Faith alone? Really?

[fpesce]

For us to think that our merits or good deeds are acts of perfect love is absurd. Most people will have nothing to rely upon when that day of judgement arrives. Yes, your good deeds will have merit before God but that is something that comes to us through our faith and trust in Him. For example, the good thief, who was crucified with Christ, is in paradise–Jesus says so because His mercy extened to him and he had trust in Jesus. How many good deeds could he have done before he was crucified? We also hear of the merits of the saints and Saint Therese tells us that some of the great saints with many good deeds come before the judgement of God. She says that “it is better to give away your merits of good deeds and come before God empty-handed.” Why? For God knows your goods well before you succeed in doing them and they are His anyway because He gave you the ability and means to do them. This tells us that most people will have very few if any to offer to God after they die. As Saint Therese says,“I beg you to cast Your Devine Glance upon a great number of little souls.”. Why? They do not have the means or the education or the ability to do great deeds. For many will be saved at the hour of their death because “what pleases Him (God) is that He sees me loving my littleness and my poverty, the blind hope that I have in His mercy.”

So, do we do good deeds if we have the chance? Of course! Is it something that we should be overly concerned with? No! For if we trust in Jesus, “the grace of God’s merciful love for the moment of our death”, will be given to us to merit Heaven.

What a pleasure it is to read those words. Thank You

 

[PRmerger]

Then what are the “works”?

John 6:29 Jesus answered and said to them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He has sent.”

Amen!

However, you will notice that this does not state that this ALONE is the work of God.

Incidentally, it says it’s a work of GOD. Therefore, is it not a work that is done by GOD and not by man?

What verses detail the work of MEN, and what it is that is done by MEN that the Scriptures limn?

 

[fpesce]

Amen!

However, you will notice that this does not state that this ALONE is the work of God.

Incidentally, it says it’s a work of GOD. Therefore, is it not a work that is done by GOD and not by man?

What verses detail the work of MEN, and what it is that is done by MEN that the Scriptures limn?

Maybe you should read the passage before starting from John 6:27-29

27“Do not work for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give to you, for on Him the Father, God, has set His seal.” 28Therefore they said to Him, “What shall we do, so that we may work the works of God?” 29Jesus answered and said to them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He has sent.”

This would give the passage more clarity.

 

[PRmerger]

Maybe you should read the passage before starting from John 6:27-29

27“Do not work for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give to you, for on Him the Father, God, has set His seal.” 28Therefore they said to Him, “What shall we do, so that we may work the works of God?” 29Jesus answered and said to them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He has sent.”

This would give the passage more clarity.

Ah, very good, then.

And yet it still doesn’t say this ALONE is the work of God (work of men).

 

[fpesce]

Ah, very good, then.

And yet it still doesn’t say this ALONE is the work of God (work of men).

John 6:27-29
27“Do not work for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give to you, for on Him the Father, God, has set His seal.” 28Therefore they said to Him, “What shall we do, so that we may work the works of God?” 29Jesus answered and said to them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He has sent.”
35Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; he who comes to Me will not hunger, and he who believes in Me will never thirst. 36“But I said to you that you have seen Me, and yet do not believe. 37“All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will certainly not cast out. 38“For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me. 39“This is the will of Him who sent Me, that of all that He has given Me I lose nothing, but raise it up on the last day. 40“For this is the will of My Father, that everyone **who beholds the Son and believes in Him **will have eternal life, and I Myself will raise him up on the last day

I think if you keep reading, see above, the answer is clear.

 

[Justmyself777]

GREAT POST! Will use this as reference.

Godbless

 

[CatholicKnight3]

Maybe you should read the passage before starting from John 6:27-29

27“Do not work for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give to you, for on Him the Father, God, has set His seal.” 28Therefore they said to Him, “What shall we do, so that we may work the works of God?” 29Jesus answered and said to them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He has sent.”

This would give the passage more clarity.

This is all true. However, it does not mean that Christ will be obligated in any way to judge according to our interpretations.

Again, He said blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy. He also said not all of those who say Lord Lord will enter into the kingdom, but only those who the Father’s will. He uses the pattern of the Good Samaritan and his actions (acts of kindness and mercy) as an example of what heaven gives credit. He says he will separate the goats from the sheep, and he will say to the sheep, enter into the kingdom that has been prepared for you. For when I was hungry you fed ME…

And the true righteous will ask, “When did we ever feed YOU?” Then He will reply, “Each time you did any of these things to the least of MY brethren, you did it unto ME.”

It also says in Romans ch9 that the Lord will choose whomever he chooses. He will show mercy on whomever He shows mercy to.

So, when Billy Graham says to Larry King, that Christ will separate all of that out and he does not judge the Hindus etc etc, he is saying the right thing. However, he was condemned mercilessly by protestant ministers. Saying because he said that that he will be going to the hottest places in hell. Do not let me get started on the Westboro people. Who btw reportedly picketed one of the Boston bombing victims funeral.

