Originally posted by @romans1009Good works is proof that God is working in someone.
If he accepted Christ and his faith was sincere, good works would follow because God’s indwelling Holy Spirit would begin to change that person’s heart and make him into a “new creature.”
John 3:16 and Romans 10:9 refer to salvation by belief in the heart, which is a much stronger and more sincere form of belief than the way we typically use the word to ...[text shortened]... as, “I believe it will rain today.” That’s not the kind of belief that accompanies saving faith.
Originally posted by @fmfI suppose that would depend on the reason I left it for someone else to do. One who has accepted Christ receives God’s Holy Spirit and ideally is led by the Holy Spirit, especially if he or she is regularly in God’s Word and prayer. You seem to want to break salvation down into some sort of mathematical or linguistic formula - that’s not how it works.
If you continued to have faith but you stopped caring for your mother, and left it to someone else to do, would you lose your "salvation"?
Originally posted by @romans1009You have declared yourself already "saved". Presumably, you have a formula that you deem to be correct.
You seem to want to break salvation down into some sort of mathematical or linguistic formula - that’s not how it works.
Originally posted by @fmfGood works are not required for salvation.
There need to be 'good works'. There don't need to be 'good works'.
One who is genuinely saved has received God’s Holy Spirit and will be changed such that good works will be a natural occurrence.
But if a person accepted Christ and died two seconds later - before he had any opportunity to do good works - he would still be saved. Therefore, while good works are evidence of someone being saved, they are not required for someone to be saved.
FMF: If a non-Christian helps one of his or her relatives, what is that a manifestation of?And what are a 'good heart', love and a 'proper upbringing' a manifestation of?
Originally posted by @romans1009
A manifestation of a good heart, I suppose, or love or a proper upbringing. Could be a lot of things.
Originally posted by @rajk999The Bible doesn’t set tithing at 10 percent? I’ll have to double-check that as I seem to remember it does but could be mistaken.
There no such thing in the bible
Originally posted by @romans1009Isn't someone like me caring for my mother "a natural occurrence" too?
One who is genuinely saved has received God’s Holy Spirit and will be changed such that good works will be a natural occurrence.
Originally posted by @fmfCould be a lot of things and probably varies from person to person, but I wouldn't be surprised if motivations and reasons were similar to those of a Christian
What do you imagine non-Christians' giving is based on?
Originally posted by @romans1009Wouldn't this person's faith have been 'dead' because of the lack of 'good works'?
...if a person accepted Christ and died two seconds later - before he had any opportunity to do good works - he would still be saved. Therefore, while good works are evidence of someone being saved, they are not required for someone to be saved.
Originally posted by @fmfI think your memory is failing you and you should re-read the Gospels
I don't need to Google it. One Gospel doesn't mention the incident. This is interesting when you consider how crucial you seem to believe the incident is. Two Gospels depict the scene as one of open mockery. And one Gospel illustrates the mockery. Three Gospels don't support this key piece of your theology. And the fourth Gospel only supports it if you project ...[text shortened]... ident that your ideology compels you to, and which are not supported by the other three Gospels.
Originally posted by @rajk999Can you post chapter and verse on what you have referenced pertaining to Jesus Christ and to James?
These one liners is what is hindering your understanding. In Matt 25 Jesus provides a detailed description about who enters the Kingdom of God and it all about good works. Nothing about faith. Jesus also says clearly who will be cast out ... it's those who do no good works.
As James said .. your faith cannot save you.
Originally posted by @romans1009But, while the 'giving' of non-Christians is essentially meaningless, the 'giving' of Christians is "evidence" of some sort of supernatural phenomenon, right?
Could be a lot of things and probably varies from person to person, but I wouldn't be surprised if motivations and reasons were similar to those of a Christian
Originally posted by @fmfThe indwelling Holy Spirit is basic Christianity, not my “elaborate superstitions.”
Maybe your elaborate superstitions concerning "The Holy Spirit" are just a metaphor for "a good heart" and for the good side of human nature generally.
Originally posted by @romans1009But if a person accepted Christ and died two seconds later - before he had any opportunity to do good works - he would still be saved. Therefore, while good works are evidence of someone being saved, they are not required for someone to be saved.
Good works are not required for salvation.
One who is genuinely saved has received God’s Holy Spirit and will be changed such that good works will be a natural occurrence.
But if a person accepted Christ and died two seconds later - before he had any opportunity to do good works - he would still be saved. Therefore, while good works are evidence of someone being saved, they are not required for someone to be saved.
lol. How many seconds would need to pass before they were no longer saved?
Originally posted by @thinkofoneI’ve answered this at least 10 times. Just go back and read what I already wrote.
But if he did no good works, would he still be saved? Just answer the question instead of regurgitating what you've been taught. You asked for an explanation and I'm trying to give it to you.