Two Paradigms

1. DE MARIA 
   Anon says: 

   The Gospel as Faith Working Through Love

   In our last post we shifted gears from discussing a handful of the many New Testament passages that are unlikely to have arisen from a soteriological paradigm resembling the basic Protestant gospel, to considering the question, “If a sola fide-type paradigm is unlikely to have given rise to the NT teachings of Jesus and his followers, what type of gospel paradigm would have?”

   In my opinion, two paradigms nested one within the other.

   1. The overall paradigm, faith which works by love. This is the Law of the Commandments which we are still obligated to keep.

   2. The nested paradigm, faith apart from works of the law. This is the justification which occurs in the Sacraments. These are the efficacious signs which have replaced the ineffective animal sacrifices of the Old Testament. They are entirely works of God to which we present ourselves in faith, believing that He will accomplish all which He has promised.

   3. I believe this nested paradigm is what Luther confused with faith alone.

   We took as our springboard the exchange between Jesus and the scribe, in which the latter came to understand that love of God and neighbor eclipses in significance the sacrificial system of the Mosaic law, thence being described by the Lord as “not far from the kingdom of God.”

   Agreed. Love fulfills the law.

   And further, I suggested that the scribe being merely near the kingdom rather than in it was due to the simple eschatological fact that while “the hour was coming” when the New Covenant would be inaugurated, the scribe was nonetheless still worshiping in a particular mountain, in the earthly Jerusalem, and under a typological covenant that was soon to expire.

   Due to the true justification of the Sacraments. The Scribe was near the Kingdom but not in it because he had never been baptized in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

   My argument henceforth will be that the rest of the NT writers operated from this basic gospel paradigm that the Spirit-wrought love of God and neighbor that the New Covenant bestows is what fulfills the law and graciously results in our gaining eternal life, and this basic supposition is what gave rise to the inspired words they wrote.

   This is true for both, final judgment which is judged according to our faith and works and the Sacramental (1 Cor 11:27-28) self examination which one must undergo before receiving a Sacrament. Before one receives a Sacrament, one must repent of his sins and be in a state of grace. Which amounts to keeping the Commandments:
   1 John 3:4 Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law..

   We will start with Paul to the Galatians, specifically chapters 5 and 6. For the sake of brevity I will cite only the verses pertinent to my argument, but if you feel I skipped something significant, don’t hesitate to point it out:
   If you receive circumcision, Christ will be of no advantage to you … You are severed from Christ, you who would be justified by the law; you have fallen away from grace … For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything, but only faith working through love … For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” … But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh … But the fruit of the Spirit is love … the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. (vv. 5:2, 4, 6, 14, 16, 22; 6:8)
   Some things worth noting:
   1. The context is justification,

   Agreed.

   which is clear from the fact that Paul is addressing those who wanted to be “justified by the law.”

   Agreed.

   2. The form that justification by the law takes for Paul is circumcision.

   The SIGN is circumcision. As I understand St. Paul, to be justified by the law is to await the Judgment of God on the Last Day. That is why he says, “Christ will be of no advantage to you”. Because, in the Sacraments, Christ justifies us, He washes away our sins by the power of the Holy Spirit.

   3. While circumcision avails nothing for justification, what does avail for justification is “faith working through love.”

   To be more precise.
   Neither circumcision (Jews) nor uncircumcision (Gentiles) avail anything. Final justification is by faith working through love.

   It is Catholic Doctrine that a baptized person who does not keep the Golden Law of Love, can not be saved.

   837 “Fully incorporated into the society of the Church are those who, possessing the Spirit of Christ, accept all the means of salvation given to the Church together with her entire organization, and who – by the bonds constituted by the profession of faith, the sacraments, ecclesiastical government, and communion – are joined in the visible structure of the Church of Christ, who rules her through the Supreme Pontiff and the bishops. Even though incorporated into the Church, one who does not however persevere in charity is not saved. He remains indeed in the bosom of the Church, but ‘in body’ not ‘in heart.’”321

   4. Like Jesus before him, Paul adopts and cites the paradigmatic refrain that love fulfills the law.

   Agreed. For in the very same chapter he says, “such as these transgress no law (Gal 5:22-23).

