What works?

sandy whitelinger said:

And what is it that qualifies as "doing good" that has a scriptural reference?

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One would assume that loving God and loving one's neighbor as oneself qualify as "doing good," since all the Law and the prophets hinge upon these two commandments, according to Jesus.

sojourner said:

One would assume that loving God and loving one's neighbor as oneself qualify as "doing good," since all the Law and the prophets hinge upon these two commandments, according to Jesus.

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Here is what I mean by a direct scriptural reference. It comes from Matthew 25 and is describing the judgement seat of Christ:

"[34] Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:
[35] For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in:
[36] Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.
[37] Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink?
[38] When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee?
[39] Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?
[40] And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me."

sandy whitelinger said:

For those who believe that works play a part in salvation, what are those works (Please include scriptural reference)? Thank you. Sandy

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Hi, Sandy.

Since this thread is so similar to your other one (I'm sure you know which one I mean), I feel as if we're going around in circles. It would be useful to me if you were to explain what you mean when you use the word "works."

Sandy -

I think James 2 (included in pertinent part below) is a good explanation of the role works have in our salvation. From my understanding, works operate to perfect our faith until we are justified then sanctified and finally in making our calling and election sure (2 pet. 1:10). works are evidence of our faith, or in other words if there are no works there is no faith (in Jesus Christ) therefore no salvation.

James 2: 14-26

14 ¶ What [doth it] profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?
James 2:15
15 If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food,
James 2:16
16 And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be [ye] warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what [doth it] profit?
James 2:17
17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.
James 2:18
18 Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.
James 2:19
19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.
James 2:20
20 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?
James 2:21
21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar?
James 2:22
22 Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?
James 2:23
23 And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.
James 2:24
24 Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.
James 2:25
25 Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent [them] out another way?
James 2:26
26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.

To me, faith is the beginning not the end.

2 pet. 1:5-11
5 ¶ And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge;
2 Pet 1:6
6 And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness;
2 Pet 1:7
7 And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.
2 Pet 1:8
8 For if these things be in you, and abound, they make [you that ye shall] neither [be] barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
2 Pet 1:9
9 But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins.
2 Pet 1:10
10 Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall:
2 Pet 1:11
11 For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

C

Mat 7:1-2
Judge not, that ye be not judged.
For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.

And what is it that qualifies as "doing good" that has a scriptural reference?

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If you have a Concordance, I'm sure you can look up the word "good" and discover the various works that the New Testament calls good. Obviously since this is a continual action ("doing") and it is the act of a general principle that encompasses more than one thing ("good") I don't think it makes much sense to attribute this to just one act. For a direct Scriptural reference, Paul later in Chapter 12 says, "Cling to what is good." (verse 9). Read from there to the end of that chapter if you need some explicit ideas.

Katzpur said:

Hi, Sandy.

Since this thread is so similar to your other one (I'm sure you know which one I mean), I feel as if we're going around in circles. It would be useful to me if you were to explain what you mean when you use the word "works."

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I'm not going around in circles.....yet. Two simple issues. One which scriptures do people use to justify that works are needed for salvation and a separate thread to scripturally justify "which" works are needed.

sandy whitelinger said:

I'm not going around in circles.....yet. Two simple issues. One which scriptures do people use to justify that works are needed for salvation and a separate thread to scripturally justify "which" works are needed.

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So you're not willing to clarify what you mean by "works"? It would just make it easier for me to respond, that's all.

Katzpur said:

So you're not willing to clarify what you mean by "works"? It would just make it easier for me to respond, that's all.

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Works needs to have a scriptural meaning. How about which actions are the "works" that are needed for salvation?

Katzpur said:

So you're not willing to clarify what you mean by "works"? It would just make it easier for me to respond, that's all.

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The last thing Jesus said to His Apostles before ascending into Heaven was, "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you..." He commanded us to feed the hungry, to clothe the naked, to care for the sick and the poor. He commanded us to love one another, to do good to those who treat us badly, etc. You know what the commandments were as well as I do. I see our "works" as the things we do every day of our lives to show Him that we love Him.

Katzpur said:

The last thing Jesus said to His Apostles before ascending into Heaven was, "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you..." He commanded us to feed the hungry, to clothe the naked, to care for the sick and the poor. He commanded us to love one another, to do good to those who treat us badly, etc. You know what the commandments were as well as I do. I see our "works" as the things we do every day of our lives to show Him that we love Him.

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That's the kind of thing I am looking for. Thanks and Happy Thanksgiving a day late.

sandy whitelinger said:

Thanks and Happy Thanksgiving a day late.

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You're welcome, and you too. I'm actually eating leftovers right now.