That verse is often used because it so strongly makes the point. I also did not say works are unnecessary. Works are important part of sharing and walking with Christ. But it is not our works that grant us our SALVATION. AND Christ and the apostles make that extremely clear. And it seems like you agree?? below:
This is why Christians typically do not practice circumcision, burnt offerings, the scapegoat ritual, etc. All of those were a facsimile for the Messiah and are now obsolete as Christ has already been born, performed his mortal ministry, suffered in the garden, and was crucified.
We no longer performing these (sacrifices, aka these works) because the life, crucifixion, and resurrection of Christ is what reconciled us to God.
Except again, it is our very works that grant us salvation.
You are saying works are unnecessary. You said so again in the very next sentence.
"But it is not our works that grant us our SALVATION."
If it is not our works that grant us salvation, then they are unnecessary for said salvation. Christ and his apostles make the opposite extremely clear. One can have faith in Christ and believe that his words and actions were true and real, but can still choose to do the opposite. He gains no salvation then because his works are not good.
Faith without works is dead. That is clearly and plainly put. There is no ulterior meaning or hidden agenda there. Were works not what grants salvation, Christ would have had no need for apostles in the first place.
"We no longer performing these (sacrifices, aka these works) because the life, crucifixion, and resurrection of Christ is what reconciled us to God."
That is simply a re-stating of what I already said more than once. The Law of Moses was a simple law created to teach the Jews of the Messiah. The burnt offfering, the scapegoat ritual, and circumcision are all metaphors for the suffering and death of Christ being used as remission.
Works are not necessary for our salvation. But they are necessary for your sanctification.
Sanctification being the process of acting on your faith in order to grow your faith and draw closer to Him.
Knowing that our salvation does not come from works makes works that much more beautiful. Because otherwise they would be selfish acts as was initially pointed.
One can have faith in Christ and believe that his words and actions were true and real, but can still choose to do the opposite.
That will always be true (at times) because not a single one of us is perfect. Proof that works are not what save us and thank God (literally) for that!
But Galatians says that God will not be mocked and that works are important to keeping your salvation.
I feel that Galatians Chapters 3-6 sums this entire discussion up very well. "Faith working through love" They are very entertwined and some may think we are having a "chicken and the egg" argument. But I think these are important distinctions.
Yes works are necessary for your salvation, for one does not practice good faith without works.
"That will always be true (at times) because not a single one of us is perfect. Proof that works are not what save us and thank God (literally) for that!"
You're not getting it. I'm saying that they will purposefully choose to do the opposite. No gray area, no moment of mortal weakness. Deliberate choice.
Galatians 3-6 only supports my argument. "Faith working through love". How does one show love? Through works. That isn't to say that the only way to show love is to, for example, continuously shower someone with gifts. However, how much love can you expect from someone who professes their love for you, but never calls, writes, or even attempts to contact you in any way, be it subtle or overt?
The same goes for John 3:16. "that whosoever believeth in him" is not referencing a simple declaration of faith. "Believing" i.e. having faith is striving to emulate, and that requires good works. This goes back to the parable of the talents. The man who did not invest his master's money was castigated, for he wasted his gift. The apathetic and lazy "believer" is held in as much contempt as a deliberate sinner, for their "faith" is nothing more than a vanity, i.e. virtue signalling. That was Christ's biggest criticism of the Pharisees. They professed faith, but their actions did not reflect said faith.
It isn't a "chicken and the egg" argument at all as there is no chronological paradox to work out. Faith and works are conjoined, mutually inclusive, simultaneous.
That verse is often used because it so strongly makes the point. I also did not say works are unnecessary. Works are important part of sharing and walking with Christ. But it is not our works that grant us our SALVATION. AND Christ and the apostles make that extremely clear. And it seems like you agree?? below:
We no longer performing these (sacrifices, aka these works) because the life, crucifixion, and resurrection of Christ is what reconciled us to God.
Except again, it is our very works that grant us salvation.
You are saying works are unnecessary. You said so again in the very next sentence.
"But it is not our works that grant us our SALVATION."
If it is not our works that grant us salvation, then they are unnecessary for said salvation. Christ and his apostles make the opposite extremely clear. One can have faith in Christ and believe that his words and actions were true and real, but can still choose to do the opposite. He gains no salvation then because his works are not good.
Faith without works is dead. That is clearly and plainly put. There is no ulterior meaning or hidden agenda there. Were works not what grants salvation, Christ would have had no need for apostles in the first place.
"We no longer performing these (sacrifices, aka these works) because the life, crucifixion, and resurrection of Christ is what reconciled us to God."
That is simply a re-stating of what I already said more than once. The Law of Moses was a simple law created to teach the Jews of the Messiah. The burnt offfering, the scapegoat ritual, and circumcision are all metaphors for the suffering and death of Christ being used as remission.
Works are not necessary for our salvation. But they are necessary for your sanctification. Sanctification being the process of acting on your faith in order to grow your faith and draw closer to Him.
Knowing that our salvation does not come from works makes works that much more beautiful. Because otherwise they would be selfish acts as was initially pointed.
That will always be true (at times) because not a single one of us is perfect. Proof that works are not what save us and thank God (literally) for that!
But Galatians says that God will not be mocked and that works are important to keeping your salvation.
I feel that Galatians Chapters 3-6 sums this entire discussion up very well. "Faith working through love" They are very entertwined and some may think we are having a "chicken and the egg" argument. But I think these are important distinctions.
Yes works are necessary for your salvation, for one does not practice good faith without works.
"That will always be true (at times) because not a single one of us is perfect. Proof that works are not what save us and thank God (literally) for that!"
You're not getting it. I'm saying that they will purposefully choose to do the opposite. No gray area, no moment of mortal weakness. Deliberate choice.
Galatians 3-6 only supports my argument. "Faith working through love". How does one show love? Through works. That isn't to say that the only way to show love is to, for example, continuously shower someone with gifts. However, how much love can you expect from someone who professes their love for you, but never calls, writes, or even attempts to contact you in any way, be it subtle or overt?
The same goes for John 3:16. "that whosoever believeth in him" is not referencing a simple declaration of faith. "Believing" i.e. having faith is striving to emulate, and that requires good works. This goes back to the parable of the talents. The man who did not invest his master's money was castigated, for he wasted his gift. The apathetic and lazy "believer" is held in as much contempt as a deliberate sinner, for their "faith" is nothing more than a vanity, i.e. virtue signalling. That was Christ's biggest criticism of the Pharisees. They professed faith, but their actions did not reflect said faith.
It isn't a "chicken and the egg" argument at all as there is no chronological paradox to work out. Faith and works are conjoined, mutually inclusive, simultaneous.