[Luircin]

There IS a reason that the Commandments are the first thing that we Lutherans tend to teach when Confirmation time rolls around.

It’s just that we don’t find salvation in them. That doesn’t mean they’re not VERY important.

1: To curb evil and sinful impulses.
2: To show us ourselves and how much we need Jesus.
3: To give us a guide through life.

We believe what the Bible says, after all. It contains the Prophets and the Law and the writing of the Apostles.

Scripture says that salvation is because of grace through faith, not works. There is that oft-quoted passage in James, though, and we believe that as well. But because of the seeming contradiction, we need to look elsewhere in Scripture to try to figure out what it means.

So, just to make things clear about what LCMS Lutherans and I myself believe, at least re: salvation.

Salvation is by God’s grace alone. That grace is given/shown to us in the Word and in Holy Baptism and Holy Communion. By faith, we believe in that grace, and by that grace, that undeserved kindess, we are given salvation.

But by faith, we also try to live our earthly lives according to the word of God. A faith, a belief in the promises of the Lord that does not then try to please the Lord is an empty faith—which is what James was speaking of when he wrote about faith. He defined it himself earlier in his writing. When James writes of faith, he defines it as the kind of ‘faith’ that just says, ‘Jesus exists.’ Not ‘I trust in the Lord.’

Additionally, without Christ, all our good works are as filthy rags anyways.

Come the return of Jesus, we will give an account of our works. Those who have faith will have done good works, and because God sees us through Jesus, even the filthy rags that were our righteous works before will be seen as good works.

Those who have the foundation of faith without works will still inherit eternal life, but the rewards of such will be lesser than those whose earthly life was full of faithful work.

Anyways, I’m sure we can discuss that, but I’ve gotta run and get some errands done.

[af_vet_1981]

Those who have the foundation of faith without works will still inherit eternal life, but the rewards of such will be lesser than those whose earthly life was full of faithful work.

All the Lord's servants are judged according to their deeds and the one with the most knowledge who is not careful to maintain good works fares poorly. I have a difficult time reconciling the terms "inherit eternal life" with "cut him in sunder" and "appoint him his portion with the unbelievers."

Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom. Sell that ye have, and give alms; provide yourselves bags which wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that faileth not, where no thief approacheth, neither moth corrupteth. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. Let your loins be girded about, and your lights burning; And ye yourselves like unto men that wait for their lord, when he will return from the wedding; that when he cometh and knocketh, they may open unto him immediately. Blessed are those servants, whom the lord when he cometh shall find watching: verily I say unto you, that he shall gird himself, and make them to sit down to meat, and will come forth and serve them. And if he shall come in the second watch, or come in the third watch, and find them so, blessed are those servants. And this know, that if the goodman of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched, and not have suffered his house to be broken through. Be ye therefore ready also: for the Son of man cometh at an hour when ye think not. Then Peter said unto him, Lord, speakest thou this parable unto us, or even to all? And the Lord said, Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his lord shall make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of meat in due season? Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing. Of a truth I say unto you, that he will make him ruler over all that he hath. But and if that servant say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming; and shall begin to beat the menservants and maidens, and to eat and drink, and to be drunken; The lord of that servant will come in a day when he looketh not for him, and at an hour when he is not aware, and will cut him in sunder, and will appoint him his portion with the unbelievers. And that servant, which knew his lord's will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes. But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more.

Luke, Catholic chapter twelve, Protestant verses thirty two to forty eight,
as authorized, but not authored, by King James