Sunday, September 4th, 2005
faith
are we saved by faith alone?
is faith still faith if our actions do not reflect what we believe in?
today in sunday school, somebody asked if we will get into heaven even if we wander from God. imo God will be the judge of that. depends on your fundamental faith. if you still believe God has died for your sins and brought salvation. if you believe in that with all your heart than nothing else should matter. I’m sure God will have compassion and take you in.
however thats what i think. so, don’t take my word on it. but somebody then asked – without actions are u not acting on what you believe in? if you have no actions then do you have faith?
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—” Ephesians 2:8
” What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him? Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to him, “Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. ” James 2:14-17
So which one is it? faith w/o deeds or faith w/ deeds? let me ask you a question
if you believed in a “belief” which required an action. if you really believed in it. would you carry out that action? by doing nothing, would you be going against what you put your faith in?
it’s like a code of morals. if that moral asked of you to act a certain way when a situation arose, would you? if you didn’t – then would those still be your morals?
Also these verses are taken out of context (sometimes), so I think we need to read it more clearly before we can make a conclusion. for the ephesian one i think applies to more of the pharasies, becuase they thougth actions would get them into heaven, and there it was preaching against just good deeds. while the other one says faith is a gift (but a gift can implement certain actions like preaching the good news)
anyways if your interested more in the topic of faith – then i’ll advise you to read hebrews 9:1-40.
it’s long but its great.
next…
mike got busy packing. i bought school supplies and new pants today. pants! nice dark/very very blue jeans. ralph lauren. woot! anyways, packing didn’t take as long as i thought it would… i’m all set. excited, and yet sad to leave. i’ll miss alot of people – at least on the way up before i meet all these new faces. they have a way of taking your mind of things.. i think. i’ll remember you all. hahah i’ll visit often. bus tickets are cheap.
if you really want me out. raise 17$$ and i’ll take the fed bus out to meet you guys. until then. ciao and gl w/ the start of school
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