Vic, my Friend,quote: Originally Posted by INVICTUS:If there's no benefit from works, then that would deny free will. The definition of work will show the act of showing, accepting faith if it's accepted completely as a gift, as a work. How do you deny free will? That's what happens when works or of no use.
It is obvious that you DO NOT read what others write -- BEFORE you start blurting our your Vatican thoughts.
Works are indeed needed and rewarded. However, you always get your donkey behind your cart.
WORKS are the RESULT of our salvation --
NOT the CAUSE of our salvation.
We are saved by grace through faith in the finished work of Jesus Christ (Ephesians 2:8-9, Ephesians 1:13, John 19:30) -- PLUS NOTHING ELSE. AFTER we are saved, sealed by the Holy Spirit, and adopted into God's Family -- we should me eager to DO WORKS. But, those works reflect our salvation; they do not cause our salvation.
And, when we stand before Jesus Christ at the Believers' Judgment in heaven during the seven year Tribulation -- those works will earn us rewards in heaven, or lack of works will cause us to lose rewards in heaven.
However, when those works are judged (1 Corinthians 3:10-15) -- believers are already in heaven. We would not be in heaven if we were not saved. That is our Believers' Judgment.
My Friend, I sincerely pray that THIS TIME my explanation has seep into your head. Or, will you, as usual, begin to immediately respond to what I have written WITHOUT even reading it?
Bless your dense little heart!
Bill
