What place does works have in the life of a Christian?

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Nehemiah6

Senior Member
Jul 18, 2017
26,074
13,774
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#22
God chooses who He gives this gift to. God chooses to give this gift to those who love and obey Him.
That is incorrect. God offers the gift of eternal life freely to WHOSOEVER believes the Gospel and receives Christ as Lord and Savior.

And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely. (Rev 22:17)
 
E

EleventhHour

Guest
#23
The following is clear! Any and all works that may be produced, are produced by Christ through us and why HE GETS ALL THE GLORY!

However, to the one who does not work, but believes in Him who justifies the wicked, his faith is credited as righteousness.

...make you complete in every good work to do His will, working in you what is well pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.

Hebrews 13:21
 

tourist

Senior Member
Mar 13, 2014
42,590
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Tennessee
#24
We are not saved by works, but I think the Lord values our works.

Salvation is not something we gain by our works, it is a free gift. Eph. 2:8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God.

Some say we have to choose between works and faith for salvation. If God gives us salvation as a gift, it is not something we have worked for. However, God chooses who He gives this gift to. God chooses to give this gift to those who love and obey Him.

Revelations 22:12 “Look, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to each person according to what they have done.

John 5: 28 “Do not be amazed at this, for a time is coming when all who are in their graves will hear his voice 29 and come out—those who have done what is good will rise to live, and those who have done what is evil will rise to be condemned
The Lord places a high premium on our works that our heavenly Father has prepared beforehand for us to accomplish.
 
May 19, 2020
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#25
Also...a strong disciple in the Lord bears much fruit,fruit that will last....we submit every area of our lives over to God......the fruit of the Spirit,shows the power of God at work in the believer .

He never forces...but a born again does it out of Love for the Father....because the Father has placed that Love in them,which penetrates their heart.......therefore all Glory goes to God.
 
Jun 22, 2020
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Australia
#26
We all have faith and we've all been baptized... So we're all born again which ever way you look at it...
Now... Would you rather approach God with good deeds or bad deeds?
I think the answer is obvious and im surprised there is so much disagreement over it...
 

Blik

Senior Member
Dec 6, 2016
7,312
2,428
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#27
Not at all. Nothing we do has additive value to our salvation, but flows out from it. The "works" we do come through our changing desires as the gospel transforms us. It's not an effortless process as we do need to be self-disciplined, but it doesn't ensure that God chooses us to do so as our only role is to receive what God offers. If we allow the gospel to transform us we will find ourselves desiring the things that please God and so what effort there is involved will be a secondary concern.
"allow the gospel to transform us". "self-discipline", "desire the things that please God", I like the way you explain the Lord's ways.
At what point does the person earn the reward of salvation?

My bible states that salvation is a gift and it is given by grace through faith and I see no mention of God choosing a person based on merit?

My bible also states...

Now to him who works, the wages are not counted as grace but as debt.
Romans 4:4
Salvation is NEVER given as a wage, as something the result of labor. It is always given by the choice of the Lord.

The Lord has many scriptures telling us about what he bases that choice on. Each scripture shows us God looks to those who love and obey Him when He makes that choice.
 
Aug 14, 2019
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#28
I think the experience of receiving the Holy Spirit is unique to the one receiving Him. The strengths, weaknesses, talents, potential are different for each of us. The gifts are different as well since they are to give the power to fulfill individual missions.

These gifts are tangible because they change our hearts and minds permanently. A real change to the soul has occurred.

You will know you couldn't make it happen. It will be something that's happened to you

If there is no beneficial and permanent change, if you're not drawn closer to Jesus, if your faith hasn't been lifted to a new level, it wasn't the Holy Spirit.
 

soggykitten

Well-known member
Jul 3, 2020
2,322
1,369
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#29
We are not saved by works, but I think the Lord values our works.

Salvation is not something we gain by our works, it is a free gift. Eph. 2:8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God.

Some say we have to choose between works and faith for salvation. If God gives us salvation as a gift, it is not something we have worked for. However, God chooses who He gives this gift to. God chooses to give this gift to those who love and obey Him.

Revelations 22:12 “Look, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to each person according to what they have done.

John 5: 28 “Do not be amazed at this, for a time is coming when all who are in their graves will hear his voice 29 and come out—those who have done what is good will rise to live, and those who have done what is evil will rise to be condemned
Another word for works is deeds. Good deeds.
Matthew 6:1-4
Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven. “Thus, when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you."

Titus 3:14 And let our people learn to devote themselves to good works, so as to help cases of urgent need, and not be unfruitful.

James 2:14 What doth it profit, my brethren, if a man say he hath faith, but have not works? can that faith save him? 15 If a brother or sister be naked and in lack of daily food, 16 and one of you say unto them, Go in peace, be ye warmed and filled; and yet ye give them not the things needful to the body; what doth it profit? 17 Even so faith, if it have not works, is dead in itself.
 

soggykitten

Well-known member
Jul 3, 2020
2,322
1,369
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#30
That's not what the Bible teaches.


"Will" means "intent", not "faith".
Does it? Works are a key part of our salvation. But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life. Titus 3:4-7

For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. Ephesians 2:10

Being Christian means we are like unto Christ himself. Christ performed good works to show what God's saving grace bestowed on followers of Christ. And at the end of our life when we stand before God we are judged by our works, deeds. Revelation 20
 

throughfaith

Well-known member
Aug 4, 2020
10,467
1,593
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#31
We are saved by works .Works cannot be separate of faith "the unseen will". It is Christ who works in us to both will (faith ) and do (work) that good pleasure of His will. He promises us he will not forget the good works he works in us with us. When we offer them towards the power of His name

Faith is a work .No work no faith.

