The Bible clearly discusses synergy between God and man. Whenver man says "I obeyed the commandments", or something to that effect, we do not understand that this means "I did it myself". St. Ignatius of Loyola (founder of the Jesuits) wrote something that may be helpful (or may not!):
Pray to God as if everything depended on Him.
Do everything as if everything depended on you.
It is a balance between what the Scriptures tell us. Although it would be nice to look at ONE extreme and ignore the other, the Word of God clearly tells us BOTH. I intend on trying to be a servant to the Word, and will not foist my own theology on the Scriptures which cuts out large pieces of it. As such, without being able to fully understand or explain it to my Protestant reformer brothers, I believe that God does it all and I do it all in a different sense.
I know you won't like that explanation, but practically speaking, I am fully aware that I can choose to disobey God or I can follow those promptings that I feel daily. I am confronted with various situations where I feel God moving me to do something. At times, I will do it, at other times, I do not desire to and will not. Just as Paul in Romans 7, there is a war going on within me. Anytime I do good, it is God moving my will and reforming my nature. However, in the end, I will be judged based on whether I follow my Lord's will. Just as Mt 7:21-22 says. Hearing the Gospel is not enough. Doing the Lord's will is what makes us righteous in God's eyes. Walking in faith and obedience, just as John the Baptist's parents in Luke 1.
My works do not earn salvation, but at the same time, how can I say I am saved if I do not love? How can I say I am saved if I do not show signs of that freedom from sin? Does a alcoholic say he is straight because he went to an AA meeting and then goes to a bar and drinks? NO!
Let us remember, we are new creations, FK. When Paul says "all have sinned", he is talking about the old man. Once we accept Jesus as our Lord and believe in Him and obey Him, we are MADE righteous, not merely declared so. As a result, our anthropology changes - we CAN become just because of God's promptings. All of that "corrupt man" anthropology is tossed out when we receive the Spirit. We are new creations with a new nature. Those who live by faith are clearly expressing their relationship with God, one that is real, not abstract.
I am sorry if I cannot explain this better. God knows I have tried, and I apologize if I still seem to be unclear or am not making sense.
Regards
The way I could have sympathy with this would be if he is speaking motivationally. That is, as opposed to sitting on one's laurels, thinking that God would do everything so we can just sit around. If that's on the right track, then he might be speaking toward our real life experiences, and I agree. While I should have God in the forefront of my mind ALL the time, many times I'll just do something, even something good, without directly thinking of and giving credit to God for His causing of it. Later, intellectually I can say that was God working through me, but in my real experience I do not always go through the steps at the time. (Although, since becoming a Calvinist I'm getting better. :) Anyway, therefore since it is so much easier for us to think in terms of our own wills, perhaps he is saying that this is the place to start, as a practical matter. I'm sure I went over the line somewhere in there, but I was trying to find SOME agreement. :)
... but practically speaking, I am fully aware that I can choose to disobey God or I can follow those promptings that I feel daily. I am confronted with various situations where I feel God moving me to do something. At times, I will do it, at other times, I do not desire to and will not.
It is the same with me, and all of us. Those are our real life experiences, and God uses each of them to draw us closer to Him in the end. Sometimes we DO learn lessons the hard way, but God never promised us a rose garden on earth. I think we may disagree about how much God is acting behind the scenes.
Hearing the Gospel is not enough. Doing the Lord's will is what makes us righteous in God's eyes.
Was it you and Harley who just went around on this subject? If so I read the conversation and it was/is very interesting. I agree that hearing the Gospel is not enough to save, but if doing the Lord's will is what makes us righteous in God's eyes, I assume you mean sanctification, then what of all the verses speaking of God sanctifying us (as opposed to our choosing to do God's will)?:
John 17:15-19 : 15 My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. 16 They are not of the world, even as I am not of it. 17 Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth. 18 As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world. 19 For them I sanctify myself, that they too may be truly sanctified.
Notice the "them" does not apply to everyone. Jesus sanctifies Himself SO THAT ALL of "them" will be sanctified. None of "them" are lost. There is also:
1 Thess 5:23-24 : 23 May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24 The one who calls you is faithful and he will do it.
Notice that the "you" does not refer to everyone. It refers to all true believers. Here again, it is God who does the sanctifying, not us by our choices.
My works do not earn salvation, but at the same time, how can I say I am saved if I do not love? How can I say I am saved if I do not show signs of that freedom from sin?
You can't. A truly good tree MUST produce good fruit. The Bible says so. We agree that perseverance is necessary.
Let us remember, we are new creations, FK. When Paul says "all have sinned", he is talking about the old man.
Yes.
[continuing:] Once we accept Jesus as our Lord and believe in Him and obey Him, we are MADE righteous, not merely declared so.
This goes to our fundamental difference on the basis of ultimate judgment. If it is based on our own works, even with God's help, then how do we not stand alone on those works, or do we? That would imply that there is some sort of standard of works that is "good enough" to get in, while there is some level of works that is not "good enough" to get in. If, OTOH, we are judged SOLELY on the basis of the work of Christ, then no one can say that it is by our works that we are saved, just like the Bible says.
All of that "corrupt man" anthropology is tossed out when we receive the Spirit. We are new creations with a new nature.
But still a remnant remains. That's why we continue to sin even after salvation. If you have been infused with righteousness so that you are ACTUALLY righteous, then (if this makes sense) will the "you" of today be the same "you" that enters Heaven? We would say "no".
I am sorry if I cannot explain this better. God knows I have tried, and I apologize if I still seem to be unclear or am not making sense.
You're doing great. :) I'm the one who is slow. :) I am certain that I understand the Catholic position better than I did before for having talked about it with you. I appreciate that very much.