   5. This law-fulfilling love is the fruit of the Spirit, whom Christ sheds forth under the New Covenant (cf. 4:1ff).

   Agreed.

   6. The “faith working through love” which avails for justification is also called “walking by the Spirit” and “sowing to the Spirit.”

   Agreed.

   7. The result of this faith working through love and sowing to the Spirit is reaping eternal life.

   Yes. But this sowing to the Spirit is accomplished in this life, by the Sacraments.
   But for those who do not receive the Sacraments, Jews, Protestants, pagans and the like, it is accomplished with respect to God’s Judgment, on the Last Day:
   Revelation 22:12-15
   King James Version (KJV)
   12 And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.
   13 I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last.
   14 Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.
   15 For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie.

   Thus the progression that will emerge among the other NT writers is seen explicitly here. According to this progression, the Son bestows the Spirit who bears the fruit of divine love in our hearts,

   In this life, via the Sacraments:

   Hebrews 12:17-24
   King James Version (KJV)
   17 For ye know how that afterward, when he would have inherited the blessing, he was rejected: for he found no place of repentance, though he sought it carefully with tears.
   18 For ye are not come unto the mount that might be touched, and that burned with fire, nor unto blackness, and darkness, and tempest,
   19 And the sound of a trumpet, and the voice of words; which voice they that heard intreated that the word should not be spoken to them any more:
   20 (For they could not endure that which was commanded, And if so much as a beast touch the mountain, it shall be stoned, or thrust through with a dart:
   21 And so terrible was the sight, that Moses said, I exceedingly fear and quake:)
   22 But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels,
   23 To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect,
   24 And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel.

   and if we walk in that love, we will reap eternal life.

   This is true for Protestant, Pagan, Jew, Orthodox or Catholic. The difference is that Catholics and Orthodox, because of their faith in the Sacraments, will reap eternal life in this life. The others must await the Judgment.

   Yes, Protestants are baptized. But they have no faith in the Baptism for salvation (Mark 16:16).

   This is all subsumed by Paul under the phrase, “faith working through love.” This is the paradigm from which Paul wrote and taught, and is nothing less than the gospel itself.

   Agreed.

No strings attached

1. DE MARIA June 8, 2013 at 12:43 pm

   THE OLD ADAM June 8, 2013 at 6:12 am
   Once again…a different definition of the gospel.

   That is what Luther brought.

   “Unmerited favor”.

   What about it? Please provide an Scriptural response that I can look up and verify.

   “Your sins are forgiven for Jesus’ sake”.

   If you turn to God and do good:
   Romans 2:13
   King James Version (KJV)
   13 (For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified.

   Fully, completely, no strings attached.

   Scripture says:
   1 Corinthians 6:9
   Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind,

   In order to be saved, you must do good:
   Revelation 22:14
   King James Version (KJV)
   14 Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.

   To the extent that the Catholic Church announces that, I say Amen! Do it again!

   The Catholic Church only announces the truth. You are saying amen to traditions of men.

   And don’t stop. Keep announcing it into the faces of all those who don’t quite believe it it. That they may hear…and by God’s grace, believe.

   We believe the truth which is taught by the Catholic Church to all who will listen:
   1 Timothy 3:15
   King James Version (KJV)
   15 But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.

   Thanks God for priests and laypeople who have the guts to stand up in the face of real power and speak the truth!

   That is what the Catholic Church does, day in and day out, throughout the world.

   Sort of like the whistleblowers in all of this current IRS scandal, etc. These guys know what is going on is WRONG.

   The Catholic Church speaks out against tyranny and evil and has done so since the time of Christ.

   But yet their fear of power hurting them doesn’t stop them from doing the right thing.
   Luther saw the Church selling forgiveness to poor people and finally said ENOUGH!

   Luther saw an opportunity to cash in and become rich and took it.

   This isn’t the pure gospel or anything remotely close to it.

