The Two Sides of the Coin of Faith

[Bible Highlighter]

The Two Sides of the Coin of Faith:

The 1st Side of the Coin of Faith:

Faith starts off as a belief or trust in Jesus Christ as one's Savior (John 3:16). We are first saved by God's grace through faith without the deeds of the law or works ALONE (Ephesians 2:8-9). We are saved initially and foundationally by God's grace and mercy like the receiving of a gift. We believe that Christ died for our sins, He was buried, and He was risen three days later for our salvation (1 Corinthians 15:1-4). We call upon the name of the Lord seeking forgiveness with Him (Romans 10:13, Luke 18:9-14). We receive or invite Christ into our life (John 1:12, Revelation 3:20). If a believer stumbles into sin on rare occasion, they do not do a good work to redeem that sin; But they go to God's grace by confessing their sins to Jesus Christ in order to be forgiven of it (See: 1 John 1:9, 1 John 2:1, Hebrews 4:16). This is all a part of how we are saved by God's grace through faith. No man can save themselves by Works Alone without God's grace. Many people who believe in God, and yet they have not accepted Jesus as their Savior think that God will outweigh their good deeds over their bad deeds. Salvation does not work like that. For they do not realize that their bad deeds will condemn them. They need to have their past slate of sins wiped out. This is where God's grace through faith in Jesus comes in.

But faith does not end with being saved by God's grace through faith in Jesus Christ.

The journey of faith continues with...​

The 2nd Side of the Coin of Faith:

#1. Faith manifests itself with the “work of faith” mentioned by the apostle Paul in 1 Thessalonians 1:3, and 2 Thessalonians 1:11. Protestants seem to separate works from faith in a way that goes beyond how James describes them. Yet, the apostle Paul mentions that there is a “work of faith.” The Bible talks about the “work of the Lord” (1 Corinthians 15:58) (1 Corinthians 16:10), and I imagine if I asked a Protestant Christian if the “work” within the “work of the Lord” is separate from “the Lord,” they most likely would say they are not separated. But when it comes to the “work of faith,” they will say that works and faith are separate things (Which in my view is not being consistent or honest with oneself).

#2. The word “faithful” is also mentioned 54 times in the New Testament King James Bible. The dictionary defines faithful as:

Faithful:
(adjective):

1. true to one's word, promises, vows, etc.
2. steady in allegiance or affection; loyal; constant: faithful friends.
3. reliable, trusted, or believed.
4. strict or thorough in the performance of duty: a faithful worker.
​

Source:
Definition of faithful | Dictionary.com

This definition is supported by the context in many verses in the Bible. It does not take a detective to figure out that the word “faithful” derives from the word “faith.” They are related and connected to each other. A person is loyal (or faithful) to their master based on their faith in him in what he says. For example: 2 Thessalonians 3:3 says, “But the Lord is faithful, who shall stablish you, and keep you from evil.” So the Lord is said to be faithful in this verse. How is the Lord faithful? Is it by a belief alone? No. The Lord is faithful to strengthening us (or in establishing us) to keep us from evil. The Lord does something when He is faithful. Revelation 2:10 says to a particular church, “be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.” Many Protestants have tried to come up with tricky ways to not apply this verse to their own life. I believe they do not accept what this verse plainly says because it contradicts their “Faith Alone” teaching that was handed down to them from Martin Luther (the founder of Protestantism).

#3. Romans 10:17. It says,

“So then faith cometh by hearing,
and hearing by the word of God.”
(Romans 10:17).
​

How do we get our faith? According to Romans 10:17, we get our faith by hearing the Word of God. I believe that the “Word of God” can refer to either Jesus, and or the Bible (depending on the context) (Note: See this thread here to see the connection in Scripture between the Living Word and the Bible). Anyways, in this particular instance in Romans 10:17: I believe the “Word of God” refers to the words of Jesus (which are found in the Holy Bible). We must receive the words of Jesus because if we do not, His words will judge us on the last day (See: John 12:48). This would also include the words of His apostles, as well. For Jesus says, “He that receiveth you receiveth me, and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me.” (Matthew 10:40). So faith is basically everything in my New Testament because it gives us an account of the words of Jesus and His followers. We get our faith by believing and obeying what Jesus and His apostles said. Faith is everything in your New Testament, and faith is not just a belief alone in Jesus.

