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Question regarding Commands of Jesus

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I haven't been here long and maybe I am talking too much but I have a question for those who have lately come on and talk about taking all the commands of Jesus literally as being a sign of a true Christian.

NOTE: I did not start this thread to have a debate back and forth on whether or not this is true doctrine but rather I have a simple question:

Just for curiosity, to those who are saying this - I would like to know how this is working in your lives. It definitely sounds interesting. I assume since you believe this way that you have do not have any possessions (house, car etc) and have distributed any savings among the poor. Are you living in someone's house and working for food? I do not say this to be funny or rude!! :smile: I am just curious.
.
Luke 14:33 So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.
 
Loyal
I haven't been here long and maybe I am talking too much but I have a question for those who have lately come on and talk about taking all the commands of Jesus literally as being a sign of a true Christian.

NOTE: I did not start this thread to have a debate back and forth on whether or not this is true doctrine but rather I have a simple question:

Just for curiosity, to those who are saying this - I would like to know how this is working in your lives. It definitely sounds interesting. I assume since you believe this way that you have do not have any possessions (house, car etc) and have distributed any savings among the poor. Are you living in someone's house and working for food? I do not say this to be funny or rude!! :smile: I am just curious.
.
Luke 14:33 So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.
Here is ALL of the law Jesus told us to obey.

Matthew 22:37-40 King James Version (KJV)

37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.

38 This is the first and great commandment.

39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

40 On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.

Notice vs 40. All of the Old Covenant law and all of the prophets are based on these two laws...Fulfill these two laws and you keep all the Old Covenant law....and the New as well.
In keeping these two laws you do not negate grace. You need that grace to keep these laws..The laws of LOVE.
 
Loyal
I haven't been here long and maybe I am talking too much but I have a question for those who have lately come on and talk about taking all the commands of Jesus literally as being a sign of a true Christian.

NOTE: I did not start this thread to have a debate back and forth on whether or not this is true doctrine but rather I have a simple question:

Just for curiosity, to those who are saying this - I would like to know how this is working in your lives. It definitely sounds interesting. I assume since you believe this way that you have do not have any possessions (house, car etc) and have distributed any savings among the poor. Are you living in someone's house and working for food? I do not say this to be funny or rude!! :smile: I am just curious.
.
Luke 14:33 So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.


you should check out the movie "Mully" God told him not to work no more, but to start a orphanage for street kids. Quick back story this is true Mully himself went from being a street kid, to one of the richest men in Kenya. So he followed Gods advice and he has never done business again, and now has the largest orphange in Kenya. He teaches the gospel to the kids and relies on the donations of other but BUT BUT also is currently getting more and more self sufficent by growing there own food. O and the place that he grows food on, once was a desert dirt pile that no thought could ever grow food.

his organization is alive and well today MCF | Saving Children In Need | Mully Children's Family USA
 
Loyal
you should check out the movie "Mully" God told him not to work no more, but to start a orphanage for street kids. Quick back story this is true Mully himself went from being a street kid, to one of the richest men in Kenya. So he followed Gods advice and he has never done business again, and now has the largest orphange in Kenya. He teaches the gospel to the kids and relies on the donations of other but BUT BUT also is currently getting more and more self sufficent by growing there own food. O and the place that he grows food on, once was a desert dirt pile that no thought could ever grow food.

his organization is alive and well today MCF | Saving Children In Need | Mully Children's Family USA
Comes from following Gods leading, work, and faith
 
Member
I haven't been here long and maybe I am talking too much but I have a question for those who have lately come on and talk about taking all the commands of Jesus literally as being a sign of a true Christian.

NOTE: I did not start this thread to have a debate back and forth on whether or not this is true doctrine but rather I have a simple question:

Just for curiosity, to those who are saying this - I would like to know how this is working in your lives. It definitely sounds interesting. I assume since you believe this way that you have do not have any possessions (house, car etc) and have distributed any savings among the poor. Are you living in someone's house and working for food? I do not say this to be funny or rude!! :smile: I am just curious.
.
Luke 14:33 So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.


I appreciate the non debating spirit, because I'm not here to argue either so thank you. There's a good saying that if you know you're right you have no need to argue!

