Requirements of Salvation

[Danthemailman]

Faith without works is dead. What works do you need to do have a living faith?

"Faith without works is dead" does not mean that faith is dead until it produces works and then it becomes a living faith (which would be like saying that a tree is dead until it produces fruit and then it becomes a living tree). James is simply saying faith that is not accompanied by evidential works is dead. We show our faith by our works. (James 2:18) If someone merely says-claims they have faith but lack resulting evidential works, (James 2:14) then they have an empty profession of faith/dead faith and not authentic faith. A living faith produces works and not the other way around. (Ephesians 2:5-10)

The works are the will of God.
"He that doeth the will of God abideth forever."

Salvation by works is not the will of the Father. (Romans 4:5-6; Ephesians 2:8,9; Titus 3:5; 2 Timothy 1:9 etc..). John 6:40 - For my Father’s will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day.

If you think you can live however you want, doing whatever you want and still be counted worthy, you should read
Matthew 7:14 that warns us that few will be saved.

Who said anything about doing whatever you want/sin all you want/live like the devil etc..? That is not a description of those who are born of God. (1 John 3:7-10) Few will be saved because few trust in Jesus Christ as the ALL-sufficient means of their salvation and instead, trust in works for salvation.

The only reason I trust in God is because I have a good conscience towards Him and I only have a good conscience toward Him because I obey Him.

That is a lot of "I"'. So how much obedience must you accomplish and "add" as a supplement to Christ's finished work of redemption in order to help Christ save you? Christ's finished work of redemption is sufficient and complete to save believers. No supplements needed. (Romans 3:24-28)

Remember even the devils believe. But they have no faith (trust/confidence in God) because they have chosen to live contrary to His will.

In James 2:19, we see that the demons believe "mental assent" that "there is one God," but they do not believe/have faith in/trust in/reliance upon Christ for salvation. In other words, they do not believe on the Lord Jesus Christ (Acts 16:31) and are not saved. Their trust and reliance is in Satan, as demonstrated by their rebellion in heaven and continuous evil works.

The path is narrow and you are teaching contrary to it. You must obey God otherwise your trust (faith) in Him is a dead faith.

Are you trusting in Jesus Christ as the ALL-sufficient means of your salvation or are you trusting in your obedience/works as the means of your salvation?

Just as we are told in James 2:26 faith without works is dead. The works are the will of God, the commandments and precepts taught in the Holy Bible, they instruct us to a live a Holy and sanctified life in strict obedience unto His will.

1 John 2:17 "...he that doeth the will of God abideth forever..."

In James 2:26, the comparison of the human spirit and faith converges around their modes of operation. The spirit (Greek pneuma) may also be translated "breath." As a breathless body exhibits no indication of life, so fruitless faith exhibits no indication of life. The source of the life in faith is not works; rather, life in faith is the source of works (Ephesians 2:5-10). You should not confuse God's will for us to become saved with God's will for us after we have been saved.

Acts 5:32 "
And we are his witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him."

Those who repent and believe the gospel have obeyed Him unto salvation. Choosing to believe the gospel is the act of obedience that saves. Romans 10:16 - But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, "Lord, who has believed our report?" Romans 1:16 - For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone who BELIEVES.. Also see Ephesians 1:13.

Why do you think Jesus himself tells us that the lukewarm, hypocrites and unprofitable servants will be cast out into outer darkness? You have to do the works God wants you to to be saved, you must obey Him.

It's really not confusing at all.

Don't confuse make believers with genuine believers.

If you obey God you can trust in Him. If you don't obey Him and live contrary to His will, you cant.

Trusting in works for salvation is not trusting in God. Those who are born of God characterized by obeying Him, yet unbelievers do not obey Him no matter how much so called obedience that they attempt to conjure up in a vain effort to obtain salvation by works. (Matthew 7:22-23)

 

[FreeGrace2]

Faith without works is dead.

Yes, correct. Without works of faith, one's faith cannot be seen.

What works do you need to do have a living faith?
The works are the will of God.
"He that doeth the will of God abideth forever."

A "living faith" is a faith that works. Meaning, a faith that can be seen.

