This is a copy and paste from my post no. 10,745.I don't see your point because I didn't argue from a set of propositions. I simply asserted an idea without proof, inviting others to examine the evidence themselves.
If all you mean is that you disagree with my assertion, then I accept that. My beliefs don't require you to believe me.
Your charge against me, that I change the meaning of NT words, is inaccurate. Rather, in order to disabuse someone of a bad interpretation, I spend the time to share what the author meant by his words.
Regarding your observation about Paul's exhortation to do good works, we must be careful that we don't conclude more than what he intended. When Paul says, "we are created unto good works", what does he expect us to conclude from that?
Someone might say, "Paul wants us to do good works and therefore 'X' where 'X' is purported to be a valid inference from Paul's statement. Maybe it is, maybe it isn't.
If we think deeper about the salvation experience and the markers associated with salvation, one can rightfully conclude that good works are NOT necessarily an indicator of the inner man (as Paul calls it). Maybe they are; maybe they're not.
God judges the heart, and so good works are salvific, if and only if they are expressions of the proper inwardness. If a man is doing good works as the means to seek glory from other men, his works are not markers of the proper inwardness. They are good for their own sake, but they mean nothing with regard to salvation. But if a man's good works are the outward expressions of a righteous intent, then they are markers of a good heart. Romans 2:9-10
Let's let God do the heart judging.
Let's just DO what Jesus and Paul taught....
It is your opinion, if I've understood, that one could do good works but for the wrong reason.
Is there scripture about this?
I just try to do my best as every Christian does.
I don't stop to think about the REASON I'm doing something nice before I do it to make sure
I'm doing it for the right reason.
The whole idea is a bit, let's say, confusing.
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Post 10,745
what IS important is what JESUS taught.
And HE taught that good works are necessary.
You must have skipped over Matthew 5 and 7 and 25.
Paul taught the same.....he actually taught what Jesus taught.
Amazing.
What is sad is that those such as yourself do not want to know THE TRUTH....
but only what is comforting to them.
Jesus said that before you decide to follow Him...you better count the cost.
Looks like the cost is just too high for some folk that think they are following Him.
Perhaps you could post some scripture which states that good works are not necessary?
Doubt you'll find any because it doesn't exist.
In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.
For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.
What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.
For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also faith apart from works is dead.
Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.
Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.
And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.
Who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works.
So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin.
They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life.
He will render to each one 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 self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, there will be wrath and fury.
Let all that you do be done in love.
For God is not unjust so as to overlook your work and the love that you have shown for his name in serving the saints, as you still do.
For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil.
They profess to know God, but they deny him by their works. They are detestable, disobedient, unfit for any good work.
“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.
Still don't believe that we're to do good works?
Plenty more where the above came from.
It's called the NT.
It teaches what Jesus taught.
Jesus taught that we are to do good works.