Posted on 12/30/2013 12:45:24 AM PST by dila813
What is it called when a Christian who does good deeds thinks they can sin because of their good works?
Do you know someone like this? How do you deal with them?
I feel like I should confront them, but currently I am just ignoring them. What is the right thing to do?
Some of them have significant influence in and around my family. I am very uncomfortable.
I find it is frustrating to deal with someone who feels they are so superior to others that they can lie, cheat, steal, and do other similar sins all day long because they are involved with a Christian Non-Profit / Missions.
[Disclaimer: Eternal life is a free gift, no amount of works can gain us salvation, we must be born again]
I think each side of the argument has its points, it is just that neither side can coincide the two.
Here is a few verses for the other side.
James 2
18 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.
1john 3
18 My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue, but in deed and in truth.
The above is what happens when we are born again, but having been born again does not mean we are not sinners.
We can not change what we are but we can change our attitude toward it and not gloat in our sins.
Rev 20:12
And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.
rev 20:13
And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works.
They were judged by their works.
Works is also mentioned about eight times in rev ch 2 and 3.
You failed to answer my question. How is my example different, in anything but scope, from your advice to the OP? The answer is that it is not. You “forgive” criminal activity by someone “doing good works”, ignoring the victims of his criminal actions. This includes the OP who has come to question his/her faith because of the actions of said criminal. Being a member of a religous organization does not excuse the criminal actions of that member, no matter what they are. they should be reported and prosecuted to the full extent of the law.
Please...spare me the histrionics.
pray for that person . the most important thing is being with Jesus
There’s a picture there. Your computer may need adjusting.
My post to you actually had nothing to do with the article, I did not read it.
I linked it because I quoted from it with this quote:
According to recent demographic surveys, it seems there are presently 30 million people in the U.S. who identify themselves as former Catholics.When we read God's word, for ourselves, and not have someone interfering with our comprehension of it, we get real peace and real rest from it.
Very true. You left out an important part: always, when reading God's Word, pray for the Holy Spirit to interpret it for you.
But God's words can stand on their own, and also be understood on their own, if we really try.Looks like you have it goin' on, good for you! And don't forget the Holy Spirit when reading the Word.Keep at it, and keep reading God's Bible.
There was an image and apparently somebody complained and had it yanked. Regardless, thanks for being a shining star of Christian charity toward other Christians (whether you believe they are Christian or not). Happy New Year and I’ll pray that your eyes are open to the one, holy, Catholic and apostolic church.
Of course a person who is Born Again will bear fruit, but salvation is a gift which requires no works, it cannot be earned.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.