You are misunderstanding what that verse is saying. Once you are saved, you will by nature do good works great or small. Trying to say you can do a lot of good stuff and earn your way into Heaven is a slap in the face to Jesus’ perfect finished work on the cross. Christ did it all, the only thing we have to do is accept him and we are saved. I’m sorry if you don’t like that, but it’s really just your ego telling you that you can do righteous works and earn your salvation. “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.”
Ephesians 2:8-9
That isn't what I'm saying at all - nor is it what James is saying. I do not believe in a works based faith. "Once you are saved, you will by nature do good works great or small." This sentence is closer to what I, and James, is saying.
The thief on the cross next to Jesus is proof that faith (justified belief) is all that's required to enter Paradise. If you don't die right after your true confession, then you will by nature (new nature) do good works.
You are misunderstanding what that verse is saying. Once you are saved, you will by nature do good works great or small. Trying to say you can do a lot of good stuff and earn your way into Heaven is a slap in the face to Jesus’ perfect finished work on the cross. Christ did it all, the only thing we have to do is accept him and we are saved. I’m sorry if you don’t like that, but it’s really just your ego telling you that you can do righteous works and earn your salvation. “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.” Ephesians 2:8-9
That isn't what I'm saying at all - nor is it what James is saying. I do not believe in a works based faith. "Once you are saved, you will by nature do good works great or small." This sentence is closer to what I, and James, is saying.
The thief on the cross next to Jesus is proof that faith (justified belief) is all that's required to enter Paradise. If you don't die right after your true confession, then you will by nature (new nature) do good works.
My apologies if I misunderstood your point. God bless.
No worries! Same to you, my fren.