Bible Discussion Thread

Why is there so much difference of opinion between grace and work's doctrine?

Dear brother. Our salvation is not a result or a wage for our good lives, it is a gift from God through the sacrifice of His Son Jesus Christ. To understand that think that all people have sins since we are human and have weak nature . So God has to convict us no matter how good or bad people we are, just the penalty differs. But Jesus paid that penalty on the cross once (the wage of sin is death) as a represantative for all people of all times so now everybody who believes and accepts that sacrifice is freed from God's conviction (apostle Paul deals with that in ROMANS 2-8). But (and here is where the misunderstanding about grace and work comes in) once you accept the salvation God offered you and start walking your christian life, you HAVE TO HAVE a good life obeying God's laws written in the Gospel and do good things (works) so that you keep the salvation that you once accepted, because it can be lost, AND transform youself (your character) so to become similar to Jesus', that is God's. How do i loose my salvation? By doing sins and do not repent (the wage of sin is death). Also by not doing good things (works) which again is a sin {see James 4:17). It is not that the good things we do will save us, it is always the grace of God, but they show what we have inside (apostle James deals with that in his epistle). Example given, if i say i have love then how do i show that? By not being interested in other peoples needs and give some help? If that is the case then two things may have happened, either i dont care and i am outside God's life and salvation or i have not understood who is the God i beleived in. Wrote too much, hope didnt confuse you.

Have to say that for this topic various churches have various beliefs.

I believe the differences comes from these scriptures : Matthew 5:16, Matthew 7:21-29, Revelation 2:23, Revelation 20:13, Matthew 25:31-46,

Even Jesus did works: Matthew 11:2, Luke 19:37, & said greater works we shall do. John 14:20,

Matthew 16:27,

Matthew 23:3,5,23, hypocrisy not ok, you can read whole chapter & those chapters around it for context. John 8:39,

Romans 3:27-28, helps clarify, 'law of faith' Romans 4, Romans 9:30-33,

What is argued is: Romans 11:6, but in context it's the grace extended to Gentiles Romans 11:16-27, also read whole chapter Romans 11,

& Galatians 2:16, "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.'' the works of the law are in Gen. Exodus, Deuteronomy, Leviticus. Galatians 3,

& Galatians 2:8,9, but we can't ignore Galatians 2:10,

& 2Timothy 1:9 , Titus 3, Hebrews 4, Hebrews 4:11,

However again we can't ignore 2Timothy 3:16-17, Titus 1:15,16, Titus 2, Hebrews 10:24, James 3:13, 1Peter 2:12, Revelation 2:26,

* James 2,

That was a good question. :)

Keep coming back when you can. God loves you! And so do I.

Grace is given without expecting anything in return.

WORKS is something done in return for payment or wages.

Example: sin's wages are death

BUT THE GIFT of the Grace of God is forgiveness.

I sure have met a lot of people that don't believe there are wages for sin.

I watched this new video on Hurricane Andrew. This woman's house was rubble. Rather than be happy her husband and children survived-she wailed and railed on God for destroying her house! It was rant.

I just bowed my head because it hurt my heart when we blame God for all losses. But we barely give thanks for blessings.

Grace, un-merited favor, deserves our praise.