If you think you can live however you want, doing whatever you want and still be counted worthy, you should read
Matthew 7:14 that warns us that few will be saved.

Again, correct. To be "counted worthy", however, is NOT in regard to salvation. It is in regard to being blessed in time and rewarded in eternity.

The only reason I trust in God is because I have a good conscience towards Him and I only have a good conscience toward Him because I obey Him.

I see everything is about YOU. So your so-called "trust in God" is based on YOUR "good conscience towards Him". Well, bully for you. And your claim of a "good conscience" because you "obey Him" is also all about YOU. Well, again, bully for you.

It shows from your own admission that you are the reason you are saved. There is nothing about God in your admission here.

So I must ask; what exactly are you "trusting in God" FOR? It really isn't obvious.

Remember even the devils believe. But they have no faith (trust/confidence in God) because they have chosen to live contrary to His will.

Apples to oranges. Jesus never died for angels anyway. James' only point in v.19 was that demons KNOW (believe from experience) that God is One.

The path is narrow and you are teaching contrary to it.

Nonsense. You teach a very false "gospel". That one is saved by good works. That is exactly what Pharisees believed and taught. And Jesus condemned them.

You must obey God otherwise your trust (faith) in Him is a dead faith. Just as we are told in James 2:26 faith without works is dead. The works are the will of God, the commandments and precepts taught in the Holy Bible, they instruct us to a live a Holy and sanctified life in strict obedience unto His will.

I've explained James 2:14-26. It's up to you to understand it.

1 John 2:17 "...he that doeth the will of God abideth forever..."

Do you even know what "the will of God" actually is in this verse?

John 6:40 - For my Father’s will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day.”

Those who do looks to the Son and believes in Him WILL "abide forever".

Acts 5:32 "
And we are his witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him."

This verse does NOTHING to support your works salvation claim.

Why do you think Jesus himself tells us that the lukewarm, hypocrites and unprofitable servants will be cast out into outer darkness?

A thorough study of the "outer darkness" will show that in NONE of the passages where it occurs refers to the lake of fire.

You have to do the works God wants you to to be saved, you must obey Him.

Here's a verse that REFUTES your claim here, where you attach "obedience" to salvation.

John 6:26-32
26 Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, you are looking for me, not because you saw the signs I performed but because you ate the loaves and had your fill.
27 Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For on him God the Father has placed his seal of approval.”
28 Then they asked him, “What must we do to do the works God requires?”
29 Jesus answered, “The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent.”
30 So they asked him, “What sign then will you give that we may see it and believe you? What will you do?
31 Our ancestors ate the manna in the wilderness; as it is written: ‘He gave them bread from heaven to eat.’ ”
32 Jesus said to them, “Very truly I tell you, it is not Moses who has given you the bread from heaven, but it is my Father who gives you the true bread from heaven.
33 For the bread of God is the bread that comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.”

In v.26 Jesus tells them WHY they were looking for Him. He filled their bellies with literal food, and they wanted more.
In v.27 Jesus tells that to look for that which "endures to eternal life", which is given by Himself.
In v.28 these Jews asked what kind of works (for salvation) does God require.
In v.29 Jesus answers: the "works (for salvation) that God requires is this; to BELIEVE in the One He has sent". Jesus was using the wording the Jews were familiar with. They thought salvation was gained by WORKS, just like you do. So Jesus used their own terminology to teach that what God requires is to BELIEVE in Himself for eternal life.
In v.30 they wanted another miracle to prove that He was worthy of their belief. What idiots! He ALREADY did a miracle by feeding approx 15,000 people out of 5 loaves and 2 fish. But it seems that wasn't enough for them. Pitiful.
In v.31 they cited the literal food of manna in the wilderness. Still focused on their own belly. Very self centered idiots.
In v.32 Jesus makes the point that it was God, not Moses, who actually performed the miracle. And Jesus' feeding of the huge crowd was compared to the Exodus generation being fed by God. Both miracles.

In the next few verses, Jesus claims directly that He is the Bread from heaven.

It's really not confusing at all.

I agree, but your views are confusing, and worse than that, unbiblical.

Now, I've exegeted John 6:26-32. If you still disagree with me, please address the specific points in my exegesis and explain WHY you disagree.

