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mikeledes
Guest
Can you reconcle fruitless genuine Christians (John 15:2, 2 Peter 1:8-9) with your view of James 2?
God Bless,
Michael
- Status
God Bless,
Michael
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guanophore
Guest
[/indent]Does that mean Moses baptized all of the children of Israel while they were in flight from the Pharaoh? Obviously not, their baptism into Moses indicates their oneness, their relationship, their solidarity with Moses as their deliverer sent from God (a type of Christ).
Notice as well that the people ”passed through the sea.”
Do you think this is the use of “immersion” in this passage?
By which he means that being immersed in the water is not for the purpose of removing dirt from the flesh, but a cleansing of the conscience - washing away of sins.
The Apostles did not separate the action of the HS from the physical immersion in water. They did not separate the HS from the water from the day Jesus joined the HS to the waters of baptism when He entered them.
It is very Catholic of you to say this!
Water does not save. Baptism is the action by which we become washed in the Blood, which is what saves. We are joined to Him in baptism to His death, then coming out of the water, to His resurrection.Catholics recognize the many uses of the word baptism. However, Peter, along with the other Apostles, and their successors, the Bishops, hever separated the HS from water baptism.
The two are not separated from one another.
Acts 22:13-16
Brother Saul, receive your sight.’ And in that very hour I received my sight and saw him. 14 And he said, ‘The God of our fathers appointed you to know his will, to see the Just One and to hear a voice from his mouth; 15 for you will be a witness for him to all men of what you have seen and heard. 16 And now why do you wait? Rise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on his name.’
Entering the water of baptism is an act of repentance and commitment. When one does so, one calls upon the Name of the Lord. This brings about the washing away of sins. The Apostles do not separate them. This is why Peter insisted that Cornelius and his household, having called upon His name, should not be refused water baptism. They are to go together.
I have been pondering something I read here. Many consider Baptism to be an “ordinance”, as opposed to a commandment. What is the difference?
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guanophore
Guest
God loved us so much that He created us with the ability to reject Him, so that we could choose to have fellowship with Him, or not. We are created in the image and likeness of God. This means we have the ability to decide if we wish to be in right relationship with HIm, or not.
Deut 30:19-20
19 I call heaven and earth to witness against you this day, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse; therefore choose life, that you and your descendants may live, 20 loving the LORD your God, obeying his voice, and cleaving to him; for that means life to you and length of days, that you may dwell in the land which the LORD swore to your fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give them."
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mikeledes
Guest
I reaffirm what I stated in the above post.While they’re at it, perhaps they can also respond to the following questions I have made myself:
James 2:5
- How do they reconcile fruitless genuine Christians (John 15:2, 2 Peter 1:8-9) with their view of James 2?
- If “wither” in John 15:6 refers to the loss of vital power to produce fruit and this vital power is identified with life (“Life is the power in the Vine”), how is loss of power not a loss of life?
- If these branches experience a loss of power to bear fruit, does that not mean they also experience a loss of power to resist sin and progress in that sanctification without which no one will see the Lord? Which means they end up living a sinful lifestyle, since there are no vacuums in the spiritual realm?
- I have a new question. If salvation from beginning to end is through faith alone…
5Listen, my beloved brethren: did not God choose the poor of this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which He promised to those who love Him?
John 14:23
23Jesus answered and said to him, "If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word…
John 8:51
51"Truly, truly, I say to you, if anyone keeps My word he will never see death."
1 Corinthians 7:9
9but just as it is written,
"THINGS WHICH EYE HAS NOT SEEN AND EAR HAS NOT HEARD,
AND which HAVE NOT ENTERED THE HEART OF MAN,
ALL THAT GOD HAS PREPARED FOR THOSE WHO LOVE HIM."
… then what’s love got to do with it, got to do with it?
God Bless,
Michael
I shoud copyright that statement. 
