BloodBought 1953
Well-Known Member
Your problem is you think the phrase 'you have to have works to be saved' can ONLY mean 'works earn salvation'. You are literally incapable of seeing that having to have works in order to be saved from the lake of fire does not have to mean those works earn salvation. Even when it's explained to you, you still can't see it.
I see and know EXACTLY what you are talking about ..... you are confusing what a Believer “ should” do with what a Believer “ MUST “ do.....
I agree with you to an extent .....the Works Should crime and in most cases , they WiLL come .... it’s simply the outcome of being a “ New Creation” with a “ New Heart” .It is the RESULT of Salvation which is a GIFT.If any Works we’re required to GET Salvation or to KEEP Salvation or PROVE Salvation, it would not be a gift
Paul tells us that when we stand before God , He is going to Judge us according to his Gospel .That Gospel proclaims That if you Believed that Jesus died for your sins and rose from the Grave you are going to be Saved. THAT plus Nothing.Trembling people are likely to lie about that to God. He dies not need to see any evidence of “ works” to determine their fate , as if that’s the only way God can tell the liars from the Truth-Tellers . God sees The Heart and He wants to see a New One.ALL of those that RESTED in the Gospel have it. God knows who is His.....and of course He knows the Answer to His question before He even asks it.....he does not need to look for visible works.Works will come into play for the Faith- Saved Believer when Crowns or Rewards are passed out......
What you Believed will be the Criteria for Salvation —— not what you did. When you repent from being a non- Believer in the gospel to being a Believer in the Gospel , One will see that what he put His Trust in was what God did for man—- NOT what man did for God ....