#4. Hebrews 11.
Hebrews 11 gives us an account of what faith does. “By faith Noah, ... prepared an ark to the saving of his house;...” (Hebrews 11:7). “By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac:” (Hebrews 11:17). “By faith Moses, ... refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter; Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season;” (Hebrews 11:24-25). So by faith, the great men of God obeyed God and or put forth holy actions (or the “work of faith”). So in Hebrews 11, the word “faith” is used to represent something a believer does. This faith also rejects sin in one's life, for Moses suffered with the affliction of God's people rather than enjoying the pleasures of sin for a season.

#5. Peter failed to continue to walk on the water (Which is a work of God).
What was the reason why Peter later failed to continue to walk on the water? Jesus said, “O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?” (Matthew 14:31). This again proves that the work of God that can operate in our life is tied to our faith. For in Ephesians 2:9 it refers to Man Directed Works ALONE Salvationism (without God's grace) because it is the kind of work that a man would boast in himself by doing it. But Ephesians 2:10 talks about an entirely different kind of work. It is the work of God done through the believer. These are the works that we are created unto Christ Jesus to do. They are the works of God done through us. For Jesus said we can do nothing without Him (John 15:5). For it is God who works in us to do of His good will and pleasure (Philippians 2:13). So any good we do, all praise, glory, thanks, and honor is given to our Lord Jesus Christ and or to the glorious Trinity (or Godhead).

#6. Paul also mentions that there is an “obedience to the faith" (or obedience of faith) at the beginning and end of the book of Romans (See: Romans 1:5, Romans 16:26). Romans 6 says,

“Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?” (Romans 6:16).
​

So we have to have obedience unto righteousness. For Romans 6 also says, “But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life.” (Romans 6:22). So our obedience unto righteousness is being servants of God and having fruit unto holiness with having the end of everlasting life. This is all a part of the obedience to the faith. There is no such thing as the disobedience of the faith. For Ephesians 5 says, “But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints; Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks. For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.” (Ephesians 5:3-6).

#7. John 3:36 (The Greek word “apeitheō” used in John 3:36 for the English words: “believeth not” (KJB) is translated as “obey not” or “disobedient” in other English bible verses. For example: 1 Peter 3:1, and 1 Peter 3:20 translates apeitheō as “obey not” or “disobedient” and it is used context to being disobedient in regards to one’s righteous conduct (Whereas John 3:36 is translated as believeth not” in the King James Bible). Some translations render the KJB’s John 3:36 “believeth not" as “obey not” in other Translations (NLT, ESV, BLB, NASB, ASV, EXB, GNT). In other words, sometimes the words “believeth not” is synonymous with “obey not” (depending on the context). In fact, you can check this Greek word for yourself and it's usage here at BlueLetterBible.

G544 - apeitheō - Strong's Greek Lexicon (KJV)
​

#8. Works makes a person’s faith perfect (James 2:22).
This connects in with 2 Timothy 3:16-17. Doctrine and instruction in righteousness is profitable so that the man of God may be perfect unto all good works. Anyways, the point here is that your faith is perfected by works. Thus, this shows us that there is a symbiotic relationship between faith and works that cannot be separated.

#9. 2 Corinthians 5:7 says: “We walk by faith.” So faith is not something whereby you do nothing but believe. We are to walk by faith. Walking is an action.

