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I am of the firm belief, which I came to through a very difficult encounter with the Holy Spirit, that I have no righteous deeds at all, and that if I am to perform righteous deeds, they will be by and in and of the Holy Spirit. I actually believe that I am pretty much incapable of even knowing righteousness from unrighteousness without the Holy Spirit teaching me and training me.
What scares me is that God, who has invested us with the name of Jesus, will do as we say.
What scares me is that God, who has invested us with the name of Jesus, will do as we say.
If we are getting baptised to recieve reward (salvation) it is our work.
If we get baptized because of our faith in God expecting no reward. but out of an appreciation for God having already saved us, and we trust him when he said "do this" then It is the work of God. Not our righteousness.
Much the same, If abraham left expecting to be made "right with God" it is his work. But if he left because he "trusted God" it is not his work, which saved him, But God working through him. Which is what Paul was trying to say when he said, If Abraham is justified by works, he has something to boast (take pride in). because he worked to earn a reward (justification)