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

[XavierJesusLovesIndia]

So you would say 'we do good works because we are saved'? not visa-versa?

Hi Brother Crossnote.

Well, I can agree we do Good Works because we are Saved from Past Sins/Born Again. But I don't believe in Once Saved, Always Saved. Once we are Justified, we must do Good Works and Pray for the Grace of Perseverance. I hold that all the Justified won't be Saved [Many are Called, (to Justification,) but Few are Chosen, for (Final Salvation)] those who persevere in good works will be saved. 2 Peter 1:

5 "For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith virtue; and to virtue, knowledge; 6and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; 7and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love.

8For if you possess these qualities and continue to grow in them, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9But whoever lacks these traits is nearsighted to the point of blindness, having forgotten that he has been cleansed from his past sins. 10Therefore, brothers, strive to make your calling and election sure. For if you practice these things you will never stumble, 11and you will receive a lavish reception into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ."

Salvation is imho by Grace through a Living Faith that works by Love, not a dead faith that has no works, for faith without works is dead.

"21Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? 22Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect? 23And 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. 24Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only. 25Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way? 26For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also." (Jam 2:21-26)

God Bless.

 

[Snacks]

The world can do what it wants. I’ll stick with God’s grace through faith in Jesus Christ.

 

[seed_time_harvest]

No man has faith 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 works given them by the Father.It is all to glorify Him, not us.

You believe that faith IS a work,So then you believe that the theif on the cross DID do works,right?

 

[JaumeJ]

Of course.

 

[crossnote]

Hi Brother Crossnote.

Salvation is imho by Grace through a Living Faith that works by Love, not a dead faith that has no works, for faith without works is dead.

God Bless.

Seems to me when a person comes to saving faith through the Gospel, the Holy Spirit comes to reside, to abide, enlighten, convict, discipline as well as comfort the child of God. Very lively if you ask me.

2 Corinthians 5:17 KJV
[17] Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

 

[Goliath]

Confusing to be sure...How Paul can teach we are saved by our works in one place and we are not saved by our works in another.
(Romans 2:6-7)
God “will repay each person according to what they have done.” To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality, he will give eternal life.
(Galatians 2:6)
knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law; for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.

What's the answer?
In (Romans 2:6-7) Paul is talking about the New Covenant, a covenant of Grace.
In (Galatians 2:6) Paul is talking about the Old Covenant Law of Moses.
For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.
(John 1:17)
Are we not under a New Covenant?
Absolutely!! So obviously we are not under the Law of Moses, but we are under a covenant of Grace.
And this new covenant.....is received...by Grace.
What does that mean?
It means, the works you do under the New Covenant.....must be done out of Love....in order to receive the Grace of God.
Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. The one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love them and show myself to them.” (John 14:21)
This is why the works under the Law of Christ...are called Good Works...for they are done out of Love.
Love for God, Love for our neighbor..and even....yes...Love towards our enemies.

 

[crossnote]

Confusing to be sure...How Paul can teach we are saved by our works in one place and we are not saved by our works in another.
(Romans 2:6-7)

I'll take this point.

(Rom 2:6) who WILL RENDER TO EACH PERSON ACCORDING TO HIS DEEDS:
(Rom 2:7) to those who by perseverance in doing good seek for glory and honor and immortality, eternal life;

From Chapter 1:18 through 3:20 Paul has been making a case that all have sinned and fallen short of God's glory and hence they need the Gospel message 3:21-3:26.
Romans 2:6-7 is a hypothetical, which Paul shows no one attains except Jesus Christ.

 

[GracethroughfaithinChrist]

Sadly, some think that their works will save them.

They stand in opposition to our all Holy and Great God and to the finished work of Christ.

It's not about works. but rather, it's about God's grace through faith.

Romans 4:1-5
What shall we say then that Abraham our father, as pertaining to the flesh, hath found? 2For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God. 3For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness. 4Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. 5But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.

