace through faith" does not exclude the merit, necessity, or free will to do works. No works are sufficient to save, ( so it is not "salvation by works") but that (and the critical issue) does not mean works can be ignored, nor does faith remove the free will to do ( or not do) works. You can have faith and still choose or not choose to cross the road to help someone in need, faith does not make you a robot whose legs are then operated by God!
In the reductionism that "faith" leads to "grace" leads inexorably to "works" assumed to be an automatic product of faith, actually redefines the word "faith" so that none who believe that can be sure of salvation through faith. Why?
Because Matthew 25 proves some are not saved because of failure to do works, period!! "I was in jail and you did not visit me" so on. So to remain consistent with that leads to the "faith only" advocates using hindsight justification that those not saved, can therefore not have had "enough faith?" or "the right kind of faith"
That clearly then shows that nobody however cocksure they are, can therefore assume salvation by "faith alone". Because in taking this attitude to "faith of the right kind inexorably leading to works of the right kind" is clearly not a foregone conclusion and OSAS evaporates as a result. How do you know you have the right faith so are doing the right works?.
In conclusion. Works are still an important act of free will even for those saved by grace through faith!
In short we are saved by grace through faith, and we rest in confidence not absolute certainty that if we do our best with the time we have to do what is asked, we hope in the lord for salvation. And that means getting off your backside to do stuff - works amongst them"! And Jesus says in Matthew 25 - ignore this at your peril!
"salvation by works" is a piece of reformation reductionism that nobody actually believes!