Longing for God: Mother Teresa's Letters Reveal Isolation, Doubts.

Catholic News Service ^ | 3/4/02 | Cindy Wooden

[kezekiel]

I agree, that one is saved by works. But whose works? One's own works or Jesus's works?

Q: Is a man saved by grace, or by works?
A: Yes.

Paul and James were both right. In the paradox lies the mystery, which encompasses the truth, which cannot be unveiled but through love - which isn't served by a testy debate between Protestant and Catholic.

[nickcarraway]

You completely misread my post. I don't criticize Bill Gates for his prosperity, quite the opposite. If anything, Gates is the one who supports class warfare. Gates is against the laws and system that allowed him to be sucessful. I guess he doesn't feel other people should enjoy the opportunities he had. Bill Gates endorsed the very people who were bringing the antitrust suit against him. And as for his pet population control, an increasing population has allowed the world's standard of living greatly increase.

[Thorondir]

No. I don't agree with you go-out-and-sin-with-impunity-because-you-are-saved types. Neither does the bible, but you will pick and choose from its verses to suit your free-wheeling, have-your-cake-and-eat-it-too lifestyle. "I do not know you!"

[kezekiel]

Agreed, somewhat. You must qualify your terms. Whose grace are we saved by, and whose works are we saved by?

James 2:21  Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? 22  Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?

The emphasis was mine. Listen... James and Paul are both right. It's not by our works that we're justified, but by our faith in Jesus' work on our behalf on Calvary. This faith is revealed in our works. Read Matthew 25:32-46. What separates the sheep from the goats? Their faith? Or their works? Or both?

[kezekiel]

This is headed south fast... we're headed into "THREAD DELETED" country with this stuff. Don't let it happen.

Peace!

[chuckles]

Man is saved by Grace, but he does good works BECAUSE he is saved. Doing works will not save, but I don't understand how one can be saved and not do works.

A story about Mother Theresa. She was interviewed by a infobabe in Calcutta attending the sick and dying. These were particularly pitifull people, covered in filth and bodily fluids, if you know what I mean. The infobabe asked her why she still did this because she was old and had won many prizes and could do well on the talk circuit. Well, I was mulling the possible answers like, The sick need me, no one else will do it, the Pope wants me to, Mary would want me to, I need to do it for myself, etc. She just looked at the reporter and said plain as day..."I do it for Jesus."

I often wonder if the reporter ever figured out what she meant. I'm not a Catholic, but this was the first time I had ever heard a Catholic say the right answer.

[freebilly]

Pretty ugly post to someone generous enough to share the realities of their life on this thread.

[kezekiel]

God forbid we should be at odds... we take what is God-breathed and use it to encourage each other, to build up in the faith. I wanted to make the point that "faith without works is dead" means that a true faith, a living faith, is revealed through the works we do. Our works are the *pulse* of the heart that is our faith, if you will. If there are no works, the heart is flatlined. There's no cause for boasting of a faith that's truly alive; indeed, the sheep asked, "Lord, when did we see you naked and clothed you?" They are about their Master's business, doing good works, not drawing attention to themselves.

The crux of Protestant and Catholic disagreement about works is more technical than a straightforward debate over faith vs. works. It's probably best that we leave that for another thread, another time.

[kezekiel]

I should be in bed too. And you, on the East Coast... you're really burning the midnight oil trying to save the Catholics. LOL...

Have a good night, newblood. Peace!