John 14:5,6

Originally posted by @romans1009
I’ve answered this at least 10 times. Just go back and read what I already wrote.

Actually what you've done is argue both sides. If you've decided you no longer want an explanation, then just tell me instead of dancing around the question.

Originally posted by @fmf
You have declared yourself already "saved". Presumably, you have a formula that you deem to be correct.

I accepted Jesus Christ as my Lord and Saviour and believe God raised Him from the dead. It’s no more complicated than that. Why do you seem to want to make it complicated?

Originally posted by @romans1009
I think your memory is failing you and you should re-read the Gospels

I've put something very specific to you and enough detail for my perspective to be clear. If you go and take a look at all four Gospels, you will see that what I have argued checks out, even if you don't agree with what I deduce from it.

"I think your memory is failing you" is just a gimmick so you can cop out.

For Gospels; one doesn't mention the incident; two mention it but in a way that backs my perspective and undermines yours; and the fourth one... well I have made my case, above.

You brought up the topic of the thief. Are you going to address my response to it?

Originally posted by @romans1009
I accepted Jesus Christ as my Lord and Saviour and believe God raised Him from the dead. It’s no more complicated than that. Why do you seem to want to make it complicated?

If your amount of 'good works' tails off will it mean that your faith is increasingly 'dead' and your "salvation" in peril?

Originally posted by @fmf
Isn't someone like me caring for my mother "a natural occurrence" too?

I don’t think so. People by nature are selfish or, at the very least, self interested. I’ve been around enough elderly people who have been abandoned by their children to know caring for them, especially if they are largely invalids, is not a “natural occurrence.”

Originally posted by @romans1009
I don’t think so. People by nature are selfish or, at the very least, self interested. I’ve been around enough elderly people who have been abandoned by their children to know caring for them, especially if they are largely invalids, is not a “natural occurrence.”

I submit to you that because you are "self interested", you've bought into the "saved by faith alone" doctrine without having really considered your position or the gospel that Jesus preached during His ministry.

Originally posted by @fmf
But, while the 'giving' of non-Christians is essentially meaningless, the 'giving' of Christians is "evidence" of some sort of supernatural phenomenon, right?

You’re too focused on performance and “good works.” Neither saves. An atheist can do good works and a Christian can do good works. One is saved, the other is not. We went over this already. Salvation is by faith in Christ - not good works - which is why the atheist who does good works is not saved and the Christian who does good works is saved.

FMF: Isn't someone like me caring for my mother "a natural occurrence" too?

Originally posted by @romans1009
I don’t think so. People by nature are selfish or, at the very least, self interested. I’ve been around enough elderly people who have been abandoned by their children to know caring for them, especially if they are largely invalids, is not a “natural occurrence.”

So what kind of occurrence is someone like me caring for my mother, if not "a natural occurrence"?

Originally posted by @romans1009
You’re too focused on performance and “good works.”

No, I'm not. It's what we're discussing.

Originally posted by @thinkofone
[b]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?[/b]

You’re again trying to break salvation down to some sort of one-size-fits-all mathematical formula. Everyone’s faith journey is unique. One new Christian may immediately start doing good works; another may require more time.

Originally posted by @romans1009
An atheist can do good works and a Christian can do good works. One is saved, the other is not.

And if a Christian does not do 'good works' or does not do enough 'good works', their belief in Christ will not "save" them, right?

Originally posted by @fmf
If your amount of 'good works' tails off will it mean that your faith is increasingly 'dead' and your "salvation" in peril?

No. I think the Bible is pretty clear about unconditional salvation or “once saved, always saved.”

Originally posted by @romans1009
One new Christian may immediately start doing good works; another may require more time.

Will it be enough if the Christian who needs more time only does 'good works' in the last few seconds of their life?

Originally posted by @fmf
And if a Christian does not do 'good works' or does not do enough 'good works', their belief in Christ will not "save" them, right?

Wrong, because good works is not the method by which someone is saved.

FMF: If your amount of 'good works' tails off will it mean that your faith is increasingly 'dead' and your "salvation" in peril?

Originally posted by @romans1009
No. I think the Bible is pretty clear about unconditional salvation or “once saved, always saved.”

So you believe a Christian could do some 'good works' that provide "evidence" of their faith, and then stop those 'good works', and they would be "saved" anyway?