God Bless,
Michael
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moondweller
Guest
You have no assurance at all, Pax. You have no idea if you’ll “be saved” at the end of your life because according to your theology you’re “being saved” daily based on the quality of your “love” for God as demonstrated by your works.
For you Catholics (and BRB), Jesus did His part, now you must do yours. But you can have no assurance that you’re doing, or have done, your part, Pax. You don’t even know if you’re deceiving yourself.
You don’t know in the end if you’ve “covered all the bases.” Not even those whom you’ve set up as your “umpires” (Popes, Priest & Prelates) can help you there. They have no assurance themselves (they’re being judged by the same performance law - only stricter).
Yours is the “hope so” World Series. You’ve yet to find out who wins and can only hope it’s you. It’s all based on your performance, and you’re not done playing the game.
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guanophore
Guest
It is very Catholic of you to say that!I believe that they are (Eph 2:10), even our vocations. In fact, I believe that everything is a gift from God (Jas 1:17, 18). My life even to each individual breath (Acts 17:25, 28) is taken because He wills that I take it. When He stops willing my breath, I will cease to breath, and physically die. He is a Great God.
There is nothing I have (good or bad) that I haven’t ***received from Him—***Nothing (Jn 3:27; 1 Cor 4:7; Jas 1:2ff).
And, I don’t believe that my works save me, or anyone else, and I’m thankful for that, because I know that my “good works” are so imperfect.
The Catholic Church teaches that our good works flow from the saving grace by which we are saved, through faith. They both come from the same source, and the basis of them is God’s grace.
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guanophore
Guest
This is an inaccurate statement, moondweller. Romans 8:16 was written by a Catholic, to Catholics. Catholics most certainly have a birthright to this experience. That Catholic Apostle who wrote it also gave us advice about how to have a more mature attitude also:
" Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect; but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. 13 Brethren, I do not consider that I have made it my own; but one thing I do, forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. 15 Let those of us who are mature be thus minded; and if in anything you are otherwise minded, God will reveal that also to you. 16 Only let us hold true to what we have attained." Phil 3:12-16
Along with that blessed assurance, we are taught not to be presumptuous, recognizing that we are in process, and have not yet reached the goal. Why do you suppose that Paul considered this a “mature” attitude?
This is basically a false witness. It is sad to see you write this here. However, I think it must be essential for you to cling to a lie, so that you can cling to your own doctrines.
For the record, and those who are lurking and may read this deceit into which you have fallen, I will say agin that Christ’s redemptive wrok is the Source of all grace and goodness.
Eph 2:8-10
“For by grace you have been saved through faith; and this is not your own doing, it is the gift of God - 9 not because of works, lest any man should boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.”
The grace that saves us is the same grace that produces the good works in us. The works that God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them are not to be separated from the grace that saves us through faith. But works are not the basis of our salvation. We cannot be saved by them, yet we cannot be saved without them. The mark of a saved person are the works that befit repentance, and the two cannot be separated.
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guanophore
Guest
Why should Catholics not be party to the same assurance that you have? How can you disqualify another Christian from the very great and precious promises of our Lord. How did you get so angry toward Catholicism?
The condition of “being saved” -Christ be formed in (Gal 4:19) us is not “based” on the quality of our love as demonstrated by our good works. Christ is formed in us by grace, through faith. Our works flow from that basis. I think you are willfully misconstruing this soteriology because you have some personal need to keep the Catholic Church wrong in your mind. Anyway I know this has been explained to you, and you cannot even accept that this is what the Church teaches. The quality of our good works is faith, working through love. Nothing that is based anywhere but grace avails anything.
This is somewhat disingenuous. Yes, there is an aspect of salvation that is finished work. But Jesus is not finished with us. Just as was referenced in the above scripture, He is making us into His image and likeness daily.
2 Cor 3:18
18 And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being changed into his likeness from one degree of glory to another; for this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.
Scripture is clear that the transformation we undergo (being saved) comes from God, not from our selves. It is our part to behold Him with unveiled face. Sin places a veil between us and God. In order to be transformed into His likeness, we must remain in a state of grace.