Faith the will without the power to perform is dead.
what if you are saved and die the same day ? What really counts ?
 

throughfaith

Well-known member
Aug 4, 2020
10,467
1,593
113
#32
Does it? Works are a key part of our salvation. But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life. Titus 3:4-7

For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. Ephesians 2:10

Being Christian means we are like unto Christ himself. Christ performed good works to show what God's saving grace bestowed on followers of Christ. And at the end of our life when we stand before God we are judged by our works, deeds. Revelation 20
Does it? Works are a key part of our salvation. But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life. Titus 3:4-7

For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. Ephesians 2:10

Being Christian means we are like unto Christ himself. Christ performed good works to show what God's saving grace bestowed on followers of Christ. And at the end of our life when we stand before God we are judged by our works, deeds. Revelation 20
Praise God believers will not be at the great white throne. And unbelievers will be judged by THE book ultimately on the basis if their name is written or not .
 

soggykitten

Well-known member
Jul 3, 2020
2,322
1,369
113
#33
Praise God believers will not be at the great white throne. And unbelievers will be judged by THE book ultimately on the basis if their name is written or not .
You're wrong. Read Revelation 17 and chapter 20 so that you don't continue believing what is wrong about our judgment day.
 

throughfaith

Well-known member
Aug 4, 2020
10,467
1,593
113
#34
You're wrong. Read Revelation 17 and chapter 20 so that you don't continue believing what is wrong about our judgment day.
If a Christian is at the great White throne they are not saved . Because its Judgement in the sense of ' names not written '
 

throughfaith

Well-known member
Aug 4, 2020
10,467
1,593
113
#35
You're wrong. Read Revelation 17 and chapter 20 so that you don't continue believing what is wrong about our judgment day.
please show the verse where believers are before the great white throne?
 

Jackson123

Senior Member
Feb 6, 2014
11,769
1,371
113
#36
We are not saved by works, but I think the Lord values our works.

Salvation is not something we gain by our works, it is a free gift. Eph. 2:8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God.

Some say we have to choose between works and faith for salvation. If God gives us salvation as a gift, it is not something we have worked for. However, God chooses who He gives this gift to. God chooses to give this gift to those who love and obey Him.

Revelations 22:12 “Look, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to each person according to what they have done.

John 5: 28 “Do not be amazed at this, for a time is coming when all who are in their graves will hear his voice 29 and come out—those who have done what is good will rise to live, and those who have done what is evil will rise to be condemned
Work help our testimony to preach the gospel.

1. Say as a Christian we steal a car, from mr mohamad, a Muslim man. than we preach to mr mohamad, I don't think mr m listen to us.
But if mr m sick and we help him, we have better chance to witness about Jesus to him.

2. Fath is requirement for salvation, and most of the time faith associate with work.
For example god told Noah that He will flood the earth, because Noah believe or have faith in god, he build the ark.
 
Sep 3, 2016
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#37
Revelations 22:12 “Look, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to each person according to what they have done.
It is good to see that you have your eyes on the "Judgement Seat of Christ."

2 John 1:8 says it like this:
Look to yourselves, that we do not lose those things we worked for, but that we may receive a full reward.



Revelation 22
“12 And, behold, I come quickly (is not meant to portray the “time” of His Coming, but rather the suddenness of His Coming; the idea is that whatever we are at His Coming, whenever that Coming takes place, is what we will be forever); and My reward is with Me (the word “reward” can either be positive or negative), to give every man according as his work shall be. (Our Faith, however placed, will produce a certain type of works. Only Faith in the Cross is accepted.)


JSM

I have a bible study question for all...about good works. Why did God the Father, speak to Peter (John and James) about the good works he wanted to do at the Transfiguration of His Son Jesus Christ and say, "This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Listen to Him!”? Matthew 17:4-8
 
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Dino246

Senior Member
Jun 30, 2015
25,470
13,784
113
#38
Does it? Works are a key part of our salvation. But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life. Titus 3:4-7

For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. Ephesians 2:10

Being Christian means we are like unto Christ himself. Christ performed good works to show what God's saving grace bestowed on followers of Christ. And at the end of our life when we stand before God we are judged by our works, deeds. Revelation 20
If you want to say "Believe in the One He has sent" is a "work" then go right ahead. Believing is not going to cause sweat on my brow. Is there a place for "works" in the life of an already-saved person? Yes.

According to Scripture, can we be saved by our own works?

No. Emphatically... No.
 
E

EleventhHour

Guest
#39
"allow the gospel to transform us". "self-discipline", "desire the things that please God", I like the way you explain the Lord's ways.
Salvation is NEVER given as a wage, as something the result of labor. It is always given by the choice of the Lord.

The Lord has many scriptures telling us about what he bases that choice on. Each scripture shows us God looks to those who love and obey Him when He makes that choice.
So you are saying when we reach a certain level of obedience God bequeaths salvation to that person.

I wonder how much love we need to demonstrate towards God so that He will bestow salvation... you say this is in scripture?

Do humans wait until their son/daughter shows them a certain level of love before we make the choice to bestow them with gifts, I think not.
 

SoulWeaver

Senior Member
Oct 25, 2014
4,889
2,534
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#40
Believing is not going to cause sweat on my brow.
Hmmmm I wouldn't agree. Believing is a very challenging work in and of itself. It's actually the hardest thing of all, at least in my experience. One just needs to look at Job to see how challenging it can get. Christian walk is constant hard work of believing not our carnal thoughts and perceptions, but rejecting them and putting faith into God's truth instead. If believing is where it should be, works unfold on their own. But when I am low on faith everything is difficult and impossible.