Paul has already told us in several of his epistles that we cannot trust in works for salvation. He even tells us that works makes Grace void, in other words believing in works to be saved cancels out Grace.
In 1 Cor. 3:11-15, Paul tells us that our works (the works that follow our faith for salvation) will be tried by the fire, of what sort they are.
If they are improper works, deemed by the Lord, those works will be burned up, they will not pass the test and will not exist.
But then Paul says in vs 15,
"If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire."
The loss of the works that follow our faith will not stop a person from being saved in the end, provided that Faith is placed in the finished work of Christ.
From this we know that James is not speaking of works for salvation, but rather works proving our salvation.
I dont think you are understanding what I was saying.
First of all, unequivocally, works have nothing to do with Salvation, period. Salvation is a free gift.
Works is how we build up our treasure in heaven. Now when I met the Lord for the first time and answered an altar call I went up and said the sinners prayer. But when I woke up the next morning I was the same man. I had not changed.
Was I "saved" yesterday? Did I receive Salvation at that time? (Scripture please). Here's one:
John 1:11-13
11 He came unto his own, and his own received him not.
12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:
13 Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God..../KJV
Did I get my Salvation yesterday at church? I had been to church many times and listened to the word being taught. I was only about 12 or 14 at the time. But apparently it made some sort of sense to me that I believed it, so I responded to the altar call and was instructed in praying the sinners prayer. Did I go home with Salvation? Had God already written my name in the book of life?
John 1 says, I was given the power to become a son of God. So maybe my name wasnt written down yet in the book of life?
Is there really some people walking around thinking that they have received Salvation...but they haven't?
The way I understand it, we are (in today's world) the church of Laodiceans in this age. And this is what Jesus said to them:
Revelation 3: 14-19
14 And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God;
15 I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot.
16 So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.
17 Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:
18 I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.
19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent..../KJV
Repent? As in, Repent ye sinner and be saved? So these believers in the church of Laodicea get spued out of the Lord's mouth, what does that imply?
How about this one"
Matthew 7:21-23
21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity..../KJV
So it would seem, that there are people who think they have Salvation but in reality, they do not.
But I said the sinners prayer in Church and gave my life to the Lord...!!! And the Lord will say, I knew you not? How is that possible Brother? Did they "get saved" and "receive Salvation" at the time of saying the sinners prayer? Yes-No?
Or did they receive the power to become sons of God? (at a later date?!)
What do we do now, that we've said the sinners prayer? I had no clue after I said the sinners prayer. Oh, wait, the Good Book tells us what we should do!
John 14:15-16
15 If ye love me, keep my commandments.
16 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;.../KJV
It seems as if, at this point, the Lord says to begin obeying Him, and if you do then He will send you the Holy Spirit to help you.
Obey my commandments huh? Like what? Oh. Those commandments. This wasnt enough for me, I wanted more details of what to do. So I started reading my bible on my own.
Matthew 28:
18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.
19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen..../KJV
Those are commandments, plain and simple. So we must obey God to show that we love Him. How do I know if I am obeying enough to be found worthy of eternal life?
Oh, here it is...Back to Matthew 7
Matthew 7:
18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.
19 Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.
20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them..../KJV
By their fruits we will know them? What's fruit? (Lol). In short it is obeying the Lord. HE is the Lord of our life, not us. We gave our life to Him, right? So, everybody goes home from the altar call still in command of our own life. Did I recognize Him as my Boss and Lord? No I got waylaid distracted by all the pretty young girls at that age. I became hyper-interested in girls and did not live for the Lord. Was I really saved for all those years that I back slid?
I had the power to become the sons of God. What did I do with that? I chased girls and it made no matter to me about the Lord because I liked some girl. So did I ever become a sons of God? All things were supposed to be new again. They wasnt new. I was drawn to the ways of the world where the girls were. Was that God's will? Was I really in possession of Salvation all those years?
It seems doubtful because I may have went through the motions but I did not live as if Jesus was my "Lord", the Boss. So consequently, I had no fruit. I had the power to become one of the sons of God, but what did I do towards becoming a son of God? Nothing. Everybody know that when you get married that the wife is God (Lol).
So, no fruit. No good works, Get a Job! My Family needs this money too. You'd prolly buy alcohol anyway!! I knew all the excuses for never doing a good work to anyone. Hmm, is there a profit to be made here?!
Not one good work, except perhaps by accident, lol. So with no fruit, I would be hewn down and cast into the fire? But, Lord...Lord...
I never knew you...
That will not be a good day for Jesus to have to stand there and say that to those whom He never knew, but they called themselves Christian.
There's more scriptures too my Brother. This one is getting too long!
My conclusion overall is that we were not receiving Salvation because we said the sinners prayer once. He grants us the power too! But we must make an effort! Otherwise, it's like getting hired and then, not showing up for work at all. The Salvation isnt granted because of works, it is how we express the (truth) that we Love Him.
God will not be mocked. Do you think you wife would have married you if you never expressed love or interest in her? Surely you didn't just walk up to her on the street as a stranger and say I want to marry you...She would have said, "Psycho over here!"