 

[FreeGrace2]

So if God doesnt requires us to obey Him and do His commandments to be saved why did Jesus Himself tell us in Matthew 25:30 "And cast you the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth."

One would have to have a proper understanding of what "outer darkness" actually refers to to understand the answer to your question.

In short, the outer darkness refers to loss of reward in heaven because of disobedience.

 

[FreeGrace2]

"Faith without works is dead" does not mean that faith is dead until it produces works and then it becomes a living faith (which would be like saying that a tree is dead until it produces fruit and then it becomes a living tree).

Wow! What an excellent explanation!! I hadn't thought of it that way. This is perfect. Thanks for sharing. I hope the message sinks in to those who think contrary to the Word.

 

[anna ~ grace]

Works do matter. We must have both.

Faith does not automatically produce good works. With all due respect, Martin Luther had a lot of faith. His works were not that great. So no, good works do not naturally flow from faith. It would be great if that were true, but it is not.

 

[BBAS 64]

Good Day,

Walter Marshall his epic work: The Gospel Mystery of Sanctification | Monergism


God saves us from our sinful uncleanness by the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Ghost, as well as from hell hereafter (Ezek. 36:29; Titus 3:5). Christ was called JESUS, that is, a Saviour, because He saved His people from their sins (Matt. 1:21). Therefore it is a part of our salvation to deliver us from our sins, which is begun in this life by justification and sanctification, and perfected by glorification in the life to come.

Though we are not saved by good works, as procuring causes, yet we are saved to good works, as fruits and effects of saving grace, which God has prepared that we should walk in them (Eph. 2:10). It is, indeed, one part of our salvation to be delivered from the bondage of the covenant of works; but the end of this is, not that we may have liberty to sin (which is the worst of slavery) but that we may fulfill the royal law of liberty, and that we may serve in newness of spirit and not in the oldness of the letter (Gal. 5:13; Rom. 7: 6). Yea, holiness in this life is such a part of our salvation as is a necessary means to make us suitable to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in heavenly light and glory; without holiness we can never see God (Heb. 12:14), and are as unfit for the glorious presence as swine for the presence chamber of an earthly prince. I confess, some may be converted when they are so near the point of death that they may have little time to practice holiness in this world, but the grace of the Spirit is active like fire (Matt. 3:11), and, as soon as it is given, it will immediately produce good inward working of love to God and Christ and His people. This will be sufficient to manifest the righteous judgement of God in saving them at the great day, when He shall
judge every man according to His work; though some possibly may not have so much time to discover their inward grace in any outward works, as the thief upon the cross (Luke 23: 40,43). . .

Great multitudes of ignorant people that live under the gospel harden their hearts in sin, and ruin their souls for ever, by trusting on Christ for such an imaginary salvation as does not consist at all in holiness, but only in forgiveness of sin and deliverance from everlasting torments. They would be free from the punishment due to sin, but they love their lusts so well that they hate holiness, and would not be saved from the service of sin. The way to oppose this pernicious delusion is not to deny, as some do, that trusting on Christ for salvation is a saving act of faith, but rather to show that none do or can trust on Christ for true salvation, except they trust on Him for holiness; neither do they heartily desire true salvation, if they do not desire to be made holy and righteous in their hearts and lives. If ever God and Christ give you salvation, holiness will be one part of it; if Christ does not wash you from the filth of your sins, you have no part with Him (John 13:8). What a strange kind of salvation do they desire, that do not care for holiness? They would be saved, and yet be altogether dead in sin, aliens from the life of God, bereft of the image of God, deformed by the image of Satan, his slaves and vassals to their own filthy lusts, utterly unsuitable for the enjoyment of God in glory. Such a salvation as that was never purchased by the blood of Christ, and those that seek it abuse the grace of God in Christ and turn it into lasciviousness.

In Him,

Bill

 

[Gr8Grace]

One would have to have a proper understanding of what "outer darkness" actually refers to to understand the answer to your question.

In short, the outer darkness refers to loss of reward in heaven because of disobedience.

Which correlates with " saved as if through fire." In Corinthians.
And John addressing the fact that some of us can and will " Shrink in shame at His coming."

