Good deeds are the evidence of salvation, not a requirement for salvation. As Christ taught us, a good tree produces good fruit, and a corrupt tree produces evil fruit.
When God looks to judge us, we can be thankful He will not judge us according to our sins which are heavy and many, but on Christ within us.
That's what "Justification" means. And that's why so many people have difficulty with it. It's hard to accept men can get something for nothing with no strings. But that's the difference between mercy and debt. God saves us in spite of our sins, not because we are sinless. "While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us."
And of course Rome teaches salvation by good works. We've heard for days now that Mother Teresa was saved by her good works and her charity despite the fact that she admitted she had no faith in Christ.
They are neither evidence nor requirements but a condition, one among many. For, contrary to what the Protestants are peddling, salvation is not unconditional, at least not according to the Bible. Even if works were not a factor, or a condition associated with salvation, faith alone is a condition necessary for salvation, along with baptism, etc. But so are the words, deeds, conduct, etc.
Paul makes it clear (and Protestants never quote those verses ad nauseum like the banal ones that are doctrinally approved) that to him a Christian who is worthy of the kingdom of heaven is "spotless" in his heart, intention, deeds, conduct, walk, as well as faith, and, honestly, I have yet to see one.
When God looks to judge us, we can be thankful He will not judge us according to our sins which are heavy and many, but on Christ within us.
The bad news is that, even according to the Protestant demigod Paul, God will judge you by your deeds. That is so contrary to what the Protestants are peddling that I am not surprised they cannot see those verses for all I know. But they are there as clear as they can be.
That's what "Justification" means. And that's why so many people have difficulty with it. It's hard to accept men can get something for nothing with no strings. But that's the difference between mercy and debt. God saves us in spite of our sins, not because we are sinless. "While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us."
There is this banal repetition of the same old same old, Dr. E. Unfortunately, that's not all there is, unless of course, one cuts out those verses that one finds objectionable, which even Luther attempted. Truth doesn't set you free, but hurts.
Your scriptures say that God will not justify fornicators who continue to fornicate, or liars who continue to lie or those who are impure in their hearts and vindictive in their intentions, etc. Christian God doesn't seem to like nasty people, whether thye clal themsleves Christians or not. God ought to detemrine who is a true Christian, not man.
God wants his people to be pristine and dead to sin and ungliness and immorality and lies, etc. And he rewards those who suffer. Paul says so, Peter says so. First the cross then the crown.
The idea of a sure comfy first class limo ride to heaven with Christ carrying your luggage is a fairytale, perhaps soothing, but not something you will find in the Bible unless you really work hard at cutting out much of it.
And of course Rome teaches salvation by good works. We've heard for days now that Mother Teresa was saved by her good works and her charity despite the fact that she admitted she had no faith in Christ.
No it doesn't. Show me where the Cathoic Church teaches that. And no one here has said that Mother Theresa was saved by works or otherwise; some, notably Protestants, however, seem certian she is in hell.
Christ “great commission” was to preach the good news of the kingdom not the good news of the soup kitchen. Disciples were to be made not “bread Christians”.
In Matthew chapter 6 Jesus showed that praying for our physical needs was proper but not the first priority or second or even third.
So the works of charity are fine but they are not a substitute for disciple making and cannot overshadow it.
Like the good tree's good fruitage was evidence of what the tree was so what we do or produce is evidence of the faith we already have as Paul cites examples in Hebrews chapter 11 by saying, “by faith” this was done, some act took place.
In fact vs. 6 says “without faith its impossible to please God”.
“And of course Rome teaches salvation by good works. We've heard for days now that Mother Teresa was saved by her good works and her charity despite the fact that she admitted she had no faith in Christ.”
Sad if true.
Did you not read the scriptures?