Giving you my testimony might help you see where I'm coming from, so here! One day I got a conviction from God after some trial and error when it came to loving him. The conviction was to leave my home and job. I left with my wife and a couple friends because they thought that they needed to do something for God too. After a couple weeks on the road, we all started to break down spiritually, we didn't know what God wanted us to do now! But, with some sincere seeking God gave us the answer we were all looking for, and we read it in the gospels. I was reading all the things Jesus taught, and saw how today no one was speaking about these things at all! That stood out to me big time, because I always knew that God's people were going to be very few and far between. One day I came across Luke 14:33, and realized that I forsoke all without even knowing the scripture! So then I knew 100% that God led me to do what I did, and since I saw that teaching work I needed to obey all the other ones I read. Jesus said that if we want to know if the things he told us are, true then do them John 7:17.

Yes I left everything, but Jesus said he would give back if we left all for his sake. So I do have things, but the things I have are all used for giving God glory, spreading his message. I got these things because I decided put him first, I spread his teachings. "And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or fields for my sake will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life." Matthew 19:29. I don't work for food, because Jesus said not to John 6:27. Jesus told us to seek first the kingdom of God which I believe is spreading his teachings and giving love anyway we can. Then all the things we need will be added onto us, we don't need to work for food, clothes, etc. Read Matthew 6:24-34

Hope this answers some of your thoughts. I'll be here as much as I can to talk.
 
Member
I haven't been here long and maybe I am talking too much but I have a question for those who have lately come on and talk about taking all the commands of Jesus literally as being a sign of a true Christian.

NOTE: I did not start this thread to have a debate back and forth on whether or not this is true doctrine but rather I have a simple question:

Just for curiosity, to those who are saying this - I would like to know how this is working in your lives. It definitely sounds interesting. I assume since you believe this way that you have do not have any possessions (house, car etc) and have distributed any savings among the poor. Are you living in someone's house and working for food? I do not say this to be funny or rude!! :smile: I am just curious.
.
Luke 14:33 So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.
Hey Chad,

I think that is a great question, you don't know unless you ask. First, I will ask you while you read this to think in your mind, do you believe that God can provide all your needs, if you work to build his Kingdom before anything else.

We as a community we have quit our job's working for money, we have sold our possessions, and are going into all the world preaching the gospel. It works out because we took God up on his promise, that he will provide our food and clothing if we work to build his Kingdom first (Mathew 6:30-34). We have came to find out he provides much more, but he promises food and clothing. I mean we are believing God, to resurrect us when we die to go to Heaven, right? So, if we believe that, then us believing he able to feed and clothe us should be nothing.

On the topic of possessions; no, I do not own anything that is my own. We share all things in common (Acts 4:32). The Lord's prayer is something that I find very interesting. Jesus taught us to pray, "OUR Father in Heaven, holy be thy name. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth and it is in Heaven. Give US this day OUR daily bread, and forgive US of OUR debts, as WE forgive OUR debtors. Lead US not into temptation but deliver US from evil." That prayer sounds like God even wants us to pray as a community, give US our daily bread, forgive US of OUR debts.

I hope this answers some of your questions. I hope this finds you well.
 
Member
I haven't been here long and maybe I am talking too much but I have a question for those who have lately come on and talk about taking all the commands of Jesus literally as being a sign of a true Christian.

NOTE: I did not start this thread to have a debate back and forth on whether or not this is true doctrine but rather I have a simple question:

Just for curiosity, to those who are saying this - I would like to know how this is working in your lives. It definitely sounds interesting. I assume since you believe this way that you have do not have any possessions (house, car etc) and have distributed any savings among the poor. Are you living in someone's house and working for food? I do not say this to be funny or rude!! :smile: I am just curious.
.
Luke 14:33 So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.

Hey Chad, Lily here.

We live in a Christian Community, and we travel. We are a group of normal Christians who have come from all sorts of different backgrounds, we found Jesus through searching for truth. We share all things in common and we try to live exactly like how the first Christians did. (Acts 2:44-45 , & Acts 4:32-35) We are all trying our best to tell people the Teachings of Jesus, (some examples would be Luke 14:33, Matthew 6:24). Jesus says we WILL be judged by the words that he has spoken (John 12:48), and so we are just trying to get people to pay attention to what he has said.