#10. Examine whether you be in the faith - 2 Corinthians 13:5. How do we do this? Well, this is by proving Christ is in you. How can we show that we know the Lord? By keeping His commandments (1 John 2:3). However, the person who says they know the Lord and they do not keep His commands is a liar and the truth is not in them (1 John 2:4). So keeping His commands is tied to knowing the Lord, and knowing the Lord is in us is a part of our examination of whether we are in the faith or not (2 Corinthians 13:5).

#11. Galatians 5:6 says, “faith which worketh by love.”
Paul says in context within Galatians:

“For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another. For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.” (Galatians 5:13-14).
​

So faith works by love. It works in love by loving one another. Faith is not just a belief alone.

#12. Philippians 2:17 talks about “the service of your faith.” Service is a form of work. So our faith will have service or work attached. So there is no faith that is alone or remains as a belief alone. True faith will have it's service.

#13. 2 Thessalonians 3:2 says, “And that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men: for all men have not faith.” This is suggesting that faith is not a belief alone whereby we can live wickedly. For it says that we may be delivered from wicked men for (because) all men have not faith. So the opposite of wickedness is holiness. So this verse is implying indirectly that our good and moral conduct is tied to the faith.

#14. 1 Timothy 5:8 says, “But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.” An infidel is an unbeliever. If faith is exclusively a belief alone then how can a person deny the faith by their misconduct?

#15. 1 Timothy 6:12 says, “Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life,” We have to FIGHT the good fight of faith in order to lay hold on eternal life. So faith is something we have to fight for and it is not a belief alone.

#16. 2 Timothy 3:1-9 describes those who have a form of godliness but deny the power thereof. They are lovers of pleasure more than lovers of God. These types are said to be reprobate concerning the faith (See: 2 Timothy 3:8). So faith is not a belief alone in Jesus whereby one’s conduct is not in line with true godliness.

#17. James 2:1 says, “My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons.” This means faith is not a belief alone in Jesus, but it also includes one’s actions in not neglecting to love the poor brethren while one shows favor to the rich brethren.

#18. Jude says:

“Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints. For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Jude 1:3-4).
​

Verse 3 says that we are to contend for the faith and verse 4 says there are certain ungodly men who turn the grace of our God into lasciviousness. Meaning, they are teaching that a person can sin and still be saved by God’s grace. But we are told to contend for the faith.

#19. Revelation 13:10 says,

“Anyone who is destined for prison will be taken to prison.
Anyone destined to die by the sword will die by the sword.
This means that God’s holy people must endure
persecution patiently and remain faithful.”
(Revelation 13:10) (NLT).

“He that leadeth into captivity shall go into captivity:
he that killeth with the sword must be killed with the sword.
Here is the patience and the faith of the saints.”
(Revelation 13:10 (KJB).
​

In other words, this is saying that believers can sometimes go to prison and or be killed as a part of the faith (or in being faithful, i.e. the faith).

#20. Faith without works is dead (James 2:17). Can a dead faith save anyone?

#21. We are justified by works and not by faith alone (James 2:24). The same word “justified" is used for both faith and works. Most Christians will not argue against how we are justified by faith in regards to salvation. But this same word “justified" is used in reference for works, too.

#22. James says he will show you his faith by his works (James 2:18).
For 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).
​

James appears to criticize the person who has faith without works by saying show me your faith without works, and I will show my faith by my works. This means faith and works are tied together because works is how one shows their faith.

​

So in conclusion:

Faith is like a coin that has two sides to it. The first side of the coin of faith is trusting or believing in God's grace and seeking forgiveness with the Lord Jesus and believing the gospel, and the second side (or other side) of the coin of faith is the “work of faith.” (that is a part of the Sanctification Process of the Holy Spirit that helps us to live a holy life).

“Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:" (Hebrews 12:14).

“And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;" (Hebrews 5:9).

“For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.” (Romans 8:13).

“They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.” (Titus 1:16).

