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and we see God’s gift of eternal salvation to us as an inheritance from our Father rather than a “payoff” for having fulfilled a “contract” by a simple assertion of faith”.

Beautifully said!

What a bunch of bunk...Do you even know what this person is saying???

You don't have to love your Father to get an inheritance...You don't even have to like him...The implication is that you deserve an inheritance since you are a member of the family (your Catholic Church)...

That'll give you a nice feeling and send you straight to Hell if you fall for it...

A payoff for having filled a contract by a simple assertation of Faith??? Faith in Jesus Christ is a bad thing??? For those of you who don't understand Faith, it is not a WORK...It is not something you do...It is something you have...It's in your heart...

You ought to steer clear of whoever is teaching this bunk...

The implication is that you deserve an inheritance since you are a member of the family

Salvation is divine sonship.

Sons deserve their inheritance unless they throw it away and are disinherited.

But what are you again telling people what they ought to believe, while simultaneously claiming they can find out themselves from the Bible?

No. I didn't. I just said it was beautiful to hear myself type (that is sarcasm, in case you weren't sure:)

I do understand, but thank you for your concern.

It is true. Faith in Jesus Christ is the only condition God requires for salvation, but faith is not only a profession about Christ, but an activity. It comes from the heart of one who is devoted to following Christ.

Faith means firmly believing and trusting in the crucified and risen Christ as our personal Lord and Savior (Ro 1:17) and believing with all our hearts (Ro :17 Eph 6:6 Heb 10:22). It is about yielding up our wills in full obedience, daily.

Faith also involves repentance (ie: true sorrow for our sins) Acts 17:30 2 Co 7:10. Saving faith is always a repentant faith.

Faith also includes obedience: Jn 3:3-6 14: 15, 21-24 Heb 3:8-9 (an obedience that comes from faith Ro 1:5)

Faith also includes a heartfelt devotion to Christ. This faith expresses itself in love, trust, thankfulness, and loyalty. Faith is a personal activity of sacrifice and self giving toward Christ (Mt 22:37 Jn 21: 15-17 Acts 8: 37 Ro 6: 17 Gal 2:20 Eph 6:6 1 Pe 1:8)

Faith is not a single act. It is both a single moment and a continuing faith that must grow!

Unfortunately I do not have time to do an exhaustive search of Scripture for you today. I have a meeting with a client shortly. The Scriptures are clear that faith must be followed by action in order to be a saving faith. Off the top of my head Mt 21:23, 10: 37-39 18: 3 and 32. John 8:31-32 8: 51 14:21 and 15: 1-8. Ro 2:13 and finally Ro 23:31 (Do we then nullify the law by this faith? Not at all! Rather we uphold the law).

Read 1 John. Nowhere does John state that a single past experience is an assurance or guarantee of salvation. To assume we posses eternal life based solely on one experience or on a faith that is no longer active is a grave error.

In short, yes Faith IS something you DO! Everyday!

Please don't worry about my salvation, but those who see a one time acceptance of Christ as a “get out of hell free card” who continue to sin and live in the flesh (the old self). Pray for them.

Til we meet again. God Bless you and keep you.