Which rule of English language requires the word "alone" to qualify an idea when only one thing is excluded from a statement? Again, you are reading what is not there for the sake of your theology.
Actually, I'm not the one who is reading what is not there, I'm just reading what IS there and taking it at face value. You are the one who is building in all the "buts" and "except fors" that are plainly not there. You are the one who consistently inserts exceptions into scripture to make it match Tradition. When scripture matches Tradition, there is no need for addition, when it doesn't, then the true meaning is ...
EVERY parable that Jesus speaks of regarding the Kingdom of Heaven talks about rewards to heaven OR damnation to exclusion of heaven. ... I am not sure where you get this Scripture idea that judgment determines what seat we will get at the table. I think we should explore this more...
I understand that is your interpretation, and I respectfully disagree. Here is an excerpt from the article The Joy of Heavenly Rewards by Matt Perman:
Where does the Bible teach degrees of happiness?
"According to the Bible, how we live for God on earth will result in a greater or lesser enjoyment of His glory in heaven. For example, Paul said "This light and momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, because we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen, for the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal" (2 Corinthians 4:17-18). John Piper comments on these verses: "Paul's affliction is `preparing' or `effecting' or `bringing about' a weight of glory beyond all comparison. We must take seriously Paul's words here. He is not merely saying that he has a great hope in heaven that enables him to endure suffering. That is true. But here he says that the suffering has an effect on the weight of glory. There seems to be a connection between the suffering endured and the degree of glory enjoyed." In other words, our experience of God's glory in heaven "seems to be more or less, depending in part on the affliction we have endured with patient faith."
"In the same line of thought is Matthew 5:11-12: "Blessed are you when men revile you and persecute you and say all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad for your reward is great in heaven." Again, "If a Christian who suffers much for Jesus and one who does not suffer much experience God's final glory in exactly the same way and degree, it would seem strange to tell the suffering Christian to rejoice and be glad (in that very day, cf. Luke 6:23) because of the reward he would receive even if he did not suffer. The reward promised seems to be in response to the suffering and a specific recompense for it."
"Suffering is not the only thing that brings about a greater reward in heaven. Our faithfulness to Christ in doing good works for His glory will also have a bearing on our degree of happiness (or, reward) in heaven. To the slave who made ten pounds it was said "Well done, good slave, because you have been faithful in a very little thing, be in authority over ten cities" whereas the slave who made five pounds was told "And you are to be over five cities" (Luke 19:17-19; cf. Revelation 22:5; 2:26, 27). And in 1 Corinthians 3:10-15 Paul explains that the quality of each Christian's work will be revealed at the judgment. He concludes by saying "If any man's work which he has built upon it [the foundation of Jesus Christ] remains, he shall receive a reward. If any man's work is burned up, he shall suffer loss; but he himself shall be saved, yet so as through fire" (vv. 14-15)."
HE rewards us based on our actions - but all is a gift. We cannot say "God, I did such and such, you OWE me heaven." Not even the most holy man can say that.
Of course God doesn't "owe" us anything, but this is another example of salvation depending on the decisions of man, his actions. Then, in the same breath you will say that everything comes from God. These do not match under the theory of free will. At some point you are going to have to admit that man is, by himself and independent of God, partially responsible for his own salvation, in your view.
He who works expects payment, wages. Thus, it is no longer gift. Works of the law and deeds of love are often times the exact same action, but internalized completely differently.
OK, I might see what you're talking about now. I always thought you were drawing a distinction based on whether someone got money or not. But now it seems like you are focusing on the motivation of the "worker". If the motivation is to get something of value in return, it is a "work". If a thing is done out of love for God, then it is not a "work". Is this what you are saying? If so, since I claim that perseverance is necessary, I would have to agree with you.
[TBC ...]
Ridiculous. Where is the word "alone" in Romans 3:28? What language useage requires it to even be implied? This is based on YOU reading into Scriptures what is not there. You have already admitted that we must love to be saved, correct? Thus, how can faith be alone and be saving? Please.
You are the one who consistently inserts exceptions into scripture to make it match Tradition.
Tradition is useful to explain passages of Scripture. Whether it is Protestant or Catholic tradition, we both rely on it, no matter how much you dislike the idea.
Here is an excerpt from the article The Joy of Heavenly Rewards by Matt Perman:
Interesting, but avoids the obvious...That Christ doesn't specifically mention a higher or lower place in heaven. ALL His parables that talk about the Kingdom of God discuss entrance TO the Kingdom, not varying degrees of the Kingdom! Sure, we can ascertain what Mr. Perman says regarding HOW MUCH we love. We Catholics look at it this way: All who enter heaven will be completely filled with God. But some will have larger containers to be filled! However, this has nothing to do with judgment into the Kingdom, when Christ discusses the matter.
Christ's parables don't speak of different levels of glory in heaven, but whether a person even gains ENTRANCE to heaven. Look at Matthew 13, I believe. You'll find several "Kingdom" parables. Not one discusses your idea.
Of course God doesn't "owe" us anything, but this is another example of salvation depending on the decisions of man, his actions.
You just got done posting me a section on how our actions get us different levels of glory in heaven, now this...What is going on? God judges us based on our decision to suffer willingly in His name. I still don't understand this "detachment" you seem to desire between God and man. When I am faced with a moral decision, I don't sense an invisible hand forcing me to do one thing or the other... God has aided me by forming my will, by placing in me the desire to do His will. But it is still I who uses these gifts, freely. OR I can freely reject them. The simple fact that the Scriptures OVER AND OVER command men to do something pretty clearly tells us that WE are to decide.
At some point you are going to have to admit that man is, by himself and independent of God, partially responsible for his own salvation, in your view.
The choice is set before us - death or life, as my tagline states. WE make the decision, based on the tools God has given us. Let's look at an example. Let's say we have two seniors in high school. Both are average students. With one, we give him no incentive, no aid, no counseling to pursue a higher education. We make no relationship between making more money and college degrees. We leave it up to the student. Most would party and not choose to sacrifice to get through college. Now take the other person. We raise him to understand the benefits of college. He has parents that are examples (by their jobs and desire to learn), he is pushed by them, by guidance counselors, and so forth. His intellect and will are formed so that going to college seems a "no-brainer". AND YET, HE IS THE ONE MAKING THE CHOICE, ISN'T HE? God instructs us, guides us, enables us to choose the good and see how it will benefit us. Yet, we are responsible for choosing God or not. In a manner of speaking, we MUST choose God to be saved. How can we repent otherwise? Does God toss you on your knees? And is that you repenting, then? I find this conversation a bit silly. I don't feel an overwhelming will forcing me to do anything. I do things because God has outfitted me to more often choose the good.
If the motivation is to get something of value in return, it is a "work". If a thing is done out of love for God, then it is not a "work". Is this what you are saying? If so, since I claim that perseverance is necessary, I would have to agree with you.
Well, we are on the same page, then, at least here.
Regards