But not a word from Christ’s own lips about what the gospel is!
Why not start with this?
“If you would enter into life, keep the commandments.” Matt. 19:17
Keep the commandments, huh? This is interesting, because you sound like a Judaizer. Paul rebuked the Judaizers greatly in the Book of Galatians. Also, you posted the verse out of context to support your beliefs. Atheists can do the same thing to “prove” their belief that no God exists:
Psalm 14:1
There is no God.
Of course, this verse from Psalms is out of context. The true verse says: “
The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.” They are corrupt, their deeds are vile; there is no one who does good”. I’d appreciate it if you kept things within their context.
Albert Barnes did a nice commentary on Matthew 19:17:
Albert Barnes:
The young man thought he had kept them, and was relying on them for salvation. It was of great importance, therefore, to convince him that he was, after all, a sinner. Christ did not mean to say that any man would be saved by the works of the law, for the Bible teaches plainly that such will not be the case (Romans 3:20, Romans 3:28; Romans 4:6; Galatians 2:16; Ephesians 2:9; 2 Timothy 1:9). At the same time, however, it is true that if a man perfectly complied with the requirements of the law he would be saved, for there would be no reason why he should be condemned. Jesus, therefore, since he saw he was depending on his works, told him that if he would enter into life that is, into heaven - he must keep the commandments; if he was depending on them he must keep them perfectly, and if this was done he would be saved.The reasons why Christ gave him this direction were, probably:
- Because it was his duty to keep them.
- Because the young man depended on them, and he ought to understand what was required if he did - that they should be kept perfectly, or that they were not kept at all.
- Because he wanted to test him, to show him that he did not keep them, and thus to show him his need of a Saviour.
Now, here is the rest of the Scripture of that young rich man:
Matthew 19:16-26 KJV
(16) And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?
(17) And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.
(18) He saith unto him, Which? Jesus said, Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness,
(19) Honour thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
(20) The young man saith unto him, All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet?
(21) Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me.
(22) But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions.
(23) Then said Jesus unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven.
(24) And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.
(25) When his disciples heard it, they were exceedingly amazed, saying, Who then can be saved?
(26) But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.
What is Jesus saying here? Is He saying we are justified and enter salvation through keeping the Law? Absolutely not. Quoting chapter 17 of this is like quoting a Pharisee, or Job when he was suffering. We need to examine everything. Jesus begins by telling the man he would enter salvation through keeping the whole Law. This is true. If I kept the entire Law from birth, I wouldn’t need Jesus. Of course, no man keeps the Law, for all men sin. The man claimed to be a keeper of the Law. Jesus told the man to sell, give to the poor, and follow Him; to forsake all to follow Christ. The rich man could not do it. He sinned by doing so. He broke the Law. The disciples were amazed when Jesus said that it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God. They doubted, because no one keeps the law. They asked, “Who then can be saved?” Jesus assured them, “With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.” This is true. With God, all things are possible. God made the way to salvation possible: Have faith. Repent. Trust Christ. Trust the Gospel.
We are told that obeying the Law gives us no salvation, but faith does:
Romans 3:28
*For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from observing the law. *
Galatians 3:24
*So the law was put in charge to lead us to Christ that we might be justified by faith. *
Romans 5:1
*Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, *
**Ephesians 2:8–9 **
*For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. *
Notice that Paul never, ever, says “we have been justified through faith with works”. He always and only mentions faith. The only guy to mention faith and works was James. What Catholics don’t understand is that James talks about dead faith. Faith that demons even have: belief. Demons believe in Christ. They don’t have saving faith though. Saving faith is accompanied by good works. If one says they are saved, yet works against Christ, they are not saved. We are justified in front of God by faith, and in front of men by faith and works. Also, James’ targets were those who had that demonic “faith”. Works evidence and regenerate faith. But our works do not save us, for Christ did not teach works-righteousness. It’s funny when Catholics say private interpretation is bad, when they interpret the book of James by itself. You must look at other passages to get the true meaning. I won’t learn truth by one book. I must examine all.
God bless.
What is the OP fishing for here? What Catholics see as the Gospel message?
fficial&hs=HyZ&num=10&lr=&ft=i&cr=&safe=images&um=1&ie=UTF-8&q=%22LET%20US%20CHOOSE%20OUR%20PLACE%20WITH%20GOOD%20WORKS%22&sa=N&tab=wp