Originally Posted by
De Maria
I can't find it. Will you post the reference.
Yes, the Bible is clear. This is what St. Paul says to believers:
1 Corinthians 4:5
Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God.
...if we confess...
Then you understand that you must repent of sin. Good.
I kind of smile in amazement when I meet people who realize that Jesus died for our sins and yet claim they don't have to do anything. Don't you realize that anything worthwhile is worth working for? Don't you believe that Salvation, being united to God for all eternity, is worthwhile?
Romans 2:7
To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life:
Hebrews 5:9
And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;
No one denies that. What we deny is the claim that anyone who refuses to walk in the works which God has prepared for them from all eternity will go to heaven.
That would be disobedience. Refer to Heb 5:9 above.
Does that mean that you will now refuse to do what is righteous? This is why even our works are God's gift. Because although our works are dirty rags, He rewards us for them.
Which He accomplishes through me. We are His hands, feet, mouth, eyes. It is through us that Christ works. That is why we are called His Body.
So, if you, a member of Christ's body, refuse to work, you will be cut off:
John 15 2Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away:
Have you not read in Scripture, BY FAITH HE....
Heb 11
4By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain,
7By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house;
8By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went.
It is because we have faith in God that we work in obedience to His Word.
Genesis 26:5
Because that Abraham obeyed my voice, and kept my charge, my commandments, my statutes, and my laws.
It is lack of faith which leads us not to work. And without faith, we are condemned, because without faith, we can't please God:
Hebrews 11:6
But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
Do you not know that our works perfect our faith:
James 2:22
Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?
It doesn't always.
If you say, "I invited all to my party." Did you really invite all? No, you invited all that you knew or all your friends.
In the same way, Jesus Christ cleanses us from all "repented" sin. But if there are any unrepented sins, they will not be cleansed until you repent of them completely. And repentance is more than giving lip service. Repentance is repayment.
Acts 26:20
But shewed first unto them of Damascus, and at Jerusalem, and throughout all the coasts of Judaea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, and do works meet for repentance.
It is doing you best to make things right again. Simply saying, "I'm sorry I busted your window." Is not enough. Not in this world and not in the world to come.
Sincerely,
De Maria
