“…But someone will say, “You have faith, and I have works.” Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you MY FAITH BY MY WORKS (We do what we do for God because we have FAITH IN GOD!). You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe—and tremble! But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead? Was not Abraham our father JUSTIFIED BY WORKS when he offered Isaac his son on the altar?” (Jam. 2:17-21)
Amanda, there is a group of so called Christians who claim that we need only to believe or trust in Christ in order to be saved, (made fit for heaven). They claim that OBEYING God’s commandments is good but NOT NECESSARY for our salvation. Our sin, (disobedience to God), does not affect our salvation. As Martin Luther wrote to Melanchthon: “Sin greatly, but believe more greatly.” Even though Luther was exaggerating, it is the belief of some Christians today. Jesus says, “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but HE WHO DOES THE WILL of My Father in heaven.” (Matt. 7:21)
Think about this scripture Amanda, “…when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven, in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who DO NOT OBEY THE GOSPEL of our Lord Jesus Christ. These shall be punished with EVERLASTING DESTRUCTION from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power…” (2 Thess. 1:7-9) Jesus said, “If you love me, OBEY my commandments.” (John 14:15)
SO, WE MUST BELIEVE WE ARE SAVED AND THEN DO THE WILL OF GOD…
Your Personal Dad…