Loss of blessing and reward is no small thing. And most believers are never taught this doctrine and think it is equivalent to God taking away a lolli-pop.

Believers salvation is NEVER on the line. But blessings ,rewards and discipline are. It can be very good or it can be very harsh.

 

[BlessedCreator]

Believers salvation is always on the line.

1 Corinthians 10:13 KJB
"There has no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that you are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that you may be able to bear it."

I am daily faced with temptations to disobey God. Such as women throwing themselves in front of me by Satan & demons directings.

But Christ upholds me and I have respect of the reward as Moses did.

Hebrews 11:25 KJB
"Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season;"

 

[Gr8Grace]

I made this because there are people preaching in these final years of the world, teaching that
just by believing on the Lord Jesus Christ you can be saved. If it was that easy we wouldn't have scriptures
warning us that few will be saved and that the path to eternal life is narrow, of which few be there that find it.

A holy and sanctified life lived in strict obedience unto the commandments and precepts taught in the word of God,
the Holy Bible, is required of all those that seek the salvation of their souls. This is what the Bible is speaking
of when it says that we must be born again. Born again means to be transformed by God into a new moral life.

John 3:3 KJB
"Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except
a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God."

If all we had to do was simply believe, demons and the wicked heathen would be saved. For there are
innumerable people in this world that war against God and His saints and know the truth.

James 2:19
"Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble."

If all we had to do was believe then this verse below would have no meaning.

Matthew 7:14
"because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it."

We see from the verse below that they that do the will of God, that keep His commandments and precepts
taught in the word of God, the Holy Bible, will be saved. Believing on the Lord Jesus Christ that He
is the true messiah, that He really is God in the flesh, is the absolute first step anyone must take on the
path of salvation. It is the first commandment of God we must obey, to simply believe on the Lord Jesus Christ.
For why would anyone even begin to consider keeping His commandments and obey Him if you didn't believe He
was who He said He was.

Matthew 7:21
"Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the
will of my Father which is in heaven."

When it says to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ it should always be accompanied with the explanation that
obedience, love and duty to and for Him is also required in this faith.

James 2:17
"Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone."

We see that faith (trust) in God is really false faith without doing the works of God. What works are these?
These works are the commandments and precepts taught in the word of God. For example, overcoming the world,
and the lusts there of, giving alms, preaching the truth of Jesus Christ and the Holy Bible, encouraging one another, loving one another,
honoring your parents, not hating anyone, not stealing, etc. These are just a few of the many holy commandments
given to us by God in the Holy Bible.

1 John 2:17
"And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever."

If the entire Bible could be summed up in one verse I would choose the following.

Ecclesiastes 12:13
"Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man."

Understanding faith and grace.
Faith means to have trust and hope in God.
Grace means the favor of God.
To have faith (trust) in God you must have a good conscious toward Him.
To have a good conscious toward God you must obey Him.
Faith and obedience go hand in hand.
If you are obedient to God's commandments and precepts He will give you true faith, real trust in Him.
He will show you that you can trust in Him by the protection of His Spirit (the Holy Spirit).
Grace and obedience also go hand in hand.
If you are obedient, the grace (favor) of God will be upon you and all that you do.

1 Peter 3:21
"The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the
filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ:"

The above verse is not saying that baptism literally saves us. It is saying that by being baptized
you are keeping God's commandment which will allow you to begin to have a good conscience towards
God because of your obedience. Just as believing on the Lord Jesus Christ is a commandment, so also is baptism.
Continue seeking God's will in all that you do to continue with a good conscience toward God.

If you want to be saved from the damnation of Hell, get in the word of God,
start in the New Testament at the gospel of
Matthew, in a King James Bible (PDF above) and
read every word and do exactly as God's word teaches you.

Religion is always easy to spot........................Not a WORD about CHRIST crucified for us. Always about what the creature is doing and never about what the CREATOR did for us.

1 Cor 1:23~~New International Version
but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles,

 

[Hazelelponi]

Believers salvation is always on the line.

1 Corinthians 10:13 KJB
"There has no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that you are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that you may be able to bear it."

