Free Republic
Browse · Search
Religion
Topics · Post Article

To: Forest Keeper; ears_to_hear; wmfights
The context of this can be none other than many thought keeping the works of the Law was how to get into Heaven.

True. This is what St. Paul corrects: purportedly salvific nature of obedience to law.

Those are works of love

No. St. Paul ends everty letter of his with exhortations to works of love; he also says

2 ... if I should have prophecy and should know all mysteries, and all knowledge, and if I should have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. 3 And if I should distribute all my goods to feed the poor, and if I should deliver my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.

...

13 And now there remain faith, hope, and charity, these three: but the greatest of these is charity. (1 Cor 13)

Faith alone is not salvific and sacrifice alone is not salvific. Faith is important, but works of love are "the greatest".
55 posted on 11/12/2007 2:14:29 PM PST by annalex (http://www.catecheticsonline.com/CatenaAurea-Luke17.php)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 54 | View Replies ]


To: annalex; ears_to_hear; wmfights; Campion
FK: "Those are works of love."

No. St. Paul ends every letter of his with exhortations to works of love; he also says ... (1 Cor. 13)

Of course Paul wants us to do works of love. God commands it here:

Matt 22:34-40 : 34 Hearing that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, the Pharisees got together. 35 One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question: 36 "Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?" 37 Jesus replied: "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' 40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments."

Jesus Himself says that doing works of love is following the Law. And Paul tells us that this is NOT how to get into Heaven. Charity, and the like, are FRUITS of salvation, not causes for it. Without fruits, one is not saved.

Faith is important, but works of love are "the greatest".

For salvation, that's exactly what many Jews thought of the Law. It's what Paul shot down.

57 posted on 11/12/2007 4:14:18 PM PST by Forest Keeper (It is a joy to me to know that God had my number, before He created numbers.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 55 | View Replies ]

Free Republic
Browse · Search
Religion
Topics · Post Article


FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson