@kjw47:
Since you are works-based, can you answer my questions?:
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#1: Faith Based
You shout, "Jesus, save me!". Jesus walks on the water towards you. He tells you to relax and gently lifts you up. Neither the rip, tide, water, your weight, or distance from shore has any affect on him as he escorts you to shore and safety. He does the same for everyone else calling his name.
#2: Works Based
You shout, "Jesus, give me an opportunity!" Instantly Jesus points your attention to the cliff wall where a video is projected giving step by step instructions on how to swim. For others, floating books on water safety appear in the water, and for some, there are even buoys or rafts. The tide is strong so you can never make it to shore safely, but the video you're watching assures you that as long as you follow the instructions diligently, you'll be able to keep your head above water.
And it's true! As long as you follow instructions your head isn't pulled under nor do you drift out to sea. Others find that as long as they read their books, tread water, or oar against the current they too are able to keep their head above and their place in the water. This is good.
The bad thing is that as soon as they relax, follow an instruction incorrectly, or let their guard down they drift further out to sea.
QUESTIONS
- Who group can best describe Christ their Savior? #1 or #2?
- Who's faith is rewarded to the glory of God? Who's to the glory of themselves?
- Which group showed more faith in Jesus?
These questions are not just for you but for anyone who believes we are saved by our own works rather than through the grace or free gift of God.
Bonus Questions
If our salvation is "works-based":
1. Can Christians honestly claim Christ their Savior if in fact, he hasn't quite saved them yet?
2. Would it be better to call Christ our half-savior, since we're required to perform the other half ourselves?
3. Where can we find "salvation without works is dead?"*
4. Wouldn't it have been better if Jesus arrived and said "Save yourselves!" rather than be declared our Savior?
5. How long do our works, work? In other words, if I help a lady across the street, am I now saved if I die a year from now, or do I have to keep walking old ladies across the street? Am I less saved than someone working full time in a homeless shelter?
6. What if I give 10% of my yearly earning to the poor? Am I saved for the following year, only 10% of the next year, or am I only saved during the moment of donation? If I'm not saved during any of these, what is the point of the work?
7. What if I lie to my boss, cheat at tax time, or refuse to help my brother clean his garage? Does this shave off any salvation points I've earned? Can I take an indulgence, perhaps engage in some fornication, if I balance it off with some missionary work?
8. How do you explain the thief's salvation? Did he get a special work bonus none of us are privy to? Perhaps Christ was rewarding the thief, seeing him as the original Robin Hood, stealing from the rich but giving to the poor?
*Each Christian is assigned work to show their faith in God. It is our public display to the world. Our works were never intended as a mechanism toward salvation, but as a display of faith.That is why James says "Works without faith is dead". Your salvation is not your works. Your salvation is Christ.
There is no "Salvation without works is dead" in our bibles because Christ is alive, and he will stay that way, whether you, me or anyone else refuses to "work" or not.