Posted on 10/13/2013 12:01:40 PM PDT by matthewrobertolson
Expounding on the importance of our actions for salvation is, I suppose, my primary “thing.” I have been in so many informal debates over the issue that I have started to lose count of them. I have written about the topic many times. And often, I become angry (like God in 1 Kings 11:9-10) at the mere thought of sola fide (“faith alone”), because I know that it is completely contrary to “what the Lord [has] commanded.” But why?
“Faith alone” was, without a doubt, the primary reason that I left Protestantism. Even though I was ill-educated in theology at the time, I knew that it was illogical.
I like to think of sola fide in terms of criminal law. Imagine that someone went before a judge and was proven guilty of heinous crimes, but then pleaded to the judge that he believed in the judge's authority to convict him and so the judge should not do so – and had that as his only defense. Should the judge convict him – to any degree – or should the judge completely let him off, and then give him a reward?
Do you find the “faith alone” argument compelling in such an instance? I do not. Of course, a “faith alone”-r would say that there is some sort of significant difference between such a scenario in terms of temporal law and such a scenario in terms of eternal law, but there really is not. Protestant arguments for the belief simply do not stand in the face of such scenarios or substantial scrutiny.
I strongly believe that sola fide is at the heart of many Western problems. Self-professed Christians have used it as an excuse to not care for the disadvantaged, to engage in profane sexual activity, etc. – the list goes on and on.
Martin Luther told his followers to “sin and sin boldly” (among other things, as I have documented) because he taught that we are saved solely by our faith in the power of Jesus Christ, apart from our actions. This method of thinking has been adopted by millions of Protestants since his time. But is it supported by the Bible? No. See Hebrews 10:26-27:
“For if we go on sinning willfully after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a terrifying expectation of judgment and the fury of a fire which will consume the adversaries.”
“Faith alone” has had a terrible impact on society. People often now shy away from discussing religion or morality with others, fearing conflict. Take, for example, something that transpired between a Lutheran family member and me. After I privately and politely informed her that she had committed a grievous sin (like we are called to do – see Matthew 18:15-17, Galatians 6:1, and Ephesians 4:15), she immediately jumped to the “Who are you to judge?” defense and paired it with the “Jesus paid the price” line. I am sure that, for many Catholics, such occurrences are unfortunately familiar.
God has written in our hearts (Romans 2:15) that we should serve Him and others, not our selfish desires -- and we will be punished if we defy Him. The necessity of both good works and abstinence from grave sin gives our lives concrete meaning. If someone takes away the eternal significance of our actions, they rob us of any real purpose: we all just become random, faceless, unimportant beings.
Sola fide does not work either logically or practically; it fails on all counts. Now, you know why I hate it.
(All verses are from the NASB translation.)
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For anyone interested:
The gospel (good news) of eternal salvation:
The Bible is clear that Jesus Christ is the eternal Son of God who died on the cross as our substitute.
He paid the penalty for our sins.
He took the punishment that we deserve.
God’s provision of eternal salvation is a free gift.
God, through Jesus Christ, did everything.
All you do is accept that free gift.
Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved.
The Bible explains how we, undeserving sinners, can receive the free gift of eternal salvation from a just and holy God:
John 3:16
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever BELIEVES in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
John 3:18
He who BELIEVES on him is not condemned: but he who does not BELIEVE is condemned already, because he has not BELIEVED in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
John 6:28-29
Then they asked him, “WHAT MUST WE DO TO DO THE WORKS GOD REQUIRES?”
Jesus answered, “The work of God is this: to BELIEVE in the one he has sent.”
John 6:47
(Jesus Christ said) He who BELIEVES in me has everlasting life.
John 11:25-26
(Jesus Christ said) I am the resurrection and the life. He who BELIEVES in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and BELIEVES in me will never die. Do you BELIEVE this?
John 20:31
But these have been written that you may BELIEVE that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that BELIEVING you may have life in His name.
Acts 10:43
Every one who BELIEVES in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.
