Why salvation is by faith and deeds.

Image via WikipediaPaul and James or any of the apostles are simply teaching us what Jesus has taught them. Let’s take a look now at what the teachings are about:

In MT 22:34-40, Jesus clearly sum up the commandments for us into 2. That is to love God and to love our neighbour.

In MT 25 31:46, Jesus tells us what are the criteria of entering into Heaven. The criteria such as feeding, clothing visitations are all deeds of love, compassion and charity. If one has shown such deeds to one’s neighbour, one has shown love to God. Thus both the commandments are fulfilled.

In MT 7:21-27 , Jesus also warned us that not all who call “Lord…Lord…” will enter into Heaven. It is not lips service that He wants. He said a true disciple are those who hear the words and act on it. Not those who hear but do nothing.

In the story of the good thief, one can see clearly that the thief was saved by faith and deeds. While in the midst of his own misery, he not only said that he believed that Jesus is the Son of God, he showed his beliefs by standing up (read…good deed) for Jesus when the other thief mock Jesus. Is he saved by faith alone with no deeds?

So what does Paul teaches us? Paul teaches us that faith is very important as his letters are addressed to newly converts, he stress the importance of having Christ. Without Christ, no salvation is possible. No matter how hard one works, he has no salvation unless he has Christ.

Never did Paul said faith alone will save. Neither did he ever said works is not needed.

Does Paul thinks that he is saved already? Is he working towards it?
Reading RN 8:18-25, Philippians 2:12-18 and 3:8-15 may give us some clues.

Is James contradicting Paul?

Of course not, unless you mistaken what Paul is saying in the first place. Why James said what he did in chapter 2 is to remind Christians that they need to have deeds or their faith is useless. It is also to address those who have misunderstood Paul. God is not looking for lips service.

James made it very clear and simple that faith alone does not save. Why? Because without deeds, faith is useless and such faith cannot save. Only by deeds can one show one’s faith and only such faith can lead to salvation.

As to questions of what is deeds, I think we can safely refer back to the words we hear from Jesus - that is, the 2 most important commandment (which will lead us to salvation).

As to questions of how many deeds is required, it’s an irrelevant question.
The importance really is on “effect of the Law engraved on their hearts”. It is about making the act of loving, compassion and charity a part of our Christian life – not by words alone, but by living it out (read…doing, deeds, act on it) from your heart.

Love your neighbour?

Jesus taught us that the most important commandment is to love God and to love our neighbour.

In the parable of the last judgement, we can conclude that to have shown love to your neighbour, you have shown love to God.

Does it takes any faith to lead you to good deeds? Certainly not!

Read the touching story of Mdm Fion Phua HERE

Ave Maria by Sarah Brightman

Ave Maria by Pavarotti

Hear the late Pavarotti sing this beautiful Ave Maria...

Believers Are Doers, Not Hearers

Below is the reflections on the bulletins of CORC....

As believers, we place great importance in God’s Word and keep His commandments close to our hearts. In our faith, we speak often to God in words, which come from deep within our souls.

However, our words amount to nothing if we do not live by them or if we do not follow God’s will in our daily living. It is easy to profess what we believe in, yet our actions are not always in line with our profession.

We are called to remain devoted and faithful to God’s Word in our lives. The Last Judgment account in Matthew 25 reminds us that it is our actual deeds of love that matter, not mere words.

Through our deeds, then we are a light to the world and messengers of Christ. We may not know that the people we know may be looking at us for some guidance or direction as they know that we are Christians.

Hence, in Christian communities, believers are doers, not hearers. Let each one of us make his or her life a wonderful gift to our Almighty Father.

Live our Christians Life

The article below is found in the weekly bulletin from the Church Of Risen Christ:

As believers, we place great importance in God’s Word and keep His commandments close to our hearts. In our faith, we speak often to God in words, which come from deep
within our souls. However, our words amount to nothing if we do not live by them or if we do not follow God’s will in our daily living. It is easy to profess what we believe in, yet our actions are not always in line with our profession. We are called to remain devoted and faithful to God’s Word in our lives. The Last Judgment account in Matthew 25 reminds us that it is our actual deeds of love that matter, not mere words. Through our deeds, then we are a light to the world and messengers of Christ. We may not know that the people we know may be looking at us for some guidance or direction as they know that we are Christians. Hence, in Christian communities, believers are doers, not hearers. Let each one of us make his or her life a wonderful gift to our Almighty Father.