 

[Bible Highlighter]

IMPORTANT NOTE:​

To all:

Please do not misunderstand me, my friends. There is not a one sized fits all salvation package for all people. Babies who are aborted (and those who are mentally handicapped since birth whereby they do not know right or wrong) are obviously saved by God's grace without even having any kind of faith. I also believe that a person who is about to die can believe in Jesus as their Savior and be saved without having to call upon the name of the Lord, and without having to seek forgiveness over their sins with the Lord Jesus, and or without believing the gospel in 1 Corinthians 15:1-4. Why? Because John 1:12 says that we can become the sons of God by just believing in His name. But Jesus says to whom much is given, much is required (Luke 12:48). So the believer who lives out their faith, they are going to be required to act on the other aspects of God's grace. They are going to be required to act on the second side of the coin of faith in doing the work of faith or in being faithFUL. For when you think of the word faithful in relation to a man and woman, do you think of how they just have a belief alone in their marriage or do you think that it has to do with their being loyal in their actions towards one another? Think, my friends. The word “faithful” is derived from the word “faith.”

THIS IS A BIG POINT:​

In James 2:21, it says, “Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar?” Yet, Hebrews 11:17 says, “By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac:”; So as you can see, Abraham offering up Isaac is called a work in James 2:21, and yet in Hebrews 11:17, he is said to have offered up Isaac by faith. So they are the same thing! Faith and work are the same thing because faith comes by hearing and hearing the Word of God (Romans 10:17). Everything in your Bible is of the faith. If God is telling you to do something in HIs Word, you have to choose to believe it or not (i.e., faith).

 

[Scott Husted]

In scripture (as else where) "two's" come in many forms ...

 

[RickReads]

I skimmed your piece. Didn`t find what I was looking for.

Much talk, not a word about the work of the Holy Spirit in a believers life.

You replace Him with the saving power of works.

 

[ozso]

This looks like other threads you've started. Seems like an issue you need to keep going over.

 

[Bible Highlighter]

I skimmed your piece. Didn`t find what I was looking for.

Much talk, not a word about the work of the Holy Spirit in a believers life.

You replace Him with the saving power of works.

While we are initially and ultimately saved by God's grace, and while Sanctification does include the Holy Spirit, you fail to understand that Sanctification involves making a believer to live a holy life (as a part of God's plan of salvation).

After we are saved by God's grace, you also need to continue in God's plan of salvation in the Sanctification Process (Which includes cooperating with the good work God wants to do through us, putting away sin, and living holy by His power). For...

1. We are justified by works and not by faith alone (James 2:24).
   
   
2. Faith without works is dead (James 2:17).
   
   
3. A person can deny God by a lack of works (Titus 1:16).
   
   
4. Jesus agreed with the lawyer that to love God, and to love your neighbor is a part of inheriting eternal life (Luke 10:25-28).
   
   
5. Those who have done good, shall come forth unto the resurrection of life; and those who have done evil, shall come forth unto the resurrection of damnation (John 5:29).
   
   
6. We have to continue in His goodness, otherwise we can be cut off [just like the Jews were cut off] (Romans 11:21-22).
   
   
7. Helping the poor, and the unfortunate relates to inheriting the Kingdom (Matthew 25:34-40), and not helping the poor, and the unfortunate relates to going away into everlasting punishment (Matthew 25:41-46).
   
   
8. Whoever does not righteousness or does not love his brother is not of God (1 John 3:10).
   
   
9. Whoever does what Jesus says is likened unto a wise man who built his house upon the rock, and when a storm came, it did not fall, (Matthew 7:24-25), but the person who does not do what Jesus says is likened unto a fool who built his house upon the sand, and when a storm came, great was the fall of that house (Matthew 7:26-27).
   
   
10. Abiding in Jesus will bear much fruit, but if a person does not abide in Jesus [thereby being unfruitful], they are cast out [or cut off] like a branch to be burned in the fire (John 15:5-6).
    
    
11. If the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear? Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing (1 Peter 4:18-19).
    
    
12. Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord (Hebrews 12:14) (NKJV).

