Is Obedience Necessary for the Christian?

[Tangible]

If we are not saved through our good works, then what role do good works play in the Christian life? What exactly are the good works God has created us in Christ to do, and what is their purpose?

In this excellent, short video, Dr. Scott Keith answers the question "Is Obedience Necessary for the Christian?"

 

[Hidden In Him]

If we are not saved through our good works, then what role do good works play in the Christian life? What exactly are the good works God has created us in Christ to do, and what is their purpose?

In this excellent, short video, Dr. Scott Keith answers the question "Is Obedience Necessary for the Christian?"

Tangible, thank you for the post. Scott Kieth seems like a very personable guy, and an articulate speaker who comes off very friendly. For you to post someone like him would kinda suggest you might be of the same character.

That having been said, I hope you would engage in a discussion on this peaceably with me. Don't think I've engaged in a thread on this topic here at the Forum yet, and it is admittedly theologically heavy and extremely controversial. I have zero interest in strife or squabbling between Christians on any issue. I think it just ends up being Satan using Christians to attack one another, nothing much of any real benefit.

So I will pose a question to you, and hopefully we can get in a little interesting exchange with one another before chaos ensues, which it inevitably will the minute this thread gets noticed.

I disagree with his position, and I say this not as a Catholic but a Protestant. My first question is do you consider practicing forgiveness a work, and if so how do you interpret Matthew 18:21-35 in light of your position? Does this parable apply to salvation?

 

[Soyeong]

If we are not saved through our good works, then what role do good works play in the Christian life? What exactly are the good works God has created us in Christ to do, and what is their purpose?

In this excellent, short video, Dr. Scott Keith answers the question "Is Obedience Necessary for the Christian?"

It's tautological, but someone can't be a follower of Christ without being a follower of Christ, someone can't have faith in God without having faith in God, and someone can't be saved from doing what is sinful without being saved from doing what is sinful. The word "Christian" means "follower of Christ", so it is necessary for Christians to follow his commands and to follow his example of doing good works and it is necessary for those who have faith in God to guide us away from sin to how we should rightly live by following His Laws for how to avoid sin and for how to rightly live. According to Titus 2:11-14, our salvation involves being trained by grace to do what is godly, righteous, and good and to renounce doing what is ungodly, sinful, and Lawless, so Christ giving himself to redeem us from all Lawlessness and to purity for himself a people who are zealous for doing the good works that the Law requires by grace through faith is what our salvation from doing what is sinful looks like (Acts 21:20).

 

[SkyWriting]

If we are not saved through our good works, then what role do good works play in the Christian life? What exactly are the good works God has created us in Christ to do, and what is their purpose?

The only "work" required is Faith in God.
Anything after that is honoring that
decision to have faith.

No "actions" are required, but if you
do believe, then you choose to treat
the world and others as you would
want them to treat you.
For this is the essence of the Law and the prophets.

 

[1213]

If we are not saved through our good works, then what role do good works play in the Christian life? What exactly are the good works God has created us in Christ to do, and what is their purpose?

I think there is no purpose in good works. Person who is righteous wants to do good works, because he understands it is good and right. Works are like fruits, good tree produces good fruits, similarly as righteous produces good works as fruits.


By their fruits you will know them. Do you gather grapes from thorns, or figs from thistles? Even so, every good tree produces good fruit; but the corrupt tree produces evil fruit. A good tree can't produce evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree produce good fruit. Every tree that doesn't grow good fruit is cut down, and thrown into the fire. Therefore, by their fruits you will know them. Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter into the Kingdom of Heaven; but he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.
Matt. 7:16-21

He who does righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous. He who sins is of the devil, for the devil has been sinning from the beginning. To this end the Son of God was revealed, that he might destroy the works of the devil. Whoever is born of God doesn't commit sin, because his seed remains in him; and he can't sin, because he is born of God. In this the children of God are revealed, and the children of the devil. Whoever doesn't do righteousness is not of God, neither is he who doesn't love his brother.
1 John 3:7-10

In that way, the fruits are just something that reflects what we are inside. And the inside is what matters, because all works come from there.

For from within, out of the hearts of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, sexual sins, murders, thefts, covetings, wickedness, deceit, lustful desires, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, and foolishness. All these evil things come from within, and defile the man."
Mark 7:21-23

That is why I think Jesus taught:

You blind guides, who strain out a gnat, and swallow a camel! "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion and unrighteousness. You blind Pharisee, first clean the inside of the cup and of the platter, that the outside of it may become clean also. "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitened tombs, which outwardly appear beautiful, but inwardly are full of dead men's bones, and of all uncleanness. Even so you also outwardly appear righteous to men, but inwardly you are full of hypocrisy and iniquity.
Matt. 23:24-28

Works are nothing, if your inside is full of unrighteousness. But if you are righteous inside, your works will also be righteous. And I think that is the reason why eternal life is for righteous, they will use it well and not for evil.

These will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.
Mat. 25:46