I am daily faced with temptations to disobey God. Such as women throwing themselves in front of me by Satan & demons directings.

But Christ upholds me and I have respect of the reward as Moses did.

Hebrews 11:25 KJB
"Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season;"

Women throwing themselves in front of you? Lol...

Look. If it's like, killing you (emotionally) to follow Christ, perhaps there's something of faith your missing?

Perhaps asking God for help in these matters is more helpful than questioning the level of works others have...

I don't find it a hardship to speak of Christ to others, I don't have issues peeling my eyes away from men (quite frankly I don't even notice them), the things I may struggle with I am quick to ask God's help in, and His guidance.

If praying talking to God, reading and learning from Scripture and about scripture, and walking the Christian walk is a hardship, then ask God for his help.

JESUS said My yoke is easy and my burden light, and I've personally found that to be true even facing the challenges of life. I've had times I needed more prayer, a greater understanding of God.. times I could have faced things better than I did.. but I have learned so much since I was saved, and continue to grow in Christ and don't find anything God has asked of me to be anything more than what He has promised it would be...

So I honestly don't understand the war drums your beating on... sounds to me like your having problems seeing the problem itself.

We all have strengths and we all have weaknesses and Satan will use your every weakness and fear against you, and God will use these to refine you even as gold refined in the fire....

Your fear seems to be not trusting in Christ alone to save you, along with your inability to save yourself, from your postings in this thread anyway.

And so the refining begins.

 

[BlessedCreator]

I dont need anything. I am preaching the truth. The truth wasnt well received in Christ's time and I don't expect it to be in these end times either. People don't want to give up their lusts and desires and ambitions of this world to truly follow Christ as is required. But as Christ told us, they will with the rest of the hypocrites, lukewarm and unprofitable servants be cast into outer darkness and there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

 

[Gr8Grace]

Believers salvation is always on the line.

But Christ upholds me

So which is it?If your salvation is on the line, He can't hold much up.
Heb 7:25~~New International Version
Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them.

 

[FreeGrace2]

Works do matter. We must have both.

To be clear and biblically correct, works DO matter. But NOT for salvation. For blessings in time and eternal reward.

Does it make sense for a human father to bless/reward his children that are rebellious? Of course not. Same for our Heavenly Father. He's no push-over.

In fact, His discipline is painful. Heb 12:11 - No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.

 

[FreeGrace2]

Loss of blessing and reward is no small thing. And most believers are never taught this doctrine and think it is equivalent to God taking away a lolli-pop.

What Arminians seem unwilling to acknowledge is that "loss of blessings" is one side of the coin. The other side is painful discipline, per Heb 12:11. So it's just just loss of blessings. It's painfully more than that.

Believers salvation is NEVER on the line. But blessings ,rewards and discipline are. It can be very good or it can be very harsh.

Amen!

 

[FreeGrace2]

Believers salvation is always on the line.

Please read John 10:28. It isn't.

1 Corinthians 10:13 KJB
"There has no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that you are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that you may be able to bear it."

How does this verse support your claim? It isn't even about salvation.

I am daily faced with temptations to disobey God. Such as women throwing themselves in front of me by Satan & demons directings.

So what? We all are.

But Christ upholds me and I have respect of the reward as Moses did.

Hebrews 11:25 KJB
"Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season;"

OK, great. But none of this results in loss of salvation for anyone who chooses to sin. And I know how much that bugs Arminians.

However, know this. I intentional sin results in loss of God's blessings in time and painful discipline, plus loss of eternal reward. That's no small thing.

 

[BlessedCreator]

If works don't matter why did Jesus warn us that the lukewarm, hypocrites and unprofitable servants would be cast into out darkness where there would be weeping and gnashing of teeth?

And why did Jesus say that if any did not forsake all that he had and pick up his cross and follow Him they could not be His disciple.

Or why does Matthew 7:14 tell us that few will be saved if all we have to do is believe?

Or why are we warned in the book of Revelation about the church of Ephesus that had left their first love (Christ) and how that if they did repent and do the first works their candlestick would be removed. Meaning if they did not rekindle their love and passion for Christ and His cause as they once had and return with the same zeal (endure unto the end) that their candlestick would be removed.

