First, I want to say that I love the avatar. It reminds me of this scene I seen in a nature documentary TV series called "
North America."
You said:
I'm seeing a lot of: "by grace through faith" to be saved is enough.
Although it's true -- it may not be how you're taught it. It's no surprise this is one of the most popular and repeated mantra's of the Bible: it's an easy ticket to heaven.
Second, I agree with what you said here.
I recently just talked about Ephesians 2:8-9 in another thread to another poster who believes the easy ticket method to Heaven (of which I do not prescribe to).
Here is what I said to them:
"Yes, we are initially saved by God's grace through faith in Jesus Christ. Jesus is the gift of God. For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son. But how many times are gifts received? Do you keep receiving the same gift over and over and over again? Or do you receive gifts one time? I say this because if a gift is received one time, then that means that Ephesians 2:8-9 is talking about a one time event (i.e. Initial Salvation).
Ephesians 2:1 says that Christ has quickened us. How many times do you think a believer is "quickened"? Surely it must be one time, right? So again, Ephesians 2 is talking about a one time event (i.e. Initial Salvation). Paul says to the Ephesians that Christ may dwell in their hearts by faith (Ephesians 3:17). How many times does that happen for a believer? How many times can Christ be invited to dwell in our hearts generally? Usually this is one time in most cases. So again, the context of Ephesians 2:8-9 is "Initial Salvation."
Ephesians 2:9 is also talking about "Man Directed Works Alone Salvationism" (Without God's grace through faith in Jesus) because it is referring to the kind of work that a person would boast in themselves in doing. Is that what you think I believe? That I boast in my own good works and seek the attention of men?
Far from it.
I believe God does the good work through the believer (Philippians 2:12) (John 15:5). This means that I believe in boasting in God for any good work He does through my life. For why else do you think the 24 elders cast down their crowns before Jesus? It's because it was the Lord who ultimately did the good work through them (under their cooperation and surrender to the Lord of course).
Ephesians 2:10 switches gears and talks about a different kind of work (i.e. God directed works done through the believer or Sanctification). For verse 10 mentions that these are the kind of works that a believer is created to do in Christ Jesus since the foundation of the world. These are the kind of works that follow God's saving grace through faith in Jesus Christ.
In other words, Paul is saying, "Do not put the cart before the horse."
Paul was fighting against "Circumcision Salvationism" (Which is Law Alone Salvationism without God's grace); A certain sect of Jews were trying to deceive some Christians into thinking they had to first be circumcised in order to be saved. This was a heresy that was clearly addressed at the Jerusalem council (See Acts of the Apostles 15:1, Acts of the Apostles 15:5, Acts of the Apostles 15:24). Paul also addressed this problem; Paul said to the Galatians that if you seek to be circumcised, Christ will profit you nothing (Galatians 5:2), and then Paul mentions how if you seek to be justified by the Law, you have fallen from grace (Galatians 5:4). This "law" is the Torah because circumcision is not a part of the commands given to us by Jesus and His followers. The best video that opened my eyes to this fact is this one here:
You said:
First let's interpret this verse in context. The author is writing to those who boast about their salvation, by thinking they are saved by their own doing.
The author is simply pointing out the foundation for salvation. In layman's terms, "your good deeds cannot save you".
So if good deeds can't save you, then what can?
Does it end at, "by grace through faith"?
Let's look at what Jesus said.
"If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it." Matthew 16:24
Wait...but preacher said all I needed was to have faith?
Jesus points out 3 important things: deny yourself, take up your cross, and follow Him.
What's denying yourself? To deny your flesh, all worldly pleasures, accept that you are capable of nothing on your own, and most importantly before anything in your life, including eating, sleeping, breathing...God comes first.
Taking up your cross? Be ready to die for your faith, crucify your old flesh, are you ready to hate your mother, father, brother, sister? Are you willing to give up everything you have?
Follow him? Be like him -- obey the Fathers will, follow him how a sheep follows it's Shepard, put your trust in his ability to lead you to good pastures, don't doubt, be baptized.
Three, I believe we must be "
spirit baptized" by the Holy Spirit to be saved, and not water baptized. This normally happens when we first accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior in seeking forgiveness with Him (believing in His death and resurrection for salvation).
You said:
"Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God." John 3:5 Well Jesus says, you need to be born of water and the Spirit.
Yes, this is a part of the "
spirit baptism" done by the Spirit automatically in most cases when we first accept Jesus Christ as our Savior. We are given a new heart with new desires.
I believe being "
born of water" is in reference to being born again by hearing the Holy Scriptures (i.e. the Bible). For Ephesians 5:25-27 says that we are sanctified and cleansed by the washing of the water of the Word (i.e. Scripture). Peter says we are: "...born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth forever." (1 Peter 1:23).
You said:
But preacher said all I need is faith?
James says,
"Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works."
(James 2:18).
"Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone."
(James 2:17).
"Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only." (James 2:24).
Paul was fighting against "Works Alone Salvationism" (without God's grace) because of the heresy of "Circumcision Salvationism."
James was fighting against "Belief Alone Salvationism" (without the necessity of Sanctification as a part of salvation).
Paul was condemning "Man Directed Works Alone-ism" as a way of salvation (Which nullified Justification or salvation in God's grace through faith). James was promoting God Directed Works done through the believer after one is saved by God's grace (i.e. Sanctification). Paul and James were each fighting two wrong extremes. There needs to be a healthy balance of both Justification and Sanctification as a part of God's plan of salvation for our lives.
Conclusion:
Having a faith alone (or belief alone) is not enough. For even the demons believe and tremble (James 2:19). For if faith does not have works, it is dead (James 2:17). Many want the easy and wide gate path. But Jesus says narrow is the way that leads unto life, and FEW be there that find it (Matthew 7:13-14). The only Trinitarian Sola Scriptura church that I have discovered who believes like me in the fact that we are saved by "God's grace through faith + Works of Faith" is called: "Christ's Sanctified Holy Church."
Christ's Sanctified Holy Church-Holiness unto the Lord
This church exists only on the Eastern seaboard here in the States. They are descent in size, but by comparison to the whole of the US, they are the FEW number in regards to their view on Salvation (or Soteriology). Most churches today believe you can sin and still be saved on some level and that you are saved solely on the basis of having a belief alone on Jesus. But there are many verses that contradict this kind of thinking, though. Why? Because God is good, and He is holy and righteous. For if a sinful believer were to enter into Heaven right now in their sinful state and mindset, they would not feel comfortable in such a holy place that is purely of righteousness and goodness. They would feel out of place and be like a stranger. This is why we have to conform to the image of Christ today. For without holiness, no man shall see the Lord (Hebrews 12:14).
Side Note:
Anyways, if you love the words of Jesus that teach us to follow Him, then I think you will love checking out this trailer for a new Christian movie that is out in limited theaters here in the States.
I hope what I posted helps;
May the Lord's goodness be upon you always.
Sincerely,
~ J.