   You are correct. Luther’s gospel is a gospel perverted. Any man who would incite husbands to commit adultery does not understand the Gospel of Jesus Christ:
   One spouse may rob and withdraw himself or herself from the other and refuse to grant the conjugal due or to associate with the other. One may find a woman so stubborn and thick-headed that it means nothing to her though her husband fall into unchasteness ten times. Then it is time for the man to say: If you are not willing, another woman is; if the wife is not willing, bring on the maid. But this only after the husband has told his wife once or twice, warned her, and let it be known to other people that her stubborn refusal may be publicly known and rebuked before the congregation. If she still does not want to comply, then dismiss her; let an Esther be given you and allow Vashti to go, as did King Ahasuerus (Esther 2:17).

   
   

   (Quoted from Ewald M. Plass, ed., What Luther Says: A Practical In-Home Anthology for Active Christians (St. Louis: Concordia, 1991), paragraph 2811)

   And for that he was kicked out (he didn’t leave on his own) under a penalty of death.

   Let us look at Scripture:
   Hebrews 10:25-31
   King James Version (KJV)
   25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

   26 For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,

   27 But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.

   28 He that despised Moses’ law died without mercy under two or three witnesses:

   29 Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?

   30 For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people.

   31 It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

   Luther induced thousands to abandon the Assembly. When they followed Luther out of the Church, they abandoned the gathering of the people of God and substituted the assembly of the people of Luther.

   
   But he kept at it, for the sake of the gospel and Christian freedom.
   Thank God for that little rebellious monk!

   I agree. Heresies have to come:
   1 Corinthians 11:19
   For there must be also heresies among you, that they which are approved may be made manifest among you.

   Sincerely,

   De Maria

Those who are saved will be drawn from the pool of those who keep the Law.

Luther:

Yes, we have been over this and you still don't get it. So Cornelius was justified by works of righteousness prior to hearing words by which he and his household will be saved?

St. Cornelius was saved by God like all the rest of us. Enduring to the end.
Matthew 24:13  But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.

Titus 3:5 clearly states - that it's not by works of righteousness which we have done but according to His mercy He saved us..

That is correct. In the washing of regeneration which is Baptism.

In Acts 10:34-35, Peter prefaced his message with a frank admission. Up to now he had believed that God's favor was limited to the nation of Israel. Now he realized that God did not respect a man's person because of his nationality. He was not implying that Cornelius was already saved based on fearing God and working righteousness apart from believing the gospel. Cornelius already worshiped the true God, but this was not enough. He lacked faith in Christ for salvation (Acts 10:36,43). Acts 10:22 - "Cornelius the centurion, a just man, one who fears God and has a good reputation among all the nation of the Jews, was divinely instructed by a holy angel to summon you to his house, and to hear words from you." What were those words? To Him all the prophets witness that, through His name, whoever believes in Him will receive remission of sins (Acts 10:43).

A believer will be Baptized:
Acts 2:38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

Are you trying to imply that Cornelius was already saved based on his own merits? Then why did God's angel instruct him to send for Peter?

In order that St. Peter would Baptize him. Think about it. St. Cornelius had already received the Holy Spirit. The only thing that St. Peter could do for him was to Baptize him and thus God would wash away his sins and he would be born again a Child of God.

If a man can be saved without the gospel why bother to preach it?

1. Because it is God's will.
2. Because God wishes all men be saved.
3. Because the Gospel is the faith of Christ Jesus without which one can not be born again a Child of God.

There are many reasons. But I think you are asking, "what is the Christian advantage?" Frankly, the advantage we enjoy is in all those things which you reject. The Church and the Sacraments. The Sacraments are fountains of grace which Jesus Christ established so that we could live life more fully.

John 10:10  The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

It is because of the Seven Sacraments that St. Paul says:

Hebrews 12:21And so terrible was the sight, that Moses said, I exceedingly fear and quake
²²But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels,²³To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect,
²⁴And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel.

All who reject the Church and the Sacraments must await the Judgement before they can walk with the Saints.

Peter in reporting what had happened at Cornelius' house once he gets back to Jerusalem throws more light on why Cornelius, by the angel's direction, had been instructed to send for him. The angel had told Cornelius that "Peter shall speak words to you by which you and all your household will be saved" (Acts 11:14). So there were words Cornelius needed to hear in order to be saved. How does this passage highlight the necessity of baptism to be born again? Whosoever believes in Him shall receive remission of sins (vs. 43). Not whosoever is baptized.