So which verses referenced above do you disagree with?
How do you re-interpret them to fit your belief?

Also, God is not going to force us to believe and obey His Word (i.e. the Holy Bible). Sure, He can nudge us, but the ball is ultimately in our court if we want to obey His Word or not. Those who do not obey God's Word are spoken of in a bad light in the Bible. So I am not sure where you get the thinking that doing good works is unessential to God's plan of salvation. Yes, there is grace. We are initially and foundationally saved by grace through faith. But we need to also continue in the faith. We need to be fruitful for our Lord, too. For the unprofitable servant was cast into outer darkness. Do you remember when Jesus said in John 14:23?

“Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.” (John 14:23).

In other words, God the Father and Jesus will make His home in us if we keep His words. What words of Jesus would that be? Forgiving others (Matthew 6:14-15), and loving God and loving your neighbor (Which is a part of eternal life) (See again: Luke 10:25-28). Loving the brethren and doing righteousness (Which shows we are of God) (1 John 3:10).

 

[Bible Highlighter]

I skimmed your piece. Didn`t find what I was looking for.

Much talk, not a word about the work of the Holy Spirit in a believers life.

You replace Him with the saving power of works.

It's about faith. Do you not agree that we need to have faith as a part of pleasing God?
By faith... Noah built the Ark. So Noah did not do nothing as a part of his faith.
Do you think Noah would have been saved if he refused to obey God in building an Ark?

 

[Bible Highlighter]

I skimmed your piece. Didn`t find what I was looking for.

Much talk, not a word about the work of the Holy Spirit in a believers life.

You replace Him with the saving power of works.

Rick:

How do you define the word “faithful” and how that is used today?
Do we not refer to a husband and wife being faithful in relation to their actions?
So being faithful to another involves doing something and or refraining from things.
For a husband cannot refuse to not do loving things towards his wife and say that he is faithful to her.
Can a loyal servant be truly faithful to his king if he disobeys his orders?
So again, the word faithful implies do things and or it implies our moral conduct in some way.

Now think about that word faithful. It naturally comes from the word faith, right?
faithFUL. Faithful. Faithful. This is why many today misunderstand faith. I presented a biblical case for a more comprehensive picture of faith that many Christians today will not accept because they want the easy and smooth and wide gate path.

All I can do is lead to you the water of God's Word. But I cannot force anyone to drink of that water. I cannot force anyone to drink. You have to play the flute. You have to make it your own. I am just pointing to what God's Word says. It's up to you to believe it.

 

[RickReads]

Rick:

How do you define the word “faithful” and how that is used today?
Do we not refer to a husband and wife being faithful in relation to their actions?
So being faithful to another involves doing something and or refraining from things.
For a husband cannot refuse to not do loving things towards his wife and say that he is faithful to her.
Can a loyal servant be truly faithful to his king if he disobeys his orders?
So again, the word faithful implies do things and or it implies our moral conduct in some way.

Now think about that word faithful. It naturally comes from the word faith, right?
faithFUL. Faithful. Faithful. This is why many today misunderstand faith. I presented a biblical case for a more comprehensive picture of faith that many Christians today will not accept because they want the easy and smooth and wide gate path.

All I can do is lead to you the water of God's Word. But I cannot force anyone to drink of that water. I cannot force anyone to drink. You have to play the flute. You have to make it your own. I am just pointing to what God's Word says. It's up to you to believe it.

You have not been appointed to nor are qualified to lead anyone. Let alone been invited too. You make many assumptions about me though you know nothing about me. Frankly, I find it repulsive.

Your works-based salvation is useless because God rejected it long ago.

 

[Bible Highlighter]

You have not been appointed to nor are qualified to lead anyone. Let alone been invited too. You make many assumptions about me though you know nothing about me. Frankly, I find it repulsive.

Your works-based salvation is useless because God rejected it long ago.

