Book of James Chapter two verses 14 through 26:
14 What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?
15 If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food,
16 And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit?
17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.
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.
19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.
20 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?
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?
23 And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.
24 Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.
25 Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way?
26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.
You may disagree with what I am saying, but it is VERY biblical, which puts me back into the Why the special venom for Mormons? Mode. As for your Colorful, if intentionally inaccurate metaphors, please re read this section if you haven’t already got it, maybe you will. As I said before on this forum, Belief in my position is not required, understanding is nice. By continuing to “misunderstand” you lower anyone reading this thread’s opinion of your I.Q.
Oh, and God requires all you can do whether you admit it or not. Why is the all you can do thing a problem for you, are you afraid you will be found to be a lukewarm Christian?
>> Have you even ever heard or read ANY LDS testimony of ANYONE ever stating this?
Yes. It’s referred to as having your “Calling and Election” made sure. I know two people who have had this wonderful experience, and I am not going to go into deeper details as I consider this sacred and this is NOT the forum for things this personal.
AGAIN, This is not me who said this. You are very confused.
You may disagree with what I am saying, but it is VERY biblical, which puts me back into the Why the special venom for Mormons?
I don't see any particular venom.
Christians get asked questions about their faith.
Real christians take the time to learn to answer them.1 Peter 3:15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:
Well, the first requirement of us is really to be crucified, so that it's not simply "us" who are living: "I have been crucified with Christ, and it's no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life that I now live..." (Gal. 2:20).
God doesn't want the filthy spiritual corpse (a body minus Jesus) trying to "do all we can do." He wants us to come to the end of ourselves, so that the faith life we live is "Christ who lives in me." He is the one who energizes & empowers us. He gets the credit. He gets the glory. And it's the only kind of person God intended. Adam was a God-empowered creation who knew & walked w/God.
Now, it's true...once we're reborn spiritually, then whole-hearted commitment is requisite. No argument there. We're to love God w/whole heart, mind, soul, strength!!! Also, Christ said, "be holy" 'cause God is holy (Matt 5:48).
So, we're not arguing about what the standard is. We're in disagreement as to how we meet that standard.
His way is that His people are collectively a temple of His Holy Spirit who operates through them. My primary temple is the flesh & blood body of Christ which is to be a 24/7 worship & service center. Your primary temple is brick & stone in which religious works are occasionally done.
God already knows us perfectly. We can't change His mind about who we are no matter how many religious works we perform. It's not external works that does it. It's Him working in us, inside-out. We both emphasize works. So who does Paul say is doing this work? You or me? Nope:
"...partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he [not you or me] who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus." (Phil. 1:5-6).
He began the work. He finishes it. No author writes only the first chapter and then tells the characters of His book to finish the work. He Himself is the Word. Us? We're merely the book to be read by all ["You show that you are a letter from Christ...written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts." 2 Cor. 3:3]