Whosoever believes will be Baptized (Mark 16:16).
Those who believe and are Baptized will receive the remission of sins (Acts 2:38).

The gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on these Gentiles when they believed and prior to getting water baptized. They spoke in tongues and magnified God. They were already born again prior to being water baptized. "Can anyone forbid water, that these should not be baptized who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?" (vs. 47).

That doesn't say they were born again before Baptism. Nor does it say they were saved. As I have already pointed out multiple times. Receiving the Holy Spirit is not a guarantee of salvation. Simply read Heb 6:4-6.

By this we know that we abide in Him, and He in us, because He has given us of His Spirit (1 John 4:13). Because he had the Holy Spirit Cornelius abided in God and God abided in him. To abide in God and to have God abide in you does not describe someone who has not been born again but a saved believer who has been born again - such was the case of Cornelius before he was water baptized.

Abiding in God and God abiding in him describes a person who loves God and keeps His Commandments:
1 John 3:24 And he that keepeth his commandments dwelleth in him, and he in him. And hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us.

Paul is speaking about the testing of works and says nothing about the suffering of souls.

1 Corinthians 3:15 If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.

He is simply teaching that in the Day of Judgment, the works of every Christian will be tested ("the fire will test each one's work") and everyone will be rewarded accordingly.

What are you thinking? That this person kept his works in his pocket? The fire will try the faith of the man which is recorded in his soul:
1 Peter 1:7 That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:

Unworthy works will be burned up

What are unworthy works? They are sins:
Proverbs 11:18 The wicked worketh a deceitful work: but to him that soweth righteousness shall be a sure reward.

and the individual will lose the reward though he himself will be saved. If fire is referring to purgatorial pains, rather than the testing of works, why should those who had built with gold, silver, precious stones suffer along with those who had built with unworthy wood, hay and straw (since the fire test each one's work)?

Have you not read in Scripture?
Romans 8:17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.

Scripture sets the believer's heart to rest. "You were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God" (1 Corinthians 6:11). It's not purgatory's flames that cleanse the sinner from evil. The Word of God teaches that "the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin". The blood of Christ is thoroughly effective and purifies from all defilement. His blood really and actually cleanses "from all sin."

I agree. Where do you get it? I get it in the Eucharist:
Luke 22:20 Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you.

Hebrews 1:3 - who being the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the word of His power, when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high. Purgatory denies the sufficiency of Christ's sacrifice on the cross for sin. The Roman Catholic Church, in more ways than one, teaches that Jesus is not sufficient.

On the contrary, Purgatory is pure mercy which is effected on the believer by Christ without his interference at all. God could simply let the imperfect believer go to hell. But instead, because he built a foundation upon Christ, he will be saved, by fire.

Did the thief on the cross go to purgatory or to paradise with Jesus THAT SAME DAY?

Why? Do you think that it is impossible for God? Or do you think the Thief saved himself?

How much time do people spend in purgatory according to the Roman Catholic church before they make it to heaven?

How much time to people spend on earth before they make it to heaven?

What bondage!

If it is bondage, it is the will of God we be bound and I accept the Will of God:
Revelation 2:10 Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.

Did Paul say that it was possible for him to be disqualified for the prize

Yes.

or to receive eternal life?

Same prize.

Any humble person who honestly compares himself to God would see their complete need for Jesus to save them

Amen!

and not turn to supplements (rituals, sacraments, works, etc..) in addition to Jesus (Romans 3:23- 6:23).

That's a funny attitude. Jesus commanded that we perform these rituals (Luke 22:19), receive these Sacraments (Mark 16:16) and accomplish these works (Matt 25:31-46; John 14:21-24). It is because of our faith in Christ that we do these things.

Jesus needs no supplements. He is an allsufficient Savior.

There is not a question of what Jesus needs. It is a question of you needing to obey Him.