Titus 3:5
not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit,

Ephesians 2:8-9
For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9Not of works, lest any man should boast.

 

[JaumeJ]

Are all so muddled by the thought of works they do not see the difference between works of the law and good works afforded us by God through the Holy Spirit.
The Holy Spirit gives us the works, we do not dream them up as though we are doing something for our Father. We can do nothing for our Father, even our good works originate from Him.

If people wish to be stuck on works of the law, I am afraid until our Father opens their eyes tey will always think good works are works of the law and not our gratitude in action. Keep arguing nonsense; it will get you nowhere.

 

[crossnote]

What one calls works, another calls fruit.

We do ‘works’ out of a thankful heart which is the fruit of His in working.

Philippians 2:12-13 KJV
[12] Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. [13] For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.

 

[JaumeJ]

What one calls works, another calls fruit.

We do ‘works’ out of a thankful heart which is the fruit of His in working.

Philippians 2:12-13 KJV
[12] Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. [13] For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.

Yes! Definitely from the Episstles.

 

[Goliath]

I'll take this point.

(Rom 2:6) who WILL RENDER TO EACH PERSON ACCORDING TO HIS DEEDS:
(Rom 2:7) to those who by perseverance in doing good seek for glory and honor and immortality, eternal life;

From Chapter 1:18 through 3:20 Paul has been making a case that all have sinned and fallen short of God's glory and hence they need the Gospel message 3:21-3:26.
Romans 2:6-7 is a hypothetical, which Paul shows no one attains except Jesus Christ.

Thank you, That's actually a very refreshing....and intelligent answer. People usually rebut me by saying, I have a low mental capacity. Using An insult as a rebuttal, instantly indicates one is not dealing with an adult. So that's why I thank you...for disagreeing,...as an Adult.

I can see how someone could see it as a hypothetical, since there isn't much evidence to support it in Pauls Gospel. But have you considered the reason for this lack of evidence?
Let me remind you...Paul's says, His Gospel, is founded on the Gospel of Jesus Christ. This is why Paul called Jesus, The Author of Salvation. Because Jesus had already covered the teaching of Salvation, in his Gospel. Paul was not the Author of Salvation, so he was merely building upon the teachings of Jesus. This is why there isn't an overwhelming display of evidence in Pauls Gospel.

 

[Proverbs_Four]

Faith . . . only comes from God!

 

[Snacks]

Are all so muddled by the thought of works they do not see the difference between works of the law and good works afforded us by God through the Holy Spirit.
The Holy Spirit gives us the works, we do not dream them up as though we are doing something for our Father. We can do nothing for our Father, even our good works originate from Him.

If people wish to be stuck on works of the law, I am afraid until our Father opens their eyes tey will always think good works are works of the law and not our gratitude in action. Keep arguing nonsense; it will get you nowhere.

No arguing, dear brother, but it seems what you’re referring to as works is actually fruit as @crossnote mentioned just above.

 

[Everlasting-Grace]

The problem is people want to separate works of the law and christian works as if they are really different. Most do this when they are preaching works for salvation. Otherwise there really is no need in doing this.

Works should be producing fruit, as a believer. They are a result of God working in and through us, And it is God who gets the credit because they are the works of the father. As Jesus called them.

Where works become bad or self righteous works, is when they are done to earn, Maintain, or keep from losing salvation.

Most arguments are not about works as being fruit. as all believers produce fruit

The arguments arise out of the second group. People who preach a works based gospel, but are in denial they even teach it..

 

[arthurfleminger]

Thank you, That's actually a very refreshing....and intelligent answer. People usually rebut me by saying, I have a low mental capacity. Using An insult as a rebuttal, instantly indicates one is not dealing with an adult. So that's why I thank you...for disagreeing,...as an Adult.

