Research: Majority of Americans Believe Works Are the Key to Salvation

[crossnote]

There's nothing wrong about work per se, and God is not against work in any way. Sloth is a deadly sin, work is not. Work and faith are like two sides of the same coin, they can't be separated. Those who think they can be separated are under the influence of gnosticism, that body and soul are separate, body is evil while soul is good. The problem is the type of work and the purpose of work. As I said, work is for THIS life, not the next life. Love God with all your soul and love your neighbor as yourself are connected, because serving men IS serving God. I wrote this thread to discuss the biblical definition of work, you may check it out.

https://christianchat.com/bible-discussion-forum/what-is-the-biblical-definition-of-work.205423/

What you refer to as ‘work’, I would think of it as ‘fruit’ because the good that we do is a result of God first ‘doing‘ in us…

Philippians 2:12-13 CSB
[12] Therefore, my dear friends, just as you have always obeyed, so now, not only in my presence but even more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. [13] For it is God who is working in you both to will and to work according to his good purpose.

 

[Pilgrimshope]

Faith, without works, is no faith at all. When one claims to believe,, and he truly does, it is works given by the Father. No man has faisth without works even if it is simply believing on the Son of the our Father. Think on Abraham how it was imputed to him as righteousness because he believed. Going through all of the Word there are countless examples of those who believe doing workdsgiven them by the Father. It is all to glorify Him, not us.

amen . Abraham was accounted righteous because he believed but this faith was fulfilled when he acted and obeyed the righteousness God accounted was fulfilled in his obedience

“But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?

Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? 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.

Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.

For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.”
‭‭James‬ ‭2:20-24, 26‬ ‭KJV‬‬

It’s not faith because God said something it’s faith when we hear and believe what he said. He called Abraham righteous here beforehand when he believed Gods promise of his seed

“And, behold, the word of the LORD came unto him, saying, This shall not be thine heir; but he that shall come forth out of thine own bowels shall be thine heir. And he brought him forth abroad, and said, Look now toward heaven, and tell the stars, if thou be able to number them: and he said unto him, So shall thy seed be. And he believed in the LORD; and he counted it to him for righteousness.”
‭‭Genesis‬ ‭15:4-6‬ ‭

James is explaining To us that this scripture was fulfilled later here when Abraham obeyed and oases the test of his faith

“And it came to pass after these things, that God did test Abraham, and said unto him, Abraham: and he said, Behold, here I am.”
‭‭Genesis‬ ‭22:1‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Abraham obeyed God all along and after God has declared Abraham righteous he tests abrahams faith Abraham obeys and the scriptire declaring him righteous beforehand is fulfilled by his actions. Made complete by his deeds

if Abraham had said “ I believe you lord but I’m not going to do anything your saying because I have faith “ it wouldn’t have been faith. It would have been a lie.

If Noah had said “ I believe you lord but I’m not building an ark that’s not faith “ it wouldn’t have been faith

“By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.”
‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭11:7‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Noah had faith also it saved him God told him the truth about the flood and gave him instructions for the ark. Noah believed Gods word and so he acted on faith and was saved d inherited the righteousness of faith.

same with Abraham as soon as God told him to get out and leave his homeland and he would later bless him Abraham obeyed the lord because he believed

“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 ‭KJV‬‬

Abraham wasn’t credited with righteousness because he said “ I believe lord “ but because he believed what God said to him instruction and blessing and so he acted his faith was real he understood of God said this it’s true, Noah understood of “God is warning me of a massive flood I need to build that boat he told Me about “

that’s faith it isn’t faith to say “ I have faith so now I don’t need to obey and do what God said will save me I have faith instead “

the things Jesus said will save us will save us it’s true just like Noah and the flood just like Abraham and his blessing of we hear and believe what God said through Christ it’s salvation but not if we make faith mean never doing what God said

the works christ teaches are about our salvation he teaches man how to be saved if they believe in him

 

[JTB]

"If it were possible..."

Matthew 24:24 (KJV) For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.


'

Since there are so many verses saying it will happen, I have to assume it's entirely possible

 

[ResidentAlien]

more importantly 'were not of us' refers to not being born again...without the new nature.

There's no way of saying that definitively from the text. All it says is they "were not of us." Everything else is speculation.

 

[kaylagrl]

amen . Abraham was accounted righteous because he believed but this faith was fulfilled when he acted and obeyed the righteousness God accounted was fulfilled in his obedience

“But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?

Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? 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.

Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.