"Castaway" in the KJV. "Disqualified" in the NKJV, ESV, NASB and "disqualified for the prize" in the NIV. Paul means rejected for the prize, not for salvation. What is the prize before Paul? Is it that reward of which he spoke in verse 1 Corinthians 9:18 , his glorying of preaching a free gospel? What have we learned about rewards? (1 Corinthians 3:13-15). Is salvation a reward based on works or a gift based on faith? (Ephesians 2:8,9). So you equate the wreath or garland which was given as a prize to victors in public games to receiving eternal life? Does that sound like a gift to you? (Romans 6:23; Ephesians 2:8). Verse 24 - Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it. If we apply your logic here, many people are running in a race to earn their salvation but only one will receive eternal life.

That is your logic. The logic of St. Paul is very simple. RUN LIKE A WINNER.

Think of the Olympics. Out of all those competing in a race all run, but only one receives a gold medal. Does this mean that only the gold medalist goes to heaven and those who receive a silver or bronze medal go to hell? What about those whose works are burned up, but they are still saved? (1 Corinthians 3:13-15). Did they run in such a way to receive the prize?

How do you read Scripture? Do you read each verse as though it were completely alone without a Christian understanding to support it? Read that same verse keeping in mind this teaching:
Luke 13:24 Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able.

Now do you understand what it means to run in such a way that you will obtain it?

In light of the context this does not mean loss of salvation. Through the self righteous lens of works salvation, it only appears that way.

Keep reading. Verse 17 - For if I do this willingly, I have a reward; but if against my will, I have been entrusted with a stewardship. No loss of salvation suggested.

Not that verse. Read the one before:
1 Corinthians 9:16For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel!

Keep in mind what he has said elsewhere:
1 Corinthians 4:1  Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God.  ²Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.

Therefore, WOE UNTO HIM WHO IS A MINISTER OF THE GOSPEL AND DOES NOT PREACH IT.

What had changed?

I suspect it is explained in 2 Cor:
2 Corinthians 12:1  It is not expedient for me doubtless to glory. I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord.  ²I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago, (whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth such an one caught up to the third heaven.  ³And I knew such a man, (whether in the body, or out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth  ⁴How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.

You deny this, but your words say otherwise. Saved by commandmentment keeping, the sacraments, justified by doing the law, service of and witness to the faith etc.. WORKS.

The fact that you don't understand what I'm saying says much about the level of indoctrination you will need to overcome in order to come to the truth. God saves those who keep the Commandments. God saves those who keep the Sacraments. God justifies those who keep the Law. God saves those who show their faith in their works.

You don't save yourself by your reliance upon your faith alone or otherwise.

We are saved through faith, not works, not faith AND works. Why do you keep ignoring the lack of the word AND?

Why do you keep ignoring the fact that faith alone is dead?
James 2:17  Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.

Why do you keep insisting on a doctrine which directly contradicts the Word of God?

Another misunderstanding by the Roman Catholic church which has added another work to salvation through faith. In Matthew 10:32-33, the broader context of this passage relates to the fact that the Pharisees had continuously denied Jesus while the disciples spoke about Him in every city they visited. We might paraphrase His teaching this way: "Whoever confesses me before men (such as you disciples), I will confess him before my Father in heaven. But whoever denies me before men (like these Pharisees do on every occasion they get), I will deny him before my Father in heaven. Those who confess Jesus are those who recognize Him as being the true Messiah and trust in Him for salvation. This is descriptive of a believer, not an additional requirement to become saved.

That which describes the believer is OBEDIENCE.

Those who deny Jesus (and those who give mere lip service confession) but refuse to trust in Him alone for salvation place themselves beyond any possibility of salvation, since salvation is found only in Him. The word for "deny" is an aorist tense. This points to the fact that Jesus is not talking about a single instance of denial (as was the case with Peter, who actually denied Him three times - Luke 22:34), but is referring to life in its entirety. Hence, the person who throughout his life denies Christ (as was typically the case with the Pharisess and includes unbelievers who give mere lip service confession but don't truly believe) will be denied by Christ before the Father. This is descriptive of unbelievers. Lip service confession apart from saving faith is not genuine confession.

You have just described the man who professes faith alone. He is giving mere lip service to faith in Christ since he deems unnecessary all which Christ has commanded.