Where does all this negativity come from moon?
1 Peter 1:13-21
13 Therefore gird up your minds, be sober, set your hope fully upon the grace that is coming to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 14 As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, 15 but as he who called you is holy, be holy yourselves in all your conduct; 16 since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.” 17 And if you invoke as Father him who judges each one impartially according to his deeds, conduct yourselves with fear throughout the time of your exile. 18 You know that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your fathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, 19 but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot. 20 He was destined before the foundation of the world but was made manifest at the end of the times for your sake. 21 Through him you have confidence in God, who raised him from the dead and gave him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God."
Does it not seem clear to you that the obedient, who are conformed to His image, invoke Him as father, and conduct themselves with fear can have this confidence? What is it in you that wants to rob Catholics of this confidence?
No, we are not omniscient, only God is. But, we entrust our souls to a faithful creator. When we have done all that is commanded of us, we say “we are unworthy servants”. We place our faith in the One who justifies the ungodly.
I cannot believe that you have been here so long, and had so many threads on salvation, and you can still persist in believing that Catholics are not saved by grace, through faith.
It seems to me also arrogant and judgemental of you to presume to criticize the Holy Father, or any Christian you have not even met.It is true that we are still in the race. It is also wise to follow the Apostle’s teaching to run so as to win the race:
"Do you not know that in a race all the runners compete, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. 25 Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. 26 Well, I do not run aimlessly, I do not box as one beating the air; 27 but I pommel my body and subdue it, **lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified. ** 1 Cor 9:24-10:1
See, your OSAS can only stand up if you dismiss statements such as this, or take on what Paul describes as an immature attitude toward salvation. Perhaps you need to cling to that. It is mysterious to me, but there have been many times in my life where I was afraid to trust in God for things, and was clinging to things that kept me immature.
S
sandusky
Guest
Why would I have said what I said if I meant something else?
You’re taking Peter’s statements out of context, guanophore—that’s very Catholic of you!
The context is those in Noah’s Ark; they were not immersed into water, but were very dry and warm inside the ark.
Again, you stray from Peter’s context to something else—that’s very Catholic of you!
Peter is not talking about water baptism, but is using baptism in a different sense, and you say, ”Catholics recognize the many uses of the word baptism,” so recognize that in the context of Peter’s statements, he is not talking about water baptism.
Repentance precedes baptism guanophore—that’s the consistent record of Acts—Repent, believe, be baptized.
Cornelius and his family received the Spirit before they were baptized (Acts 10:44-47), as did Paul (Acts 9:17-19).
The Holy Spirit does not regenerate through baptism, He regenerates prior to baptism.
That’s what baptism signifies, that’s not what it does. Paul states that the sign of baptism is the new covenant counterpart to the OT sign of circumcision; neither sign saves anyone. Baptism is an outward expression of an inward reality (cf Acts 9:17-19; 10:44-47).
That’s an ordinance as opposed to a sacrament.
The difference is God gave Israel ordinances, most notably the Passover (Ex 12:14ff); its NT counterpart, the Lord’s Supper, is also, by typology an ordinance, as Paul identifies Christ as “our Passover” (1 Cor 5:70), and not a sacrament. Sacraments are an invention of the Catholic Church.
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sandusky
Guest
Obedience to all that the Gospel entails.
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BRB
Guest
Not exactly correct. The Church doesn’t insist that all must ‘continually’ enjoy salvation assurance … but, It does acknowledge that many among them profess it.
All the truly holy ones thruout the ages of Christianity have enjoyed overwhelming assurances they were ‘the chosen elect’ & were/are Kingdom bound … provided they avoid Apostasy.
We are allowed to petition the Lord to secure us from Apostasy option [so the scriptures teach]… and by making a covenant in this regard we can preclude Apostasy and enjoy S.A.
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sandusky
Guest
Why do “make a covenant” concerning the preclusion of apostasy when one of the provisions of the New Covenant is the ***preclusion of apostasy?*****Jeremiah 32:40
“I will make an everlasting covenant with them that I will not turn away from them, to do them good; and I will put the fear of Me in their hearts so that they will not turn away from Me.**You’re “covenant” doesn’t make much sense.
B
BRB
Guest
Sandman … lots of people over the ages have claimed to have a special, secret ‘knosis’. Problem is, they always had major flaws in their theology that pointed to the fallacy of what they promoted.I believe salvation is all of God—monergism.
You believe salvation is partum partum—synergism.
I’m very aware that what I believe is in the minority, even among protestants; that’s because, I’m not getting my beliefs from consensus, but from what I read in scripture, and others including the fathers, and even some Catholics.
.
If what you are claiming here is true … even satan would be saved. Yes, only God forgives sin on his own account via the Son. But, via the Church his ministers/priesthood work in his behalf [in the person of Christ]. Still, we must be willing and give our consent … to enable a rebirth miracle thru faith.
As the Pope JP2 said “God in his deapest mysteries, is a Family”
When we seek or draw near to God … he will draw near to us. Synergism is the Key. You are still in a ‘rebellion’ of sorts … but, only because you are outside the Church. Come into the Church and make your peace with Christ at his Eucharistic table.
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mikeledes
Guest
Baptism is the means God has chosen to apply the redmeption won by Christ to our souls. The fact that the Bible talks about salvation through faith does not necessarily preclude means through which God applies the work of the Cross to our soul. Take the following, for example:
Mark 6:56
56Wherever He entered villages, or cities, or countryside, they were laying the sick in the market places, and imploring Him that they might just touch the fringe of His cloak; and as many as touched it were being cured.
Mark 10:28-34
**28For she thought, “If I just touch His garments, I will get well.”
29Immediately the flow of her blood was dried up; and she felt in her body that she was healed of her affliction.
30Immediately Jesus, perceiving in Himself that the power proceeding from Him had gone forth, turned around in the crowd and said, “Who touched My garments?”
31And His disciples said to Him, “You see the crowd pressing in on You, and You say, ‘Who touched Me?’”
32And He looked around to see the woman who had done this.
33But the woman fearing and trembling, aware of what had happened to her, came and fell down before Him and told Him the whole truth.
34And He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace and be healed of your affliction.” **
The woman and many others believed that if they touched the fringe of Jesus’s garment, they would be healed. Was it the act in and of itself - the touching - that healed them? No. But through that act, Jesus healed them - which is described as “power proceeding from Him.” The act was the means used to heal the person. But what did Jesus say to the woman? He said your faith has made you will. But when Jesus said this, does he mean he accomplished the healing through faith alone, since he makes no mention of anything else. Indeed, her faith made her well, but did God accomplsh the healing through faith alone? No. He accomplished the healing through faith expressed in an act (touching of the fringe).
The basis of forgiveness of sins is not our works or baptism per se, but the Cross of Christ. But what meansdoes God use to apply this forgiveness?
Acts 2:38
**38Peter said to them, "Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. **
Does Peter say "Repent for the forgiveness of your sins and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit and then be baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ? No! He said repent, and each of you be baptized FOR the forgiveness of your sins. Baptismal regeneration was th consistent teaching of the early Church and for 1, 500 years of Christian history:
Justin Martyr
**“As many as are persuaded and believe that what we [Christians] teach and say is true, and undertake to be able to live accordingly . . . are brought by us where there is water, and are regenerated in the same manner in which we were ourselves regenerated. For, in the name of God, the Father and Lord of the universe, and of our Savior Jesus Christ, and of the Holy Spirit, they then receive the washing with water. For Christ also said, ‘Except you be born again, you shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven’ [John 3:3]” **(First Apology 61 [A.D. 151]).