I can see how someone could see it as a hypothetical, since there isn't much evidence to support it in Pauls Gospel. But have you considered the reason for this lack of evidence?
Let me remind you...Paul's says, His Gospel, is founded on the Gospel of Jesus Christ. This is why Paul called Jesus, The Author of Salvation. Because Jesus had already covered the teaching of Salvation, in his Gospel. Paul was not the Author of Salvation, so he was merely building upon the teachings of Jesus. This is why there isn't an overwhelming display of evidence in Pauls Gospel.

Yes, it was an intelligent answer, citing Romans Cha2 vs 6 and 7. But he should have continued with Romans, Cha2 vs 10 and 13:

10But glory, honour, and peace, to every man that worketh good, to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile:

13(For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified.

It is obvious from verse 13 that Paul is not calling for the negation of God's law. When Paul cites 'works of the law' all need to research as to what he means by works of the law. What law is he speaking of?

 

[crossnote]

Thank you, That's actually a very refreshing....and intelligent answer. People usually rebut me by saying, I have a low mental capacity. Using An insult as a rebuttal, instantly indicates one is not dealing with an adult. So that's why I thank you...for disagreeing,...as an Adult.

I can see how someone could see it as a hypothetical, since there isn't much evidence to support it in Pauls Gospel. But have you considered the reason for this lack of evidence?
Let me remind you...Paul's says, His Gospel, is founded on the Gospel of Jesus Christ. This is why Paul called Jesus, The Author of Salvation. Because Jesus had already covered the teaching of Salvation, in his Gospel. Paul was not the Author of Salvation, so he was merely building upon the teachings of Jesus. This is why there isn't an overwhelming display of evidence in Pauls Gospel.

Paul was an Apostle to the Gentiles and explained the Gospel in crystal clear terms as he did in the first three chapters of Romans. Too many try to shove the teachings of Jesus as Gospel when their purpose was to show us our sin and thus need for His salvation. Remember ‘with man this is impossible but with God all things are possible‘? Mt 19:26

 

[arthurfleminger]

I'll take this point.

(Rom 2:6) who WILL RENDER TO EACH PERSON ACCORDING TO HIS DEEDS:
(Rom 2:7) to those who by perseverance in doing good seek for glory and honor and immortality, eternal life;

From Chapter 1:18 through 3:20 Paul has been making a case that all have sinned and fallen short of God's glory and hence they need the Gospel message 3:21-3:26.
Romans 2:6-7 is a hypothetical, which Paul shows no one attains except Jesus Christ.

Crossnote, I fully agree with your post and your citation of Paul's teaching in Romans 2 vs 6 and 7. But I think you should have included his teachings in Romans vs 10 and 13 also:
10But glory, honour, and peace, to every man that worketh good, to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile:
13(For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified.

From vs 13 we can see that Paul is not recommending the abbrogation of God's law. One needs to be very careful in their studies of what Paul means by the law and the audience he is speaking with.

 

[crossnote]

Yes, it was an intelligent answer, citing Romans Cha2 vs 6 and 7. But he should have continued with Romans, Cha2 vs 10 and 13:

10But glory, honour, and peace, to every man that worketh good, to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile:

13(For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified.

It is obvious from verse 13 that Paul is not calling for the negation of God's law. When Paul cites 'works of the law' all need to research as to what he means by works of the law. What law is he speaking of?

I thought I had covered that by saying ‘only Jesus was the doer of the law’. Hence is is the Just and justifier.

Romans 3:26 KJV
[26] To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.

The Gospel doesn’t negate God’s law rather it exalts it by exalting Jesus.

 

[crossnote]

Crossnote, I fully agree with your post and your citation of Paul's teaching in Romans 2 vs 6 and 7. But I think you should have included his teachings in Romans vs 10 and 13 also:
10But glory, honour, and peace, to every man that worketh good, to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile:
13(For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified.

From vs 13 we can see that Paul is not recommending the abbrogation of God's law. One needs to be very careful in their studies of what Paul means by the law and the audience he is speaking with.

See above.