I do await His Judgment to have my works tested by fire in order to receive rewards and loss of rewards, not salvation or loss of salvation (1 Corinthians 3:13-15).

That just means you have accepted Purgatory. Because Purgatory is only for those who will be saved. Notice that the wicked DO NOT GO TO PURGATORY. It is only a mercy of God extended to those who did not achieve perfection in this life.

I don't claim to know how this will turn out. God has already revealed who will be saved and who won't be saved. I don't have to wait to figure that out. He who BELIEVES IN HIM is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already.. (John 3:18).

¹⁸He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
¹⁹And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.
²⁰For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.
²¹But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.

Either we believe and we are saved or else we don't believe and we are condemned.

That is a false gospel.

Either we believe and do the works which God commands and are saved or we don't believe and deny God and are condemned.
Revelation 22:13  I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last.
¹⁴Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.
¹⁵For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie.

For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that BELIEVES (Romans 1:16).

Keep reading:
¹⁷For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.  ¹⁸For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;  ¹⁹Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them.  ²⁰For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse  ²¹Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.  ²²Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,  ²³And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things.  ²⁴Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves:  ²⁵Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.  ²⁶For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature:  ²⁷And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet.  ²⁸And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;  ²⁹Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers,  ³⁰Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,  ³¹Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful:  ³²Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.

But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which BELIEVE NOT.. (2 Corinthians 4:3,4).

Keep reading 2 Cor 5:9  Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him.  ¹⁰For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.

Either we BELIEVE the gospel and we are saved or else we don't believe the gospel and we are lost. God's Word is clear on this before the Judgment. There will be many self righteous people in shock at the Judgment who thought they should be saved based on their so called many wonderful works, (they confuse this with salvation through faith) yet they will be disappointed (Matthew 7:22-23). Jesus NEVER knew them.

Amen! Keep that firmly in mind. You think you are saved, relying upon your faith alone for salvation. But God is Great! It is He who is Judge. Not you.

That is what you have read into the Scripture. But the Scripture says otherwise.

If anyone's work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, (1 Corinthians 3:15). What have I read into this? It's crystal clear. He who believes in Him shall not perish, is not condemned, has everlasting life, shall receive remission of sins, is justified from all things, shall be saved (John 3:16,18; 5:24; Acts 10:43; 13:39; 16:31). Why is this not clear to you? (1 Corinthians 2:11-14).

It is quite clear to me. He that does these things will be saved. I pray that I am amongst those. But I will not rely upon my faith nor upon my works but upon the mercy of God. You on the other hand, have declared yourself saved. Obviously, you care nothing about what God thinks in regards to your salvation. YOU HAVE DECIDED. You can have your judgement. I will await God's.

If God says that we have been justified by faith (Romans 5:1) and I have faith, then I have been justified according to God, not according to me. These are His words, not mine.

You claim to have faith and justify yourself. God will reveal whether you truly have faith. God will judge.

And how many of us have perfectly obeyed the Law?

Who knows? Does any man know?

I already explained this to you more than once.

And I corrected your explanation more than once.

This verse refers to the Jews who had the law and who heard the law.

Read more. It is about Jews and Gentile. In other words, about everyone.

It is not enough just to have the law. It is not enough just to hear the law. A person must DO (obey) the law.

Thank you. Therefore, faith alone is dead.

Paul’s argument is very simple: The Jews had the law (possessed it), they heard the law, but they did not do the law, and therefore the Jews are condemned! Paul is not teaching salvation through observing the law here which is clear from Romans 3:20 - "Therefore NO ONE WILL BE DECLARED RIGHTEOUS IN HIS SIGHT BY OBSERVING THE LAW; through the law we become conscious of sin." For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and seeking to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted to the righteousness of God. For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who BELIEVES (Romans 10:3-4). Are you ready to BELIEVE?

I already believe. It is you having trouble.

St. Paul is teaching a very simple concept. Those who are saved will be drawn from the pool of those who keep the Law. Those who are condemned will be drawn from the pool of they who do not keep the Law.

Please continue to prayerfully seek the truth.

And you as well.

Sincerely,

De Maria