Some people believe that faith alone is enough to get you into heaven. Others believe that it is good works. There is the third option. it is actually neither. Here is what the Bible has to say on the matter: James 2 14 - 26 What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, Go in peace, be warmed and filled, without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. But someone will say, You have faith and I have works. Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. ... And Mathew 19:17 And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments. So this sends a pretty clear answer. Faith and good works together is what will get you into heaven. Neither alone will. For what good is faith alone if you do not follow god's will and rules? And how will works be good if you do not believe in God?
I'd like to know what good faith is, frankly. it serves absolutely no purpose, and reeks verily of self-indulgence and vanity. consider, it's a self-generated, self-congratulatory, and self-pleasuring emotional state. why a universe creating god would encourage it, much less demand it, defies explanation. In the meantime, works are the thing that makes a difference in our world (as opposed to the lofty realms of odd gods). Your heart can be black as ink, but if you're feeding the hungry, or healing the sick, you're doing something good. And no, black hearts do not obviate good works. Some of us force ourselves to do these thing with reluctance and resentment. It's only while or after we do them we're relieved of the blackness - further evidence of the importance of works.
I would very much like to have an objective and unbiased disussion of this please. I know how hostile you are towards christians and how you have to bash them at every turn especially in my threads. but please. let's not do this. i really want to see a real discussion over this please.
Many who call themselves christians has faith. But Faith without works is dead, as Jehovah God word shows ,(James 2:17). sadly though MANY are taught that works are the kindness men show towards each other when one needs help. True!, Jehovah's words does speak of helping other and the price one would pay if he didn't when he could have ,(Pro. 21:13 Whoso stoppeth his ears at the cry of the poor, he also shall cry himself, but shall not be heard). But when those MANY men of Jehovah God ,especially Jesus speak of works. They're referring to the most important work. It's the work of teaching about Jehovah God future kingdom. Jesus showed he was sent NOT only to die for us, but to teach of his Father's kingdom ,(Luke 4:43 And he said unto them, I must preach the kingdom of God to other cities also: for therefore am I sent). Jesus also said here at ,(John 4:34 , “Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work”. What works was he referring to when he said “to finish”? Well was he sent to feed the poor literal food, or clothes the naked ,literally? Though he could if he wanted to. his actual works were to teach NOT only about his Father's Heavenly kingdom. But the earthly one in which he ,(Jesus), and 144,000 other would soon righteously govern over earth, (Rev. 5:10), remove ANY man made governments ,(Dan. 2:44). This is what he meant concerning works. MANY aren't taught by their ministers, the understanding of Jesus words. It's because MANY of them don't have true knowledge to do find works themselves. Jesus even said we should pray for this kingdom to come ,(Matt. 6:10 Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven). MANY say this prayer, NOT being taught the true meaning of it. They believe it was just a prayer to be said. Jesus also told his followers to continue doing this work until the end ,(Matt. 28:19,20) here, (Mark 16:15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature). And here, (John 20:21 Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you). Paul also showed and taught this is what true christians should do ,(1Cor. 15:58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord). So the most important work is teachings of Jehovah God and his kingdom as Jesus and many others have done. But just teaching about God's kingdom isn't going to save us either. Just like faith alone is dead, so is teaching God's kingdom alone for some is dead. Meaning we can teach or we can have faith. But if we're living a foul life, it'll mean nothing for us. Remember the ONLY people who lived through the flood was Noah and his family. There were MANY people who were good and helped other. Some even believed in Noah's God Jehovah. But they refuse to do Jehovah's WILL as Jesus said he did ,(John 5:30 I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me). And as he said we should do ,(Matt. 7:21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven). the MANY who claim Jesus, doesn't mean they will see heaven. So obeying Jehovah God, doing spiritual works as Jesus taught us to do. And showing charity towards others. Can give us a chance to eternal life. peace