They all go by the bible and their own interpretations. Anyway, I believe when he become believers we should grow in faith in the Catholic Church. Mainly because of the sacraments and the graces found in these gifts for us from Christ Himself.

But, at the end of the day, we do not have the last word. The measure by which we judge others will be the measure by which we judge. Jesus will not be pigeon holed to judge according to the way we interpret or the way we think He should. Thats for sure.

 

[CatholicKnight3]

Oops. duplicate post. If this can be deleted. Thanks.

 

[stewstew03]

John 6:27-29
27“Do not work for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give to you, for on Him the Father, God, has set His seal.” 28Therefore they said to Him, “What shall we do, so that we may work the works of God?” 29Jesus answered and said to them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He has sent.”
35Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; he who comes to Me will not hunger, and he who believes in Me will never thirst. 36“But I said to you that you have seen Me, and yet do not believe. 37“All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will certainly not cast out. 38“For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me. 39“This is the will of Him who sent Me, that of all that He has given Me I lose nothing, but raise it up on the last day. 40“For this is the will of My Father, that everyone **who beholds the Son and believes in Him **will have eternal life, and I Myself will raise him up on the last day

I think if you keep reading, see above, the answer is clear.

[BIBLEDRB]James 2:19[/BIBLEDRB]

 

[KnowingOurLady]

A few other bible verses about faith and deeds are as follows:

John 20:11-18

Mary Magdalene went to the tomb to anoint the body of Christ–Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you looking for?”. “Stop holding on to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father”.

In this passage, Jesus says do not hold on to me because you did not get it; that is, having faith in the resurrection means that your so-called good deed does not lead to perfect faith. The deed she was going to do means nothing because she did not have faith in the resurrection of Jesus. She was reproached for not having perfect faith. “You cannot hold me with bodily embraces because in your forgetfulness you do not hold on to my Resurrection.”. Therefore, "Whoever wishes to touch the Savior must first , by faith, believe in Him.–He is risen!

Luke 24:35-48

How could we ever believe or have faith if we do not take the time to make it happen.

John 20:19-31

I believe because I have seen, “Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed.”. Having faith means that we are not a doubting Thomas.

1Peter 5:5b-14

The Devil is prowling around… Resist him, steadfast in faith… Note: it says nothing about doing good deed to defeat theb Devil.

Those who have come into genuine contact with Christ cannot keep Him for themselves, they must proclaim Him–Pope John Paul II.

 

[Isaiah45_9]

I think it is futile to attempt and take the action required in the use of verbs…

Believe, Pray, Love, Forgive…

 

[PRmerger]

John 6:27-29
27“Do not work for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give to you, for on Him the Father, God, has set His seal.” 28Therefore they said to Him, “What shall we do, so that we may work the works of God?” 29Jesus answered and said to them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He has sent.”
35Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; he who comes to Me will not hunger, and he who believes in Me will never thirst. 36“But I said to you that you have seen Me, and yet do not believe. 37“All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will certainly not cast out. 38“For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me. 39“This is the will of Him who sent Me, that of all that He has given Me I lose nothing, but raise it up on the last day. 40“For this is the will of My Father, that everyone **who beholds the Son and believes in Him **will have eternal life, and I Myself will raise him up on the last day

I think if you keep reading, see above, the answer is clear.

LOL!

If I keep reading the answer is clear?

I could cite the above and use it as apologia for, say, purgatory*, and say, “fpsece, I think you you keep reading the above you will see quite clearly where purgatory is there.”

fill in the blank for a doctrine du jour.*

Suffice it to say that I did not see the word “alone” or “only” or “sole” in the above passage to justify your claim that belief ALONE is the work of God (or of men).

Rather, I do see Scripture proclaimingl that even the demons believe.

 

[fpesce]

LOL!

If I keep reading the answer is clear?

I could cite the above and use it as apologia for, say, purgatory*, and say, “fpsece, I think you you keep reading the above you will see quite clearly where purgatory is there.”

fill in the blank for a doctrine du jour.*

Suffice it to say that I did not see the word “alone” or “only” or “sole” in the above passage to justify your claim that belief ALONE is the work of God (or of men).

Rather, I do see Scripture proclaimingl that even the demons believe.

How many times does Jesus have to same the same thing over and over again for us?
Here are just a few and I only quoted from John, we could venture into other books also but this should be enough.

John 3

14“Just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the desert, so must the Son of Man be lifted up; 15 that all who believe may have eternal life in Him.
16“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.
17“For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him. 18“He who believes in Him is not judged; he who does not believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God

John 3:36

Whoever believes in the Son has life eternal.**

John 6**

35Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; he who comes to Me will not hunger, and he who believes in Me will never thirst. 36“But I said to you that you have seen Me, and yet do not believe. 37“All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will certainly not cast out. 38“For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me. 39“This is the will of Him who sent Me, that of all that He has given Me I lose nothing, but raise it up on the last day. 40“For this is the will of My Father, that everyone who beholds the Son and believes in Him will have eternal life, and I Myself will raise him up on the last day.”