I left with my husband just on a hunch that we needed to do something to get closer to God, and on that Journey I found a lot of truths. I discovered that I need be prepared to forsake all that I have and lay down my life for the people that I love and lay down my life for Jesus. I met friends who have the same mindset as me and they are also reading the four gospels trying to follow Jesus. We share what we have and we distribute it evenly to those who have need. We do not work, as said above, we rely entirely on God's provision. In order to call ourselves Christians, we need to be able to listen to the person we claim to be following. Please, let any of us know if you have more questions.
 
Active
Thank for sharing @Lily Miller @spreadingtheGospel , @TheTruthWithin37 . So it sounds like you all are part of the same community, perhaps along with @Jakesoulsatstake ? :smile:

I would have a question on your comment of "we do not work" and how God provides (is your provision from other believers?) because the Bible does say "if we do not work we should not eat". However I am sure you have been faced with this verse many times, and from some posts on here I gather that you take what you see as the commands of Jesus first, even if it would contradict the rest of the NT. I don't really feel to belabor this point right now but I do have another question:

How would you explain the plan of salvation, and how we are saved, and justified etc? What is your testimony regarding this? To me this is the most important.

EDIT: Of course, obedience is important too! But what do you base your salvation on?
 
Member
Thank for sharing @Lily Miller @spreadingtheGospel , @TheTruthWithin37 . So it sounds like you all are part of the same community, perhaps along with @Jakesoulsatstake ? :smile:

I would have a question on your comment of "we do not work" and how God provides (is your provision from other believers?) because the Bible does say "if we do not work we should not eat". However I am sure you have been faced with this verse many times, and from some posts on here I gather that you take what you see as the commands of Jesus first, even if it would contradict the rest of the NT. I don't really feel to belabor this point right now but I do have another question:

How would you explain the plan of salvation, and how we are saved, and justified etc? What is your testimony regarding this? To me this is the most important.

EDIT: Of course, obedience is important too! But what do you base your salvation on?

In 2 Thessalonians 3:6-10 a church is being addressed, people who are doing God's work ( preaching Jesus' teachings ) are having some trouble with people who are slacking off. So then it's said that whoever dosen't work ( for God ) shouldn't eat. I don't believe that those people were working for anything else, they were just idle when it came to doing God's will, bumps on a log. So since God promised that if we work for him he'll feed us surely if we don't work for him he wont provide. So then we would have to resort to working for money to buy food which isn't what God wants any of us to do. Because then we would trust in money more than him giving what we need. We can't put God in a box, yes we get food from other people who believe. But we also get things from athiests who we share the message with or who just want to share love with us. God can provide in anyway he likes, as long as we're seeking him first he'll pick up all the rest.
 
Member
Thank for sharing @Lily Miller @spreadingtheGospel , @TheTruthWithin37 . So it sounds like you all are part of the same community, perhaps along with @Jakesoulsatstake ? :smile:

I would have a question on your comment of "we do not work" and how God provides (is your provision from other believers?) because the Bible does say "if we do not work we should not eat". However I am sure you have been faced with this verse many times, and from some posts on here I gather that you take what you see as the commands of Jesus first, even if it would contradict the rest of the NT. I don't really feel to belabor this point right now but I do have another question:

How would you explain the plan of salvation, and how we are saved, and justified etc? What is your testimony regarding this? To me this is the most important.

EDIT: Of course, obedience is important too! But what do you base your salvation on?


The provision that we get is from other believers, We go out and evangelize, and we receive donations from people, food and clothing and what not. I have found that God provides in many different ways. Jesus say's "So do not worry, saying 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' for the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first His Kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." Matthew 6:31-33

In the same chapter Jesus says "look at the birds of the air, does God provide for them? Aren't we worth more than those birds?" (paraphrase) Matthew 6:26. We really just try to focus on God and everything else comes afterwards, that is all our Father wants, to provide for us. The four gospels were written so what Jesus said could be taken literal, we are supposed to listen to our Messiah.

