- Nov 19, 2015
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I am a devout believer in salvation by Grace. I rankle at those that say, “If you are TRULY a believer then works will certainly happen.” I have been around long enough to know that work may not certainly happen. Or they MAY happen, today, tomorrow, or 40 years from now. Suppose you are one of those that takes 10 years to grow into those works, but 9 years from accepting Christ you die. Are you not saved because you have no (or little) works?
I know that some great leaders have said that works are required. On the other hands Paul teaches us in Galatians not to trust in great leaders but to read the Word and think for ourselves.
There is the guy that is converted and catches fire for Christ. He goes out and preaches on the street. He sells everything he has and gives it to the poor.
Then there is the guy that is saved and for a time is paralyzed with fear at the life change while the Holy Ghost is working on him in baby steps.
Which is more saved? If the first guy is surely saved because of his works am I less saved because I have less works? What is the cut-off? If I do 25 and a half works am I saved?
A few weeks ago I volunteered to serve a meal at a homeless shelter. Is that a good work? Is that enough to ‘prove’ my faith? Or do I need more? How much more? By the way, I did it because a fellow church goer mentioned that he does it from time to time and I thought, “how cool, let me help out” not to prove my pudding.
I’ve never heard anyone claim that you are not saved through Grace and not by works. If I did then I have some choice verses I’d like them to explain. I have heard SO OFTEN that we are saved by grace BUT.
What do you mean ‘BUT’. There is no ‘BUT’. You are saved through grace or you are not. The choices are limited.
Saved by grace
Saved by works
Saved by a combination of the two.
This may start a firestorm as I hear arguments but that’s fine by me, as long as we keep it civil of course. I will look up and will consider every single response. I am not trying to win an argument here. I’m trying to learn.
I know that some great leaders have said that works are required. On the other hands Paul teaches us in Galatians not to trust in great leaders but to read the Word and think for ourselves.
There is the guy that is converted and catches fire for Christ. He goes out and preaches on the street. He sells everything he has and gives it to the poor.
Then there is the guy that is saved and for a time is paralyzed with fear at the life change while the Holy Ghost is working on him in baby steps.
Which is more saved? If the first guy is surely saved because of his works am I less saved because I have less works? What is the cut-off? If I do 25 and a half works am I saved?
A few weeks ago I volunteered to serve a meal at a homeless shelter. Is that a good work? Is that enough to ‘prove’ my faith? Or do I need more? How much more? By the way, I did it because a fellow church goer mentioned that he does it from time to time and I thought, “how cool, let me help out” not to prove my pudding.
I’ve never heard anyone claim that you are not saved through Grace and not by works. If I did then I have some choice verses I’d like them to explain. I have heard SO OFTEN that we are saved by grace BUT.
What do you mean ‘BUT’. There is no ‘BUT’. You are saved through grace or you are not. The choices are limited.
Saved by grace
Saved by works
Saved by a combination of the two.
This may start a firestorm as I hear arguments but that’s fine by me, as long as we keep it civil of course. I will look up and will consider every single response. I am not trying to win an argument here. I’m trying to learn.