“Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.“
(Galatians 2:16)
(Written by Paul)
FMF: Is it truth or falsity to assert that Paul, the Apostles and Jesus were all crystal clear that without righteousness and good works nobody enters the Kingdom of God?So your belief is that Christians can enter "the Kingdom of God" without good works? I was under the impression that Christians believe that, without good works, faith is 'dead', which would mean that those faith-proving good works are not optional - indeed, they are required. Didn't Jesus, in fact, itemize and describe what those required good works were?
Originally posted by @romans1009
That’s false.
Originally posted by @romans1009Read further down to Galatians 5 and see what Paul says about who enters the Kingdom of God
“I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.”
(Galatians 2:21)
<So your belief is that Christians can enter "the Kingdom of God" without good works?>
Yes, good works are an outward manifestation of one who is saved; not a requirement for salvation. One who has accepted Jesus Christ as his or her Lord and Saviour becomes a “new creature,” and good works will naturally follow such a decision, especially if one is in God’s Word and prayer on a regular and frequent basis.
Originally posted by @romans1009So those 'good works' are not optional then. Without them, there is no "salvation", that's what you mean?
[b]Yes, good works are an outward manifestation of one who is saved; not a requirement for salvation./b]
<I was under the impression that Christians believe that, without good works, faith is 'dead', which would mean that those faith-proving good works are not optional - indeed, they are required.>
Good works are a manifestation of one who is saved, not a requirement of salvation. The verse you referenced is from the book of James:
“James is not saying that our works make us righteous before God but that real saving faith is demonstrated by good works. Works are not the cause of salvation; works are the evidence of salvation. Faith in Christ always results in good works. The person who claims to be a Christian but lives in willful disobedience to Christ has a false or dead faith and is not saved.“
https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.gotquestions.org/amp/faith-without-works-dead.html
Originally posted by @fmfNo, one can profess faith in Jesus Christ and accept Him as his or her Lord and Saviour, die of a heart attack two seconds later and still be saved. Good works are an outward manifestation or evidence of one who is saved; not a requirement for salvation. The thief on the cross had no opportunity to do good works and yet Christ said the thief would be with Him in paradise after the thief expressed faith in Christ’s divinity.
So those 'good works' are not optional then. Without them, there is no "salvation", that's what you mean?
Originally posted by @romans1009Don't see a lot of Christians doing good works. It's like in the good Samaritan story... the ones professing faith are the least likely to help those in need. Same with Christianity. .. it's a sham
<I was under the impression that Christians believe that, without good works, faith is 'dead', which would mean that those faith-proving good works are not optional - indeed, they are required.>
Good works are a manifestation of one who is saved, not a requirement of salvation. The verse you referenced is from the book of James:
“James is not saying ...[text shortened]... not saved.“
https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.gotquestions.org/amp/faith-without-works-dead.html
Originally posted by @romans1009So, 'good works' are not optional then. There must be 'good works', right? No 'good works', no "salvation". Am I understanding you correctly?
No, one can profess faith in Jesus Christ and accept Him as his or her Lord and Saviour, die of a heart attack two seconds later and still be saved. Good works are an outward manifestation or evidence of one who is saved; not a requirement for salvation. The thief on the cross had no opportunity to do good works and yet Christ said the thief would be with Him in paradise after the thief expressed faith in Christ’s divinity.
Originally posted by @rajk999There are many one hour on Sunday Christians who aren’t saved. I agree with that. Jesus Christ made clear that relatively few people would actually be saved (if my interpretation of the following verses is correct.)
Don't see a lot of Christians doing good works. It's like in the good Samaritan story... the ones professing faith are the least likely to help those in need. Same with Christianity. .. it's a sham
“Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:
Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.“
(Matthew 7:13-14)
Originally posted by @romans1009Works are not the cause of salvation; works are the evidence of salvation. Faith in Christ always results in good works. The person who claims to be a Christian but lives in willful disobedience to Christ has a false or dead faith and is not saved.“
<I was under the impression that Christians believe that, without good works, faith is 'dead', which would mean that those faith-proving good works are not optional - indeed, they are required.>
Good works are a manifestation of one who is saved, not a requirement of salvation. The verse you referenced is from the book of James:
“James is not saying ...[text shortened]... not saved.“
https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.gotquestions.org/amp/faith-without-works-dead.html
This is too rich. You've painted yourself into a corner, though it seems you are oblivious to this fact. I'll reflect the questions you asked in the "Gospel of Jesus..." thread back to you.
If good works were required for salvation, would a just God not say how many good works are needed? What’s the value of one type of good work vs. another?