Well, I do not believe in being saved by:

“Works Alone-ism”
(Which is what Paul fought against).​

Anymore than I believe that is the opposite error extreme side of the spectrum of:

“Belief Alone-ism.”
(Which is what James fought against).​

Anyways, both are errors in regards to Soteriology.

How about dealing with the points I brought up in Scripture?
Care to take a shot?

 

[Bible Highlighter]

You have not been appointed to nor are qualified to lead anyone. Let alone been invited too. You make many assumptions about me though you know nothing about me. Frankly, I find it repulsive.

Your works-based salvation is useless because God rejected it long ago.

This also really does not answer my questions on the word faithFUL.

 

[Bible Highlighter]

You have not been appointed to nor are qualified to lead anyone. Let alone been invited too. You make many assumptions about me though you know nothing about me. Frankly, I find it repulsive.

Your works-based salvation is useless because God rejected it long ago.

Again, what do you make of the verses in post #6?

 

[RickReads]

Again, what do you make of the verses in post #6?

Only thing I have said to you about works is that your works will not save you. You misunderstand James and many other portions of scripture. You falsely accuse those who disagree with you of being against works and of wanting to live in sin. Your error is easy to expose.

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.

22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?

23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.


These people are people who died in their sins thinking they were saved. They professed Christianity. But they put their faith for salvation in their deeds instead of on the cross. This is the result your doctrine will produce.

 

[ozso]

Again, what do you make of the verses in post #6?

You seem to be addicted to starting virtually the same works = salvation thread over and over, telling others how they're supposed to respond to you, handing out assignments, making the same accusations, giving and receiving the same criticisms etc.

 

[d taylor]

Did not read your long write up, if something is that long, then they are making receiving Eternal Life (salvation as many say) complicated.

It is as simple as this, if a person wants to receive God's free gift of Eternal Life. Then believe that Jesus is the promised Messiah from the prophecies of The Tanakh and trust in The Messiah for God's free gift of Eternal Life.

You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me. But you are not willing to come to Me that you may have life.

Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me has everlasting life.

 

[Bible Highlighter]

Only thing I have said to you about works is that your works will not save you. You misunderstand James and many other portions of scripture. You falsely accuse those who disagree with you of being against works and of wanting to live in sin. Your error is easy to expose.

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.

22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?

23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

Matthew 7:22-23 is one of my favorite passages and I have gone over Matthew 7 tons of times.
The problem is that you fail to understand that Jesus did not cast them out because they did wonderful works but because they ALSO worked iniquity or sin.

First, Jesus did not say “Depart from me because ye do wonderful works in my name.” Jesus did not say that was the reason why they were being told to depart from Him. Second, in Matthew 7:26-27 Jesus makes it clear that the person who does not do what He says is like a fool who built His house upon the sand and when a storm came, great was the fall of that house. So it's not just believing in Jesus alone that will save you, but it is in doing what He actually says (Which includes various commands).

Think of like this. If we do not do what Jesus says (according to Matthew 7:26-27), we will be like this house....

So lets look at the passage.

Jesus says:

26 “And every one that heareth these sayings of mine,
and doeth them not,
shall be likened unto a foolish man,
which built his house upon the sand:
27 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.” (Matthew 7:26-27).

These people are people who died in their sins thinking they were saved. They professed Christianity. But they put their faith for salvation in their deeds instead of on the cross. This is the result your doctrine will produce.

Right, so then how do you explain 1 John 1:7?
Do you not need to walk in the light as Christ is in the light (i.e. God the Father) in order for the blood of Jesus to cleanse you from all sin? Do you not know that 1 John 2:9-11 is telling us by indirect wording that walking in the light = loving your brother? This is confirmed even more by 1 John 3:10 that basically says that the person who does not love his brother and does not righteousness is not of God. Is a person who is not of God.... saved? 1 John 3:15 says whoever hates his brother is like a murderer and no murderer has eternal life abiding in him. Sounds like I have to live morally correct as a part of eternal life to me. But you can continue to keep changing the obvious and plain meaning of God's Word if you like.

