“For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “The just shall live by faith.”” - Romans 1:17
Essentially, after God created man, He was disappointed in man’s behavior. So He gave them the Ten Commandments, saying, in essence, here, follow these rules and you’ll be fine. But man couldn’t keep the Commandments. So God sacrificed on their behalf, in love, and redeemed man into Grace. You just have to accept this Truth, and believe it. Your faith is all that is required, because man is never, ever going to be able to “earn” redemption- we are simply too prone to error.
I can see the point of Catholic theology; it’s good to do good deeds. But then you fall into the mindset of trying to “earn” your way into Heaven. Not only can that not be accomplished, but then you become mired in feelings of guilt, shame, and inadequacy, and this is not what God wants for us. God loves us, and wants us to be joyful! Believe you have been saved, and rejoice!
Peter, your analytical skills are amazing even in your study of Scriptures. Maybe God will lead you in getting your writings to an audience of young people who are metaphorically lost in the desert. You have such wonderful gifts. Bless you always!
The important distinction is to recognize the different between choice and obligation.
Catholic doctrine makes good deeds a matter of obligation—and that is where it goes off the rails.
We are called to faith. We are called to act through our faith. If we act from obligation we cannot by definition be acting through faith.
Thus I conclude what I apprehend Paul to be saying in Romans 3:31, which is what when we are under the Law we do good deeds because we have to, but when we act through faith we do good deeds because we want to.
That distinction is what Jesus teaches will differentiate deeds which are good before men and deeds which are good before God.
Yes! And this is also why Christianity is not socialism! If you give to another out of love, as your own CHOICE, it is Christian love and ministering. If your earnings are taken from you by FORCE, at the point of a gun, it is not love - it is SLAVERY.
God wants us to give with love in our hearts. God does not want us to be slaves!
"But you are not to be called rabbi, for you have one teacher, and you are all brethren. And call no man your father on earth, for you have one Father, who is in heaven. Neither be called masters, for you have one master, the Christ. He who is greatest among you shall be your servant; whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted."
Matthew 23:9-12
Men are not called to wield authority over men. Men are not called to lay burdens of duty and doctrine upon each other.
We are called to yield all authority to God.
We are called to follow God's Law, and submit to God's Will.
“For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “The just shall live by faith.”” - Romans 1:17
Essentially, after God created man, He was disappointed in man’s behavior. So He gave them the Ten Commandments, saying, in essence, here, follow these rules and you’ll be fine. But man couldn’t keep the Commandments. So God sacrificed on their behalf, in love, and redeemed man into Grace. You just have to accept this Truth, and believe it. Your faith is all that is required, because man is never, ever going to be able to “earn” redemption- we are simply too prone to error.
I can see the point of Catholic theology; it’s good to do good deeds. But then you fall into the mindset of trying to “earn” your way into Heaven. Not only can that not be accomplished, but then you become mired in feelings of guilt, shame, and inadequacy, and this is not what God wants for us. God loves us, and wants us to be joyful! Believe you have been saved, and rejoice!
Peter, your analytical skills are amazing even in your study of Scriptures. Maybe God will lead you in getting your writings to an audience of young people who are metaphorically lost in the desert. You have such wonderful gifts. Bless you always!
The important distinction is to recognize the different between choice and obligation.
Catholic doctrine makes good deeds a matter of obligation—and that is where it goes off the rails.
We are called to faith. We are called to act through our faith. If we act from obligation we cannot by definition be acting through faith.
Thus I conclude what I apprehend Paul to be saying in Romans 3:31, which is what when we are under the Law we do good deeds because we have to, but when we act through faith we do good deeds because we want to.
That distinction is what Jesus teaches will differentiate deeds which are good before men and deeds which are good before God.
Yes! And this is also why Christianity is not socialism! If you give to another out of love, as your own CHOICE, it is Christian love and ministering. If your earnings are taken from you by FORCE, at the point of a gun, it is not love - it is SLAVERY.
God wants us to give with love in our hearts. God does not want us to be slaves!
Exactly so.
"But you are not to be called rabbi, for you have one teacher, and you are all brethren. And call no man your father on earth, for you have one Father, who is in heaven. Neither be called masters, for you have one master, the Christ. He who is greatest among you shall be your servant; whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted."
Matthew 23:9-12
Men are not called to wield authority over men. Men are not called to lay burdens of duty and doctrine upon each other.
We are called to yield all authority to God.
We are called to follow God's Law, and submit to God's Will.
Men do not have a say in that