I don't believe Jesus contradicts the NT, Paul even say's so himself that if anyone contradicts the Gospel of Christ, they will be eternally condemned. Galatians 1:6-9 I believe it is supposed to line up with one another, but people use Paul against Jesus, which isn't supposed to be happening.

Edit:: We base our salvation on the Teachings of Jesus, because on the last day that is what we will be judged by. (John 12:48)

(P.s : we are working on a reply to your important question. :smile: )
 
Member
Thank for sharing @Lily Miller @spreadingtheGospel , @TheTruthWithin37 . So it sounds like you all are part of the same community, perhaps along with @Jakesoulsatstake ? :smile:

I would have a question on your comment of "we do not work" and how God provides (is your provision from other believers?) because the Bible does say "if we do not work we should not eat". However I am sure you have been faced with this verse many times, and from some posts on here I gather that you take what you see as the commands of Jesus first, even if it would contradict the rest of the NT. I don't really feel to belabor this point right now but I do have another question:

How would you explain the plan of salvation, and how we are saved, and justified etc? What is your testimony regarding this? To me this is the most important.

EDIT: Of course, obedience is important too! But what do you base your salvation on?
Hey Chad,

I base my salvation on the things that Jesus commanded his followers to do. No one is perfect, we all mess up a lot. So we needed Jesus' sacrifice to cover our multitude of sins. So it is a combination of both. Let's look at it like this we are on strait path, if we are walking on the strait path and we mess up and fall off the path, then that's when Jesus' blood covers our sins. But, to walk on the path we have to follow the rules that Jesus told us to. A lot of people think what Paul spoke, "that this is the gospel I preached to you, that Jesus died for your sins" (Corinthians 15:1-3) is the gospel. I do agree that he did die for our sins but that's not the gospel. In (1Peter 4:17) says, "it is time for the judgement to begin with God's family, and if it begins with us, what about the one's who did not obey the gospel". If the gospel is only believing that Jesus died for our sins, then how do we obey that?

Just some thoughts, I hope this helps you understand what I see it takes to get salvation. Also, "he who endures to the end will be saved" (Mathew 24:13). Has anyone achieved salvation yet?
 
Active
Hey Chad,

I base my salvation on the things that Jesus commanded his followers to do. No one is perfect, we all mess up a lot. So we needed Jesus' sacrifice to cover our multitude of sins. So it is a combination of both. Let's look at it like this we are on strait path, if we are walking on the strait path and we mess up and fall off the path, then that's when Jesus' blood covers our sins. But, to walk on the path we have to follow the rules that Jesus told us to. A lot of people think what Paul spoke, "that this is the gospel I preached to you, that Jesus died for your sins" (Corinthians 15:1-3) is the gospel. I do agree that he did die for our sins but that's not the gospel. In (1Peter 4:17) says, "it is time for the judgement to begin with God's family, and if it begins with us, what about the one's who did not obey the gospel". If the gospel is only believing that Jesus died for our sins, then how do we obey that?

Just some thoughts, I hope this helps you understand what I see it takes to get salvation. Also, "he who endures to the end will be saved" (Mathew 24:13). Has anyone achieved salvation yet?
Thanks for the reply!

I agree with you that we must endure to the end to be saved - so the ultimate salvation (for lack of a better way of putting it) will be at that time when there is no chance of falling away.

I also agree that a Christian is to walk a strait and narrow path with his eyes fixed on that goal.

I would like to clarify your view - am I understanding you correctly below?

Anyone who wants to be saved must simply look at the gospels, follow Jesus' commands completely (as much as humanly possible) and in so doing, they are on their way to heaven. Jesus' blood covers them when they mess up.
 
Member
Yeah bro, that is exactly the way we see it. I
Thanks for the reply!

I agree with you that we must endure to the end to be saved - so the ultimate salvation (for lack of a better way of putting it) will be at that time when there is no chance of falling away.

I also agree that a Christian is to walk a strait and narrow path with his eyes fixed on that goal.

I would like to clarify your view - am I understanding you correctly below?

Anyone who wants to be saved must simply look at the gospels, follow Jesus' commands completely (as much as humanly possible) and in so doing, they are on their way to heaven. Jesus' blood covers them when they mess up.