Ireneaus
It was not for nothing that Naaman of old, when suffering from leprosy, was purified upon his being baptized, but [it served] as an indication to us. For as we are lepers in sin, we are made clean, by means of the sacred water and the invocation of the Lord, from our old transgressions; being spiritually regenerated as new-born babes, even as the Lord has declared: “Except a man be born again through water and the Spirit, he shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.” (CCEL Irenaeus, Fragments From the Lost Writings of Irenaeus:XXXIV)
Tertullian
“**Happy is our sacrament of water, in that, by washing away the sins of our early blindness, we are set free and admitted into eternal life. . . . [But] a viper of the [Gnostic] Cainite heresy, lately conversant in this quarter, has carried away a great number with her most venomous doctrine, making it her first aim to destroy baptism—which is quite in accordance with nature, for vipers and asps . . . themselves generally do live in arid and waterless places. But we, little fishes after the example of our [Great] Fish, Jesus Christ, are born in water, nor have we safety in any other way than by permanently abiding in water. So that most monstrous creature, who had no right to teach even sound doctrine, knew full well how to kill the little fishes—by taking them away from the water!” (Baptism 1 [A.D. 203]).
Hippolytus
"[P]erhaps someone will ask, ‘What does it conduce unto piety to be baptized?’ In the first place, that you may do what has seemed good to God; in the next place, being born again by water unto God so that you change your first birth, which was from concupiscence, and are able to attain salvation, which would otherwise be impossible. For thus the [prophet] has sworn to us: ‘Amen, I say to you, unless you are born again with living water, into the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, you shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.’ Therefore, fly to the water, for this alone can extinguish the fire. He who will not come to the water still carries around with him the spirit of insanity for the sake of which he will not come to the living water for his own salvation" (Homilies 11:26 [A.D. 217]).
God bless,
Michael**
B
BRB
Guest
Because sometimes our first experience with God’s covenant is less than ideal. Some of us enter into Christianity with many difficulties in life, many prejudices have been planted into our minds [by no fault of our own].
Oftentimes the first churches we find to share our covenant with the Lord are badly flawed.
However, if we keep seeking and don’t give up … we may eventually find God’s true Church. Its much easier to keep our New Covenant, if we share in the true Synergistic unity of faith in God’s Universal Church.
B
BRB
Guest
Over the fence. Score a run.
As you say here Mike, unless we ACT on our faiths … we can’t be healed.
What are those works James speaks of ? Nothing more/less than FAITH IN ACTION.
B
BRB
Guest
:
Acts 2:38
**38Peter said to them, "Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. **
Does Peter say "Repent for the forgiveness of your sins and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit and then be baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ? No! He said repent, and each of you be baptized FOR the forgiveness of your sins. Baptismal regeneration was th consistent teaching of the early Church and for 1, 500 years of Christian history:
Justin Martyr
**“As many as are persuaded and believe that what we [Christians] teach and say is true, and undertake to be able to live accordingly . . . are brought by us where there is water, and are regenerated in the same manner in which we were ourselves regenerated. For, in the name of God, the Father and Lord of the universe, and of our Savior Jesus Christ, and of the Holy Spirit, they then receive the washing with water. For Christ also said, ‘Except you be born again, you shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven’ **[John 3:3]” (First Apology 61 [A.D. 151]).
Ireneaus
It was not for nothing that Naaman of old, when suffering from leprosy, was purified upon his being baptized, but [it served] as an indication to us. For as we are lepers in sin, we are made clean, by means of the sacred water and the invocation of the Lord, from our old transgressions; being spiritually regenerated as new-born babes, even as the Lord has declared: "Except a man be born again through water and the Spirit, he shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven." (CCEL Irenaeus, Fragments From the Lost Writings of Irenaeus:XXXIV)
Tertullian
“Happy is our sacrament of water, in that, by washing away the sins of our early blindness, we are set free and admitted into eternal life. . . . [But] a viper of the [Gnostic] Cainite heresy, lately conversant in this quarter, has carried away a great number with her most venomous doctrine, making it her first aim to destroy baptism—which is quite in accordance with nature, for vipers and asps . . . themselves generally do live in arid and waterless places. But we, little fishes after the example of our [Great] Fish, Jesus Christ, are born in water, nor have we safety in any other way than by permanently abiding in water. So that most monstrous creature, who had no right to teach even sound doctrine, knew full well how to kill the little fishes—by taking them away from the water!” (Baptism 1 [A.D. 203]).