Acts 16:30-31
… WHAT MUST I DO TO BE SAVED?
And they said, BELIEVE in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved
Romans 3:28
Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by FAITH without the deeds of the law
Romans 4:5
But to the one who does not work, but BELIEVES in Him who justifies the ungodly, his FAITH is reckoned as righteousness
Romans 5:1
Therefore being justified by FAITH, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ
Romans 5:2
Through him we have also obtained access by FAITH into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
Ephesians 1:13
In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation — having also BELIEVED, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise.
Ephesians 2:8-9
For by grace you have been saved through FAITH; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, that no one should boast
_____________________________________________________
Christians may foolishly try to use the grace of God as an excuse for licentiousness and antinomianism, but they’re just shooting themselves in the foot, ruining their opportunity to receive eternal rewards from the Lord Jesus Christ at the future Bema Seat evaluation.
Romans 6:1-2A
What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? Certainly not!
Roman’s 3:21-31
21 But now apart from the law the righteousness of God has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. 22 This righteousness is given through faith in[h] Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile, 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. 25 God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement,[i] through the shedding of his blood—to be received by faith. He did this to demonstrate his righteousness, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished— 26 he did it to demonstrate his righteousness at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus.
27 Where, then, is boasting? It is excluded. Because of what law? The law that requires works? No, because of the law that requires faith. 28 For we maintain that a person is justified by faith apart from the works of the law. 29 Or is God the God of Jews only? Is he not the God of Gentiles too? Yes, of Gentiles too, 30 since there is only one God, who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through that same faith. 31 Do we, then, nullify the law by this faith? Not at all! Rather, we uphold the law.
WORKS ARE IMPOSSIBLE TO SAVE, they are an outward sign of an inward change that God has done! God has “circumcised the heart”.
-JS
Abraham believed God and it was reckoned to him as righteousness.
By faith God will set you on the road to eternity and keep you there.
That is what is being said. It is the Gospel message. Whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life.
That’s a mighty big promise from God that HE will see you through.
According to God’s standard we all deserve hell, there will be no test: BECAUSE YOU AND I ALREADY HAVE FAILED IT!
We must be punished (a good simple analogy of God’s redemptive plan in real life can be found in the Children’s story from C.S. Lewis’ “The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe” in the character of “Edmund Pevensie”. Where Edmund was guilty and because of “the deep magic which cannot be broken (representing God’s justice, holiness law (think bedrock law such as the US Constitution which could not be broken). HE HAD to be punished. Because God was good He sent Jesus (Aslan) who willingly gave His own life to satisfy this judgment/justice! Because Jesus was perfectly good and sinless He did not stay “dead”.
Faith in Jesus will be your only test, friend! Get right with him.
The only people who hate faith alone in Christ are those who either think they can work there way into salvation or they really hate the idea that our sins imputed upon Christ at the Cross has now freed God in His Perfect Righteousness to bless anybody who simply exercises faith alone in Him,..i.e. the Christian walk.
Yes. Faith alone in Christ alone. Nothing else.
PS
Try it.
It is a completely different way of thinking than to try and perform good for reward.
Face God.
Pray to Him (we are to pray without ceasing).
Confess any known and unknown sins to Him in your thinking.
Simply through faith alone in Christ alone.
That places one in fellowship.
No do anything in life,...anything at all,...EXCEPT do it through faith alone in Christ alone. That is the Christian walk. It’s spiritual,...not soulish.
It is faith alone. No doubt. But we also realize that evidence of that true faith is fruit of the spirit. If there is no fruit, then we know there is no genuine faith.
It is faith alone. No doubt. But we also realize that evidence of that true faith is fruit of the spirit. If there is no fruit, then we know there is no genuine faith.
Oops, sorry for the triple post.
My browser kept indicating that the post hadn’t gotten through.
Actually the fruit isn’t merely of the spirit.
He made us human in body soul, and spirit.
Through faith alone in Christ alone we can do all things in His Plan by doing the right thing, in the right way, at the right time, in the right place,..by faith alone in Christ alone.