Yeah bro, that is exactly the way I see it. I am sorry if this post twice, my computer went nuts for a second.
 
Active
Yeah bro, that is exactly the way we see it. I


Yeah bro, that is exactly the way I see it. I am sorry if this post twice, my computer went nuts for a second.
Ok thanks for clarifying! Might have some followup thoughts on that but here is another question I thought of, which Lily did address already somewhat, but here it is:

How do you see the Bible? Do you see it all as the Word of God and equally important (Old Testament, Gospels, The rest of the New Testament) or do you consider your self simply Christ followers who are only focused on the commands of Jesus?
 
Member
Ok thanks for clarifying! Might have some followup thoughts on that but here is another question I thought of, which Lily did address already somewhat, but here it is:

How do you see the Bible? Do you see it all as the Word of God and equally important (Old Testament, Gospels, The rest of the New Testament) or do you consider your self simply Christ followers who are only focused on the commands of Jesus?


We see the Bible as important, everything written in it. But we try to focus more so on the things that Jesus spoke since he is what we will be judged by. A question I like to ask fellow Christians is "Who do you say your savior is?" and then I'll say "If you say it's Paul, follow what Paul says, if you say it's Moses, follow what Moses says, if it's your neighbor, follow what your neighbor says." The whole Bible is important, but we are followers of Christ, so his teachings should be our Cornerstone, our focus point.

I hope this can help!
 
Member
Ok thanks for clarifying! Might have some followup thoughts on that but here is another question I thought of, which Lily did address already somewhat, but here it is:

How do you see the Bible? Do you see it all as the Word of God and equally important (Old Testament, Gospels, The rest of the New Testament) or do you consider your self simply Christ followers who are only focused on the commands of Jesus?

We see Jesus as the Word Of God (John 1:1 and Revelation 19:13). So what he says goes.
 
Active
We see Jesus as the Word Of God (John 1:1 and Revelation 19:13). So what he says goes.
Thumbs up smiley here!

Thanks a lot for being open with your views! It probably won't surprise you to hear that I don't completely agree with your views though :smile:

But first of all, what I do agree with:

Much (most?) of modern-day Christianity does not take Jesus' words literally enough and would rather expand the narrow way, and explain away some of his teachings regarding loving your enemies (war & self defense), not suing at the law, etc. (I believe that I can't take part in any of that). Also His instructions to put our focus on things above and not on things on the earth... many "Christians", it seems, have become power-hungry, money-hungry, proud people who expect the free grace of God to grant them salvation as they defend their rights and their possessions.

I admit that I have been examining my own life for a while in the light of Jesus' teachings and his instructions on what our focus should be. Discussing this with you has been fascinating and I do want to say that I admire your fervor and commitment to complete following Christ the way you see it, and it has given me something to think about in my own life - am I totally sold out to the Lord?

However what bothers me (I'm just gonna come out and say it!) is that it seems that your entire focus is on obedience and righteousness as the key to salvation. I know that the works/faith/grace balance has been a hot topic of Christians since the beginning of the church - even among Christians who are a lot closer in belief than you and I might be.

But while works are very important, I wonder if you are putting the cart before the horse and putting salvation in works, when rather we are saved by faith when we recognize we are unworthy sinners who cannot merit salvation by any good works, and this causes us to repent of our sins, come to Christ, and follow Him in obedience.

Eph 2:8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9not a result of works, so that no one may boast. 10For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

As far as being judged by following Jesus' commands at the judgement - This is a bit of a mystery to me but the way I believe is that true Christians will have good works. We will be judged by our works (the deeds we have done will either prove our salvation, or prove that we were sinners or false Christians - we will have no excuse). However this is not what saves us... even if we spent every minute doing good, without the unmerited blood of Christ covering us when we believe in Him, we will not be saved.
 
Loyal
Just so you know? There is no verse in the entire bible that say obeying commands gets you saved. You are saved by trusting in Jesus.....
Ephesians 2:7-9 King James Version (KJV)

7 That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.

8 For by the empowering presence of God, are ye saved through trust in Him; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.
 
Member
Thumbs up smiley here!

