Works has to do with doing something. The seeker must do something. He must come and believe and repent.
Last edited by Nikos; 04-07-2018 at 09:21 PM.
God saved us and called us to Himself, not because of our goodness, but because of His own purpose and His unmerited grace in eternity past. Paul says that God is the one "who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of His own purpose and grace, which He gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began"(2 Tim 1:9).
We only receive salvation by trusting in the righteousness of Christ because God's law requires perfection, and we are not perfect. As far as faith and good works are concerned, they may be distinguished but never separated. Though our good works add no merit to our faith before God, and though the sole condition of our justification is our faith in Christ, if good works do not follow from our confession of faith, it is a clear indication that we do not possess justifying faith. True justification always results in the process of sanctification. If sanctification does not follow, it is certain that justification was not really present. This does not mean that justification depends and rests upon sanctification. Justification depends on true faith, which in turn will inevitably lead to works of obedience.
Living faith produces good works, but these good works are not the basis for justification. Only the merit achieved by Jesus Christ can justify the sinner. Though our good works do not merit salvation, they are the basis upon which God promises to distribute rewards at the judgment seat (bema) of Christ. Our entrance into the kingdom of God is by faith alone. Our reward in the kingdom will be according to our good works.
If you put God First, you have Him at Last.
Ezekiel 33 (04-25-2018)
I always leave 'works' discussion feeling like I just listened to the Abbott and Costello 'Who's on first' ...
curly sue (04-14-2018), Ezekiel 33 (04-25-2018)
curly sue (04-14-2018), Ezekiel 33 (04-25-2018)
Ezekiel 33 (04-25-2018)