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.
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13 comments:
Oh God... Born Loser Lim Kopi... If you are even confident that salvation is by faith and deeds, then you do not even need to re-post that on your blog after your views are repeatedly debunked by the TRUE Christians in singaporechristiansonline.com
People like you are indeed idiots. Lord Jesus Christ saves us by grace and grace alone only! You can go eat your own puke and die fool and moron.
Looks like Lim Kopi is dead. Kudos to Jesus Christ for killing immature, stupid asses like him! Catholicism is indeed illogical. FUCK.
HAHAHAHAHAHA! Cowardly Lim Kopi.
Where are you at Singapore Christians Online forums? Dead? Knocked down by a car? Anally raped by a Catholic priest or what?
Wow... I'm amazed that you have a blog! Where have you gone after a long period of not posting at the Singapore Christians Online forums? Gave up and conclude that you are a gullible moron duped by your Catholic church?
Hey Bro, there is nothing wrong with your posting.
testingblog is simply anti-Christ and only such people will puke at Words of God.
Ignore such self proclaimed true christians who are acting otherwise. They proved by their words and actions that their teachings are WRONG!
Mr. JC, i think you are another moron who thinks Catholicism is the real Christian faith. It is not, it is a belief influenced by Satan, Master of this World to continue to confuse people to hold on to evil, nonbiblical beliefs.
testingblog, I think you have proved and is still proving by your words and actions that you are anti-Christ.
Tell me that your god is teaching you to curse, swear and calling others names.
Reach out to the Bible and quote me the verse that teaches or asking you to do so - if you cannot, you are NOT under influence and teaching of Christ.
You are anti-Christ! Or in your own words, under influence of evil / Satan.
I'm not even swearing. There is nothing wrong for Christians to use so-called swear words on non-Christians. Catholics are an example. In Psalms, Atheists are referred to as fools. Paul counted his past life nothing but rubbish - In actual context it is a vulgar word to denote "uselessness".
To use these words on fellow Christians would however be wrong. I'm not using that, thus I will continue to denounce Lim Kopi's insane attempts to reconcile the Catholics with Christians.
You are just anti-Christ - vulgar words are vulgar words however you look at it.
When did Jesus said there is a difference between Christians and non-Christians?
Your words and actions is that of anti-Christ. You can NEVER justified such actions.
Just because you think Catholics are not Christians does not mean it is so.....Catholics are well respected Christians worldwide. And that's a fact regardless if you can come to terms with it or not. It dosen't matter.
Any denominations or anyone who worship Jesus are Christians.
But as Mr Lim rightly pointed out, not all who call Jesus "Lord" will go to Heaven. Only true disciple who follow Jesus's teachings.
Tell me where and when have Jesus curse, swear, use vulgar words on anyone ?
NEVER - Not even to His enemy, not even to those who nail Him on the cross......WHO ARE YOU?
Show this to your pastor and tell me if he can agree with what you said.
I can only pray for you....and you do owe - not just Mr Lim, not just all Catholics, not just all Christians but anyone who chance upon reading this an apology for your very bad behaviour.
You put Christians and Christianity to shame..... Try harder boy and read your Bible - before that stop telling people you are Christians because you are a shame!
Special verse for you:
Book of 1 Corinthians - Chapter 13
13 As it is, these remain: faith, hope and love, the three of them; and the greatest of them is love.
"You are just anti-Christ - vulgar words are vulgar words however you look at it. "
The Bible says that we are different from that of non-Christians. And you people are no different from fags.
"Just because you think Catholics are not Christians does not mean it is so.....Catholics are well respected Christians worldwide. And that's a fact regardless if you can come to terms with it or not. It dosen't matter.
Any denominations or anyone who worship Jesus are Christians."
Wow even a false Jesus? You Catholics and Jehovah Witnesses teaches that we can be saved by our deeds. Anyone who worships Jesus Christ? Why not you just rename Hugh Hefner as Christ and worship him? Because that is what you people are exactly doing.
If they are well-respected, they wouldn't shut themselves in a closet and continue maintaining that their god has to be the real one. Unlike us who go out and do aggressive expansion to curb the spread of satanism onto our lands.
"Wow even a false Jesus?" So now we know you are worshipping a false jesus. Now we understand why ALL your words and actions are anti-Christ.
"Unlike us who go out and do aggressive expansion to curb the spread of satanism onto our lands"
If you have no Christ in you, you cannot bring Christ to others.
You are spreading satanism like wild fire and your words and actions speaks volume for it.
Thanks God for the Catholics and many other Christians sects are doing their part in reaching out, teaching and converting thousands of people to the true spirit of being a Christians.
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