For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.”
‭‭James‬ ‭2:20-24, 26‬ ‭KJV‬‬

It’s not faith because God said something it’s faith when we hear and believe what he said. He called Abraham righteous here beforehand when he believed Gods promise of his seed

“And, behold, the word of the LORD came unto him, saying, This shall not be thine heir; but he that shall come forth out of thine own bowels shall be thine heir. And he brought him forth abroad, and said, Look now toward heaven, and tell the stars, if thou be able to number them: and he said unto him, So shall thy seed be. And he believed in the LORD; and he counted it to him for righteousness.”
‭‭Genesis‬ ‭15:4-6‬ ‭

James is explaining To us that this scripture was fulfilled later here when Abraham obeyed and oases the test of his faith

“And it came to pass after these things, that God did test Abraham, and said unto him, Abraham: and he said, Behold, here I am.”
‭‭Genesis‬ ‭22:1‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Abraham obeyed God all along and after God has declared Abraham righteous he tests abrahams faith Abraham obeys and the scriptire declaring him righteous beforehand is fulfilled by his actions. Made complete by his deeds

if Abraham had said “ I believe you lord but I’m not going to do anything your saying because I have faith “ it wouldn’t have been faith. It would have been a lie.

If Noah had said “ I believe you lord but I’m not building an ark that’s not faith “ it wouldn’t have been faith

“By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.”
‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭11:7‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Noah had faith also it saved him God told him the truth about the flood and gave him instructions for the ark. Noah believed Gods word and so he acted on faith and was saved d inherited the righteousness of faith.

same with Abraham as soon as God told him to get out and leave his homeland and he would later bless him Abraham obeyed the lord because he believed

“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 ‭KJV‬‬

Abraham wasn’t credited with righteousness because he said “ I believe lord “ but because he believed what God said to him instruction and blessing and so he acted his faith was real he understood of God said this it’s true, Noah understood of “God is warning me of a massive flood I need to build that boat he told Me about “

that’s faith it isn’t faith to say “ I have faith so now I don’t need to obey and do what God said will save me I have faith instead “

the things Jesus said will save us will save us it’s true just like Noah and the flood just like Abraham and his blessing of we hear and believe what God said through Christ it’s salvation but not if we make faith mean never doing what God said

the works christ teaches are about our salvation he teaches man how to be saved if they believe in him

We are saved BY grace, FOR good works. Because we are saved, one follows the other. Works cannot save.

 

[crossnote]

Since there are so many verses saying it will happen, I have to assume it's entirely possible

Interesting. Concerning the regenerate, what would you do with passages such as...

(Php 1:6) For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.

(Joh 6:39) "This is the will of Him who sent Me, that of all that He has given Me I lose nothing, but raise it up on the last day.

 

[crossnote]

There's no way of saying that definitively from the text. All it says is they "were not of us." Everything else is speculation.

See my post #66.

 

[ResidentAlien]

See my post #66.

I get it. You're once saved always saved. That's fine.

 

[ResidentAlien]

John 15:2: "Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit."

Color me crazy but this sure sounds like someone who's "in Him" but has forfeited his salvation.

 

[crossnote]

I get it. You're once saved always saved. That's fine.

True, I'm convinced Jesus doesn't lose what He saves, nor does He abort His own.

 

[Pilgrimshope]

John 15:2: "Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit."

Color me crazy but this sure sounds like someone who's "in Him" but has forfeited his salvation.

especially when you add this to that

“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.

For the earth which drinketh in the rain that cometh oft upon it, and bringeth forth herbs meet for them by whom it is dressed, receiveth blessing from God:

but that which beareth thorns and briers is rejected, and is nigh unto cursing; whose end is to be burned.

But, beloved, we are persuaded better things of you, and things that accompany salvation, though we thus speak. For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister.

And we desire that every one of you do shew the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end: that ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.”
‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭6:4-12‬ ‭

we should always be making sure our own fruit is blooming it matters a lot if we grow thorns and briars or good edible fruit fit for the kingdom

 

[crossnote]

John 15:2: "Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit."

Color me crazy but this sure sounds like someone who's "in Him" but has forfeited his salvation.

and here I thought Jesus was talking about fruit, not salvation.

 

[Blade]

Whom do we seek after? Christ died on the cross the only way to the Father.. the words just now in the song "your not finished with me yet". Yes for me to believe I just do something good to get in and believe or to be healed I mean we all know have these thoughts at some point. Yes for me its a lie yet they are seeking Christ believe who He said he was.

MAN and the enemy can get us really confused and filled with doubt.

Song playing.. I thought it fit.
""All the way home". "Well this is my story, I wish it was perfect but perfect in me never were bestof friends".

 

[Grandpa]

Here are some of the shocking (to me) findings in the poll (2020) cited below...

"A majority of Americans, a new survey finds, no longer believe that Jesus Christ is the way to eternal salvation. Faith (generally) and good works, they say, will do the trick "

"Equally as startling, it was found that a majority of people who describe themselves as Christian (52%) believe that a person can gain eternal salvation by “being or doing good.” That includes close to half of all adults associated with Pentecostal (46%), mainline Protestant (44%), and evangelical (41%) churches. As expected, a much larger share of Catholics (70%) embrace that point of view."