Hippolytus
"[P]erhaps someone will ask, ‘What does it conduce unto piety to be baptized?’ In the first place, that you may do what has seemed good to God; in the next place, being born again by water unto God so that you change your first birth, which was from concupiscence, and are able to attain salvation, which would otherwise be impossible. For thus the [prophet] has sworn to us: ‘Amen, I say to you, unless you are born again with living water, into the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, you shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.’ Therefore, fly to the water, for this alone can extinguish the fire. He who will not come to the water still carries around with him the spirit of insanity for the sake of which he will not come to the living water for his own salvation" (Homilies 11:26 [A.D. 217]).
Score another run for Mike’s Cath. team.
Anytime one quotes from the ECF’s … they get an extra bonus run …
M
mikeledes
Guest
We are not “being saved” daily based on the quality of our love. We are being sanctified by the Holy Spirit through a faith that works through love:
Romans 6:19
**19I am speaking in human terms because of the weakness of your flesh For just as you presented your members as slaves to impurity and to lawlessness, resulting in further lawlessness, so now present your members as slaves to righteousness, resulting in sanctification. **
Hebrews 12:14
14) Pursue peace with all men, and the sanctification without which no one will see the Lord.
Galatians 6:7-9
7Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap.
8For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life.
9Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary.
To whom is the kingdom promised?
James 2:5
**5Listen, my beloved brethren: did not God choose the poor of this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which He promised to those who love Him? **
1 Corinthians 2:9
**9but just as it is written,
“THINGS WHICH EYE HAS NOT SEEN AND EAR HAS NOT HEARD,
AND which HAVE NOT ENTERED THE HEART OF MAN,
ALL THAT GOD HAS PREPARED FOR THOSE WHO LOVE HIM.” **
As I stated earlier, there is a direct correlation between love and works. If there is love, there must be works. The greater the love, the greater the works:
Revelation 2:4-5
4’But I have this against you, that you have left your first love.
5’Therefore remember from where you have fallen, and repent and do the deeds you did at first
The kingdom is promised to and prepared for those who love Him. And we see this clearly in Matthew 25:34-40
**34"Then the King will say to those on His right, ‘Come, you who are blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.
35’FOR I was hungry, and you gave Me something to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me something to drink; I was a stranger, and you invited Me in;
36naked, and you clothed Me; I was sick, and you visited Me; I was in prison, and you came to Me.’
37"Then the righteous will answer Him, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry, and feed You, or thirsty, and give You something to drink?
38’And when did we see You a stranger, and invite You in, or naked, and clothe You?
39’When did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?’
40"The King will answer and say to them, ‘Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of Mine, even the least of them, you did it to Me.’ **
By loving neighbor (expressed in works), we also love God (Jesus). So in those that love, God fulfills His promise and gives them the kingdom prepared for those who love Him. Those who did not love their neighbor (through works) - and hence did not love God (Matthew 25:41-45) - their portion is the eternal fire. Hence what was stated in James 2:12-13 is fulfilled:
**12So speak and so act as those who are to be judged by the law of liberty.
13For judgment will be merciless to one who has shown no mercy; mercy triumphs over judgment. **
God Bless,
Michael
M
mikeledes
Guest
Yes! Faith in action! But active faith is not a faith active by itself. It is active when it is united to love. That’s why when I hear the “faith alone” crowd say “the faith that saves is the faith that works,” I find it grossly inaccurate. They leave out one important element in that formula that Paul specifically mentions:
Galatians 5:6
6For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything, but faith working through love.
So it’s not faith alone that produces good works. It is a faith that has been united to love that produces good works.
God Bless,
Michael
- Status