Start there.
He is the one who grows us.
Discouraging faith alone in Christ alone simply encourages a worldly or carnal thinking or encourages doubt, which also removes us from fellowship with Him.
I've actually heard that in order for a Catholic to go directly to heaven they have to be declared a "Saint" by the church. All other Catholics have to go through purgatory and are not sure; a works based Salvation for sure.
Whereas for the Protestant is is exactly the other way. Faith is a gift from God which one professes through confession before the church. Good works follow so the Lords words are confirmed "You shall know them by their fruits" but do not earn their salvation (which already has been done on the cross by the Lord who has given them faith).
For the Protestant, assurance of Salvation is based on their faith. For the Catholic, from what I understand, there is no assurance unless pronounced a saint which is very rare by the church.
Expect to have your atheism outed on any religious discussion thread on which the two of us choose to participate.
I won't let you hide.
FReegards!
The Bible contains the accounts of Creation, The Flood, Abraham, the Prophets, Moses...And Jesus Christ, His apostles and the early early Christian Church.
Why are you so against the Bible and cling to dusty medieval theological collections?
It is really poor forum form to post a horribly researched piece and then when people respond to it, they get links to other hit sites. You should really engage those who posted responses with YOUR response and not let a website do the walking and talking for you.
I for one would like to know “how many good works is going to put me over the top?” What is the good works threshold I need to meet in order to avoid pergatory?
Another question if you will...”Why isn’t the atoning Work of Christ enough to save me? Did Jesus Christ come to earth to deliver Sinai II or give us the Good News of MT Zion?
I am a Protestant. I was never taught that you can be a wild
ass sinner and expect to obtain salvation. I have never read such, and I am not about to try an experiment. I don’t care what Luther was supposed to have said. The scriptures are full of warnings about behavior.
A good point. It is like saying God is not Sovereign in His own Salvation plan.
But a 1,000 hail Mary's are in order and should do the trick!
Not only that, but the Hebrews 10 reference is way out of context. The "faith alone hater" should have kept reading. Here it is from Hebrews 10:
26 For if we go on sinning willfully after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, 27 but a terrifying expectation of judgment and the fury of a fire which will consume the adversaries. 28 Anyone who has set aside the Law of Moses dies without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. 29 How much severer punishment do you think he will deserve who has trampled under foot the Son of God, and has regarded as unclean the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified, and has insulted the Spirit of grace? 30 For we know Him who said, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay.” And again, “The Lord will judge His people.” 31 It is a terrifying thing to fall into the hands of the living God.
Yes indeed, the author of this article is clearly trampling here.
Not only that, but the Hebrews 10 reference is way out of context. The "faith alone hater" should have kept reading. Here it is from Hebrews 10:
26 For if we go on sinning willfully after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, 27 but a terrifying expectation of judgment and the fury of a fire which will consume the adversaries. 28 Anyone who has set aside the Law of Moses dies without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. 29 How much severer punishment do you think he will deserve who has trampled under foot the Son of God, and has regarded as unclean the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified, and has insulted the Spirit of grace? 30 For we know Him who said, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay.” And again, “The Lord will judge His people.” 31 It is a terrifying thing to fall into the hands of the living God.
Yes indeed, the author of this article is clearly trampling here.
I really believe the object of their hate (which the Good Shepherd told us not to do) is Luther. Luther exposed the RC house of cards of indulgences and earning salvation by obeying Big Papa. So they go all out to attack Luther and what he wrote.
What they don't realize is Luther derived the "sola fide" from the OT and NT (more so). They can attack the "sola" part all day as far as I am concerned because that is a fallible human term by Luther and Calvin. However the NT and OT is clear...We are justified by faith. It does not say alone, but strongly implied because what follows is usually "and not of yourselves lest anyone boast." So to me, that is saying "sola fide." But to others, they want to argue over "alone", when it does not say "alone" but clearly MEANS 'alone.'
Belloc offers the lucid and compelling explanation for this “bottom line” of the Church.
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