Or why does James 2:26 specifically say that faith without works is dead.

The works are the will of God.

1 John 2:17 "...he that doeth the will of God abideth forever."

Salvation is not as easy as many would have us believe.

 

[FreeGrace2]

I dont need anything.

Yes you do. You need the truth.

I am preaching the truth.

No, you're not.

The truth wasnt well received in Christ's time and I don't expect it to be in these end times either.

What you preach is exactly what the Pharisees preached in Jesus' time.

People don't want to give up their lusts and desires and ambitions of this world to truly follow Christ as is required.

What you miss is that the crowd Jesus referred to in Matt 7:21-23 were very works oriented (moral) and yet, Jesus called them evil doers and to depart from Him.

And, not a word about faith in Christ from them. Only their own works. Which stink, no matter how moral.

 

[Gr8Grace]

I dont need anything. I am preaching the truth. The truth wasnt well received in Christ's time and I don't expect it to be in these end times either.

The majority teach exactly what you have shared. It's rampant these days. Where have you been?

His Grace and mercy, and simply trusting in His work and person for one's salvation is what is NOT received these days.....In fact it is vehemently attacked these days.

John 3:16~~Acts 16:31. Very narrow.

 

[FreeGrace2]

If works don't matter why did Jesus warn us that the lukewarm, hypocrites and unprofitable servants would be cast into out darkness where there would be weeping and gnashing of teeth?

As I noted earlier, you just don't understand what the "outer darkness" refers to. It isn't hell. As you presume.

But it seems you are interested in what Jesus said, let's consider John 10:28 - I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand.

When Jesus said "I give THEM..." we know He was referring to those who believe in Him for salvation, because John 5:24, 6:47 and 1 John 5:13 SAY that those who believe HAVE (as in currently possess) eternal life. So it is Jesus Christ Himself who gives the gift of eternal life.

And what is the result of having eternal life? Never perishing.

So, one's salvation is NEVER on the line. That contradicts what Jesus said about those He gives eternal life. Are you comfortable with opposing Jesus Christ?

And why did Jesus say that if any did not forsake all that he had and pick up his cross and follow Him they could not be His disciple.

Study the word for 'disciple'. In the Greek, it meant a student who studied his mentor to the degree that he mimiced their life. So, to be a disciple is about living just like Jesus did. But that isn't salvation. In the Bible, it is those who believe in Christ who are to become disciples. It does an unbeliever (unsaved) no good to try to mimic the life of Christ. Their works will not save them.

Or why does Matthew 7:14 tell us that few will be saved if all we have to do is believe?

Easy. Because many will not believe.

Or why are we warned in the book of Revelation about the church of Ephesus that had left their first love (Christ) and how that if they did repent and do the first works their candlestick would be removed. Meaning if they did not rekindle their love and passion for Christ and His cause as they once had and return with the same zeal (endure unto the end) that their candlestick would be removed.

You didn't explain what you think "be removed" meant. So I'll explain it. It meant that Christ would close up that church. Maybe through the death of the pastor, or some other way.

Or why does James 2:26 specifically say that faith without works is dead.

I have already explained that too. And you haven't yet tried to address any of my points.

Faith without works is a Christian who isn't living in such a way as to appear as a Christian.

The works are the will of God.

And God's will is stated by Jesus clearlyl in John 6:40, which I've already explained.

1 John 2:17 "...he that doeth the will of God abideth forever."

OK, and I've explained that verse as well. You need to read my posts, and prove my points are incorrect if you disagree with them.

Just repeating yourself only shows that you can't defend any of them.

Salvation is not as easy as many would have us believe.

Yeah, you've said that before.

You know why it isn't "as easy"? Because people don't believe in God, or want to. People don't want to change their lifestyle (be accountable).

Many don't even believe that hell exists. So they have nothing to believe in which to avoid hell.

 

[BlessedCreator]

Faith means absolutely nothing without obedience unto God. The whole Bible is about righteousness and sin. Good vs bad. The devil fell because of disobedience. Adam and Eve fell because of disobedience. Now we are all being tested whether we will obey God or disobey Him, our eternal fate is at stake.