John 6

47“Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes has eternal life. 48“I am the bread of life.

John 8

24“Therefore I said to you that you will die in your sins; for unless you believe that I am He, you will die in your sins.” 31So Jesus was saying to those Jews who had believed Him, “If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; 32and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.”

John 11

25Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me will live even if he dies, 26and everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die

 

[Isaiah45_9]

How many times does Jesus have to same the same thing over and over again for us?

That’s what the Catholic Church has been saying for abou 2,000 years…

What do you think it means to believe in Jesus?

 

[PRmerger]

How many times does Jesus have to same the same thing over and over again for us?
Here are just a few and I only quoted from John, we could venture into other books also but this should be enough.

John 3

14“Just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the desert, so must the Son of Man be lifted up; 15 that all who believe may have eternal life in Him.
16“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.
17“For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him. 18“He who believes in Him is not judged; he who does not believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God

John 3:36

Whoever believes in the Son has life eternal.**

John 6**

35Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; he who comes to Me will not hunger, and he who believes in Me will never thirst. 36“But I said to you that you have seen Me, and yet do not believe. 37“All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will certainly not cast out. 38“For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me. 39“This is the will of Him who sent Me, that of all that He has given Me I lose nothing, but raise it up on the last day. 40“For this is the will of My Father, that everyone who beholds the Son and believes in Him will have eternal life, and I Myself will raise him up on the last day.”

John 6

47“Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes has eternal life. 48“I am the bread of life.

John 8

24“Therefore I said to you that you will die in your sins; for unless you believe that I am He, you will die in your sins.” 31So Jesus was saying to those Jews who had believed Him, “If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; 32and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.”

John 11

25Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me will live even if he dies, 26and everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die

Amen!

However, the point in question is this: is belief ALONE required?

You can search the Scriptures in its entirety, from Genesis to Revelation, and you’ll never find that man-made tradition, fpesce.

Belief ALONE is not a Biblical belief.

 

[stewstew03]

How many times does Jesus have to same the same thing over and over again for us?

Exactly. I mean…

James 2:14-26 - your works matter.
Matt 19:16-17 - your works matter.
Matt 7:21 - your works matter.
Mark 8:35 - your works matter.
John 14:15 - your works matter.
John 14:21 - your works matter.
Eph 2:8-10 - your works matter.
1 Cor 13:2 - your works matter.
Rom 2:5-8 - your works matter.
2 Cor 5:10 - your works matter.
2 Cor 11:15 - your works matter.
1 Pet 1:17 - your works matter.
Col 3:24-25 - your works matter.
Rev 20:12-13 - your works matter.

SO

Matt 10:22 - persevere to the end.
Matt 24:13 - persevere to the end.
Rom 2:2-8 - persevere to the end.
Phil 2:12-13 - persevere to the end.

BECAUSE

Matt 7:21 - God is not obligated to save you just because you said you believe.
Matt 24:13 - God is not obligated to save you just because you said you believe.
Rom 11:22 - God is not obligated to save you just because you said you believe.
Phil 2:12 - God is not obligated to save you just because you said you believe.
1 Cor 9:27 - God is not obligated to save you just because you said you believe.
1 Cor 10:11-12 - God is not obligated to save you just because you said you believe.
Gal 5:4 - God is not obligated to save you just because you said you believe.
2 Tim 2:11-13 - God is not obligated to save you just because you said you believe.
Heb 6:4-6 - God is not obligated to save you just because you said you believe.
Heb 10:26-27 - God is not obligated to save you just because you said you believe.

.

 

[fpesce]

Amen!

However, the point in question is this: is belief ALONE required?

You can search the Scriptures in its entirety, from Genesis to Revelation, and you’ll never find that man-made tradition, fpesce.

Belief ALONE is not a Biblical belief.

Please refer to my previous post. See below:

Understanding does not bring salvation. Only believing and being baptized brings salvation.

Mark 1:15

And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. 16“He who has believed and has been baptized shall be saved; but he who has disbelieved shall be condemned. 17“These signs will accompany those who have believed: in My name they will cast out demons, they will speak with new tongues; 18they will pick up serpents, and if they drink any deadly poison, it will not hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.”

 

[PRmerger]

Understanding does not bring salvation.

Indeed. This is very Catholic of you to say, fpesce!

Only believing and being baptized brings salvation.

And yet the Scriptures say otherwise, do they not?

Mark 1:15

And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. 16“He who has believed and has been baptized shall be saved; but he who has disbelieved shall be condemned. 17“These signs will accompany those who have believed: in My name they will cast out demons, they will speak with new tongues; 18they will pick up serpents, and if they drink any deadly poison, it will not hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.”

Amen!

 

[Peter_J]

LOL!

If I keep reading the answer is clear?

I could cite the above and use it as apologia for, say, purgatory*, and say, “fpsece, I think you you keep reading the above you will see quite clearly where purgatory is there.”

You definitely could. Question is, would you?

 

[PRmerger]

You definitely could. Question is, would you?

Indeed, I would. See the comment in the asterisk I made.