Not all Protestans; some branches of Protestantism are quite service oriented. See, for example, the Methodists or Salvation Army. However, all of them are evasive about Mt. 5-7 because read honestly these chapters teach squarely that works play a cardinal role in our faith formation, and are the basis of our salvation.
When pressed, the evasion becomes wholesale denial of these chapters, often in some artful ways. The usual trick is to say that because Jesus spoke to the disciples, they refer to the rewards of the justified rather than to the salvation or condemnation itself. That, of course, denies Mt 25.
Heard of sheep without a shepherd?
When pressed, the evasion becomes wholesale denial of these chapters, often in some artful ways. The usual trick is to say that because Jesus spoke to the disciples, they refer to the rewards of the justified rather than to the salvation or condemnation itself. That, of course, denies Mt 25.
So, people will get to heaven because of works? Matt 25.
So, if we all try hard enough, avoid sin, do good works, we can go to heaven?
My FIL came to live with us after a stroke. He started going to church with us after a while. He was EO at the time. On the ride home from church one Sunday he commented how someone has to be in charge, meaning your Pope. My young son commented without missing a beat,
"Shouldn't that be Jesus?"
Praise God before my FIL died he became a Born Again Christian.
I'll stick with my young son's answer.
However, a 'cardinal role in our faith' is not 100% Biblically accurate either.