A question on John 3:6 & Works

[SyCarl]

I guess I am looking for a more direct answer. The question I was trying to ask you is “If I have faith, and do absolutely nothing else, is salvation assured”? this is really a yes or no question, please do not try to skirt the questions with commentary and personal beliefs. Thanks.

It is really no more a yes or no question than to ask a Catholic “Is an unbaptized infant damned?”

Can a person have faith and no works and have salvation? I would say yes. Is it usual that this would be the situation? No. If one does not have works then it is unlikely that person has a saving faith. One cannot have assurance of salvation until they have persisted in faith to the end.

 

[wmscott]

It is really no more a yes or no question than to ask a Catholic “Is an unbaptized infant damned?”

Can a person have faith and no works and have salvation? I would say yes. Is it usual that this would be the situation? No. If one does not have works then it is unlikely that person has a saving faith. One cannot have assurance of salvation until they have persisted in faith to the end.

Thanks for the answer. So can we go further and let me ask this question, if a person lives in the middle of nowhere and has never been exposed to the Gospels. This person has no Christian faith. However, this person is a just man and is merciful and charitable. What is his destiny?

 

[SyCarl]

Thanks for the answer. So can we go further and let me ask this question, if a person lives in the middle of nowhere and has never been exposed to the Gospels. This person has no Christian faith. However, this person is a just man and is merciful and charitable. What is his destiny?

I do not know. All we can do is trust God because we know He will do what is just and right.

 

[wmscott]

I do not know. All we can do is trust God because we know He will do what is just and right.

Thanks, I feel that this is a good answer. I would expand on this and say that because the individual living in the middle of nowhere, having never been exposed to the Gospels, has Christian faith, and is a just, merciful, and charitable, has a place in Heaven. this person is one of Gods creations also, I do not think that He would damn one of His own creations. Just my opinion.

 

[WASP]

Thanks for the answer. So can we go further and let me ask this question, if a person lives in the middle of nowhere and has never been exposed to the Gospels. This person has no Christian faith. However, this person is a just man and is merciful and charitable. What is his destiny?

From the book of Romans alone, we can say that this person is destined for hell. Consider the following passages:

Romans 1:18-20: “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. 19 For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. 20 For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse.”

Romans 3:10-12: "“None is righteous, no, not one; no one understands; no one seeks for God. All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one.”

Romans 10:13-14: “For ‘everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.’ How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching?”

I do believe that there are degrees of punishment. Luke 12:48 implies this: “But the one who did not know, and did what deserved a beating, will receive a light beating. Everyone to whom much was given, of him much will be required, and from him to whom they entrusted much, they will demand the more.” I believe that an unbelieving person will be punished in accordance with the knowledge they have.

The doctrine of election–which would belong in another thread–would also factor in here. If God has chosen one for salvation, God will ensure that he will receive the message of the Gospel since “faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ” (Romans 10:17). One Scriptural case study is found in Acts 10, the story of Cornelius the Roman Centurion. God sent Peter to share the Gospel with him.

 

[wmscott]

From the book of Romans alone, we can say that this person is destined for hell. Consider the following passages:

Romans 1:18-20: “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. 19 For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. 20 For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse.”

Romans 3:10-12: "“None is righteous, no, not one; no one understands; no one seeks for God. All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one.”

Romans 10:13-14: “For ‘everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.’ How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching?”

I do believe that there are degrees of punishment. Luke 12:48 implies this: “But the one who did not know, and did what deserved a beating, will receive a light beating. Everyone to whom much was given, of him much will be required, and from him to whom they entrusted much, they will demand the more.” I believe that an unbelieving person will be punished in accordance with the knowledge they have.

The doctrine of election–which would belong in another thread–would also factor in here. If God has chosen one for salvation, God will ensure that he will receive the message of the Gospel since “faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ” (Romans 10:17). One Scriptural case study is found in Acts 10, the story of Cornelius the Roman Centurion. God sent Peter to share the Gospel with him.

You state “. If God has chosen one for salvation, God will ensure that he will receive the message of the Gospel” So you fell and are saying that a just, merciful, and charitable person who lives in the middle of Mongolia, and has never been exposed to Christianity is damned. This seems a little arrogant and judgmental from a Christian standpoint. This type of statement is assuming that we know Gods mind and will. As I stated before this person is one of Gods precious creations, also, I do not think that He would damn one of His own creations.