Ephesians 2:8-10
King James Version (KJV)
8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.
10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
Nothing justifies me or you before God but faith in Christ plus nothing.
James 2:14
King James Version (KJV)
14 What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?
The works are simply the result, not the cause of salvation.
James 2:24
King James Version (KJV)
24 Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.
Sincerely,
De Maria
QUESTION: How can works be a "result" of salvation if one only discovers upon their death that they are saved?
ReplyDeleteDS SAID:The works are simply the result, not the cause of salvation.
RESPONSE: I don't think St. James, nor St. Paul agree with you on that one. But most importantly, neither does Jesus Christ.
That is a Protestant teaching that it took me the longest to understand. Apparently, they believe that when they claim to have faith, they are saved at that point in time. From that point on, God counts their works towards gaining "crowns" in heaven.
ReplyDeleteThe troubling part is that I have encountered Catholics (mostly x-Protestants), who still believe that as well. They claim that works before Baptism are without merit. However, the Catholic Church teaches that works before Baptism are judged by God under a different standard. They flow from a "de congruo" or "congruent" merit. This means "in harmony" and is a reference to merit which is seen in the eyes of a friend. When one turns to God with faith, God sees them as a friend:
James 2:21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar?22 Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?23 And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.
Whereas, after Baptism, the merit is "condigno" or "condign", which simply means, "with dignity".
This is a reference to Christ. It is merited with the Dignity of Christ. In other words, when we do good works after Baptism, it is as though Christ were working through us. Therefore, our merit is multiplied because we are sons of God. We're no longer just friends. We are family.
Romans 8:13 For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.