Thanks a lot for being open with your views! It probably won't surprise you to hear that I don't completely agree with your views though :smile:

But first of all, what I do agree with:

Much (most?) of modern-day Christianity does not take Jesus' words literally enough and would rather expand the narrow way, and explain away some of his teachings regarding loving your enemies (war & self defense), not suing at the law, etc. (I believe that I can't take part in any of that). Also His instructions to put our focus on things above and not on things on the earth... many "Christians", it seems, have become power-hungry, money-hungry, proud people who expect the free grace of God to grant them salvation as they defend their rights and their possessions.

I admit that I have been examining my own life for a while in the light of Jesus' teachings and his instructions on what our focus should be. Discussing this with you has been fascinating and I do want to say that I admire your fervor and commitment to complete following Christ the way you see it, and it has given me something to think about in my own life - am I totally sold out to the Lord?

However what bothers me (I'm just gonna come out and say it!) is that it seems that your entire focus is on obedience and righteousness as the key to salvation. I know that the works/faith/grace balance has been a hot topic of Christians since the beginning of the church - even among Christians who are a lot closer in belief than you and I might be.

But while works are very important, I wonder if you are putting the cart before the horse and putting salvation in works, when rather we are saved by faith when we recognize we are unworthy sinners who cannot merit salvation by any good works, and this causes us to repent of our sins, come to Christ, and follow Him in obedience.

Eph 2:8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9not a result of works, so that no one may boast. 10For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

As far as being judged by following Jesus' commands at the judgement - This is a bit of a mystery to me but the way I believe is that true Christians will have good works. We will be judged by our works (the deeds we have done will either prove our salvation, or prove that we were sinners or false Christians - we will have no excuse). However this is not what saves us... even if we spent every minute doing good, without the unmerited blood of Christ covering us when we believe in Him, we will not be saved.

Yes, I agree with the last statement very much. If we didn't have Jesus' death, it would not matter what we did, we would not have a chance for salvation. But, we do have his death, and that should make us want to do everything to show how grateful we are that he did that for us. (he did not have to do that, he laid down his life on his own will). If your best friend pushed you out from in front a car and saved your life but they died. But, they left a letter to you, (somehow knowing what was going to happen) you read it, and it asked you to do certain things everyday for the rest of your life would you do it?

Also, thank you for being responsive.
 
Loyal
Thumbs up smiley here!

Thanks a lot for being open with your views! It probably won't surprise you to hear that I don't completely agree with your views though :smile:

But first of all, what I do agree with:

Much (most?) of modern-day Christianity does not take Jesus' words literally enough and would rather expand the narrow way, and explain away some of his teachings regarding loving your enemies (war & self defense), not suing at the law, etc. (I believe that I can't take part in any of that). Also His instructions to put our focus on things above and not on things on the earth... many "Christians", it seems, have become power-hungry, money-hungry, proud people who expect the free grace of God to grant them salvation as they defend their rights and their possessions.

I admit that I have been examining my own life for a while in the light of Jesus' teachings and his instructions on what our focus should be. Discussing this with you has been fascinating and I do want to say that I admire your fervor and commitment to complete following Christ the way you see it, and it has given me something to think about in my own life - am I totally sold out to the Lord?

However what bothers me (I'm just gonna come out and say it!) is that it seems that your entire focus is on obedience and righteousness as the key to salvation. I know that the works/faith/grace balance has been a hot topic of Christians since the beginning of the church - even among Christians who are a lot closer in belief than you and I might be.

But while works are very important, I wonder if you are putting the cart before the horse and putting salvation in works, when rather we are saved by faith when we recognize we are unworthy sinners who cannot merit salvation by any good works, and this causes us to repent of our sins, come to Christ, and follow Him in obedience.

Eph 2:8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9not a result of works, so that no one may boast. 10For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

As far as being judged by following Jesus' commands at the judgement - This is a bit of a mystery to me but the way I believe is that true Christians will have good works. We will be judged by our works (the deeds we have done will either prove our salvation, or prove that we were sinners or false Christians - we will have no excuse). However this is not what saves us... even if we spent every minute doing good, without the unmerited blood of Christ covering us when we believe in Him, we will not be saved.

Ephesians 2:7-9 King James Version (KJV)

7 That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.

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.
Yes! Dead on!
 
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