This salvation-can-be-earned perspective, Barna says, fits well with other widely held views identified in the American Worldview Inventory 2020 that are at odds with biblical teaching.
Those have included:


• There is no absolute moral truth (58%)
• Basis of truth are factors or sources other than God (58%)
• Right/wrong determined by factors other than the Bible (77%)
• The Bible is not the authoritative and true word of God (59%)
• People are basically good (69%)

"“If you look at some of the dominant elements in the American mind and heart today, as illuminated by the Inventory, most people believe that the purpose of life is feeling good about yourself,” Barna says. “Most people contend that all faiths are of equal value, that entry into God’s eternal presence is determined by one’s personal means of choice and that there are no absolutes to guide or grow us morally.”

more at: https://outreachmagazine.com/resour...s-believe-works-are-the-key-to-salvation.html

No wonder this country is in the mess it's in.

Ecclesiastes 1:9 The thing that hath been, it is that which shall be; and that which is done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun.

Ecclesiastes 1:14 I have seen all the works that are done under the sun; and, behold, all is vanity and vexation of spirit.


Ever since the beginning, or close to it, people have been trying to work their way into Gods Favor and Blessing. They create rules and laws for everyone to follow and if you do those then God has to let you in. Who are YOU to say God won't let "good" people who do "good" works and have "good" intentions into His Kingdom? Are you better than they are?

No. You aren't better. Neither am I. We just have been blessed with the Revelation and Wisdom of the Knowledge of Christ. Most people don't want to hear anything about it. It is useless stupidity to them. Christ just GIVES you Salvation? Christ just GIVES you forgiveness? It makes way more sense to work at laws and rules, that appeals to the intellect, in order to be right with men and God.


There is only One Faith, One Person, The Lord Jesus Christ that can save and bring people into Gods Kingdom. Its not a very popular idea. Because it is True.

 

[JTB]

Interesting. Concerning the regenerate, what would you do with passages such as...

(Php 1:6) For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.

(Joh 6:39) "This is the will of Him who sent Me, that of all that He has given Me I lose nothing, but raise it up on the last day.

Because there are the things God does, and there are the things we do.

God will never abandon us.

We, however, may abandon Him.

 

[crossnote]

Because there are the things God does, and there are the things we do.

God will never abandon us.

We, however, may abandon Him.

Seems like God would abandon us if after we become His child, He ceases to intercede for us (Rom 8:34), ceases to chastise/discipline us (Heb 12:6) ceases to lead, guide, enlighten and strengthening us by the Holy Spirit. etc.
But if He does all these things, how will we abandon him unless we are totally depraved, which would be all the more reason for Him to save and Him alone?

 

[kaylagrl]

Knowing God's invisible qualities and recognizing these qualities does not necessarily mean that people know the name Jesus or know the Gospel; this would be true for people who never came across the Gospel. I actually think that's what this verse is saying...just because people don't know doesn't mean they have an excuse. If you think these people know the Gospel/Jesus, since you quoted the verse in response to arthurfleminger's question on the salvation of Native Americans, how is this the case?

A deeper look brought this to light...

When it comes to God’s revelation, theologians divide these into God’s special and general revelation. His special revelation includes the Bible and Christ. These are both direct and special means of God revealing Himself to us. General revelation, sometimes called natural revelation, consists of what God has revealed of Himself via the natural world and moral conscience.

Two passages in Romans further explain general revelation: “For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities – his eternal power and divine nature – have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse” (Romans 1:20) and “the requirements of the law are written on their hearts” (Romans 2:15). Taken together these passages claim that everyone has an inherent knowledge of God, that this can be clearly known from creation and that everyone also has a God-given moral compass.

Is it true, then, that “those who have never heard,” really have no idea of God’s existence or of their moral responsibilities? Biblically speaking, it’s not true. “Those who have never heard” have heard something and they do have access to key information about God. They know that God exists, that there is a moral standard and that they have broken this standard.


Various missionary stories support the fact that often times those who have never heard who have responded to God’s general revelation are later visited by Christian missionaries.

The Bible, for instance, records just such a story about a man named Cornelius. This man knew about God, but not about Christ. Because of his sincere desire to know God, Cornelius came in direct contact with the Apostle Peter who told Cornelius about Jesus

No one will stand before the Lord and say they did not have the chance to know Him. God has revealed enough of Himself that He can be sought and found.

 

[crossnote]

No one will stand before the Lord and say they did not have the chance to know Him. God has revealed enough of Himself that He can be sought and found.

Someone (I forgot who) has said God has scattered His fingerprints across creation so we are without excuse.

 

[kaylagrl]

Someone (I forgot who) has said God has scattered His fingerprints across creation so we are without excuse.

That is well said, another way I have heard it said is that we each have a God shaped hole within us that only He can fill.

 

[Carry_Your_Name]

Someone (I forgot who) has said God has scattered His fingerprints across creation so we are without excuse.

Yes. If you wonder how the Word became flesh, look no further than the DNA code.