When you’re in love with someone, you eagerly want to do for them, be with them, read their love letters, etc. For a Christian, it is the same. If we love the Lord, really love him and aren’t just being religious, we will love to do what He asks of us, trust Him when things don’t go the way we wish they would; we love to be in his presence and read his words
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Thanks for this comment, freepertoo. I think you illustrate well the point I was seeking to make. To do works illustrates a condition of heart. In my opinion, if we are not doing, nor desiring to do the works, we don’t truly even have Faith; it is dead. It is ONLY the Faith that will save us - not the works.
But why works?
Sometimes when we are learning a new skill, we need to have the ability to see how well we are assimilating the material. When we are disciples, we are learning how to follow the path of Christ. I can look and see if my Faith is alive by seeing the outer measure of my works as well as my attitude toward doing them.
In my life the works are necessary so that I may use them as a mirror, as well as seeking to being a “Faith”-ful servant. I think all here are striving to hear those words from our Lord, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant.”
Again, our salvation does not directly depend on the works, but they ARE necessary! - in my opinion. I truly respect it if anyone does not agree with this position. But since this is a discussion about this topic, I simply offer my thoughts.
Blessings to all who love our Lord Christ!
It is a means to control the membership, because you have never done enough. Ask yourself why Jesus repeatedly told us he paid the total price? That truth will set you free from the Deacon or Cardinal or Pope, nothing else will because they will never let you pay off the works bill they claim you owe. >p> Jesus said, if you love me keep my commandments. And He even made them simple by condensing them into two commandments.
The question will always be how many works are enough, if works are what save you, but they aren't.
Because He said so For the kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods. And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey. Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made them other five talents. And likewise he that had received two, he also gained other two. But he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord's money. After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them. And so he that had received five talents came and brought other five talents, saying, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five talents: behold, I have gained beside them five talents more. His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. He also that had received two talents came and said, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me two talents: behold, I have gained two other talents beside them. His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strawed: And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, there thou hast that is thine. His lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed: Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury. Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents. For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath. And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
Matthew, Catholic chapter twenty five, Protestant verses fourteen to thirty,
as authorized, but not authored, by King James