 

[Bible Highlighter]

Only thing I have said to you about works is that your works will not save you. You misunderstand James and many other portions of scripture. You falsely accuse those who disagree with you of being against works and of wanting to live in sin. Your error is easy to expose.

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.

22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?

23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.


These people are people who died in their sins thinking they were saved. They professed Christianity. But they put their faith for salvation in their deeds instead of on the cross. This is the result your doctrine will produce.

Additionally, you are also not aware that Matthew 7:21 is not a belief alone like a person just thinking they can call upon the name of the Lord only to be saved. The person who does the will of the Father in Heaven will enter the kingdom of Heaven. That's what Matthew 7:21 says.

1 Thessalonians 4:3 says, “For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication:”

So God the Father's will is sanctification in living holy like abstaining from fornication. That's God will for our life because God does not want us to sin because God is good and holy and He hates sin.

 

[Bible Highlighter]

Only thing I have said to you about works is that your works will not save you. You misunderstand James and many other portions of scripture. You falsely accuse those who disagree with you of being against works and of wanting to live in sin. Your error is easy to expose.

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.

22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?

23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.


These people are people who died in their sins thinking they were saved. They professed Christianity. But they put their faith for salvation in their deeds instead of on the cross. This is the result your doctrine will produce.

On top of that, if you were to check out more of context in Matthew 7, you will learn the following, as well.

“Beware of false prophets,
which come to you in sheep's clothing,
but inwardly they are ravening wolves.
Ye shall know them by their fruits.
Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?
Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit;
but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.
A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit,
neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.
Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.”
(Matthew 7:15-20).​

If your point was a belief alone in Jesus + nothing else (Which equates with a believer thinking they can sin and still be saved), then why do we see the exact opposite of that being described in Matthew 7:15-20?

Jesus said we will know false prophets by their fruits. Fruits are deeds.

John the baptist said,

“Bring forth therefore fruits worthy of repentance,” (Luke 3:8).​

The apostle Paul said,

“But shewed first unto them of Damascus,
and at Jerusalem, and throughout all the coasts of Judaea,
and then to the Gentiles,
that they should repent and turn to God,
and do works meet for repentance.”
(Acts of the Apostles 26:20).
​

So Jesus was referring to our deeds in how that a good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit and a bad tree cannot bring forth good fruit.

For Jesus said:

“Either make the tree good, and his fruit good; or else make the tree corrupt, and his fruit corrupt: for the tree is known by his fruit. O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh. A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things. But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.” (Matthew 12:33-37).​

For Jesus said:

“For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies: These are the things which defile a man: but to eat with unwashen hands defileth not a man.” (Matthew 15:19-20).
​

And John the baptist said:

“And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: therefore every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.” (Matthew 3:10).​

Think about that. If we do not produce good fruit, we will be cut down by God.
For the unprofitable servant is cast into outer darkness where there is weeping and gnashing of teeth (Matthew 25:30).

 

[Bible Highlighter]

To all:

No doubt many believers today think they should do good works. But they also believe they can sin and still be saved, too (all because they have a belief alone on Jesus). This is why I believe Jesus told these kind of believers to depart from Him because they are ALSO working iniquity (sin) in Matthew 7:22-23. They justified sin under God's grace (Which Jude 1:4 warns us about). Proverbs 28:13 says he that confesses and forsakes sin shall have mercy.

 

[Bible Highlighter]

The apostle Paul said a person can deny God by a lack of works (Titus 1:16).
Is a person who denies God saved?
But it is even more than just doing good works as we can see in Matthew 7:22-23.
It is living holy by not justifying sin or iniquity.
For we are told to follow after peace with all men and holiness without which no man shall see the Lord (Hebrews 12:14).
Jesus is the author of eternal salvation to all who OBEY Him (Hebrews 5:9).