How can someone be a Christian and not believe that faith alone saves? Isn’t the only alternative to state that your actions contribute to your justification (opening the door to endless legalism)? I don’t get it.
How can someone be a Christian and not believe that faith alone saves?
Satan also has faith, but he is not saved
That is not what faith alone means.
In James chapter 2 it says that devils believe that there is one God. There are indeed monotheistic religions out there; It's not the same thing as having a saving knowledge of our Lord and Savior.
That's obviously not enough to be saved according to the Gospel, just to think that there is one God and nothing else.
"Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble."
- James 2:19
Right, I wonder why people think Jesus came to replace one works based salvation (the Law) with another.
Maybe because he explicitly said people would be judged on their actions or lack of such.
People were already judged based on their actions under the Law. What do you think his death was for?
Not him, but old testament law didn't purport to let people who follow it go to heaven. The israelites didn't follow the law because it was supposed to get them a good afterlife, they followed it because it was a duty imposed on them by their god.
We don't believe anyone could get into heaven period before Jesus. People could only get into limbo of the fathers.
>your actions contribute to your justification (opening the door to endless legalism)
Why would that open the door to endless legalism?
>Isn’t the only alternative to state that your actions contribute to your justification (opening the door to endless legalism)? I don’t get it.
It also opens the door to justice, something completely lacking from salvation based on faith alone.
>It also opens the door to justice
The "justice" in question
I'd rather stick with sola fide, thanks
You can be overcharged for something and still get it.
Sure? It's boasting in them that is the problem. It's like driving a car safely after your dad buys it for you. You don't total it and then blame your dad for giving you the car. You also wouldn't say you earned the car by driving it responsibly.
> Sure? It's boasting in them that is the problem
You just blew my mind
> Ephesians 2:9 not by works, so that no one can boast
Go to Africa to install wells. But at the end of the day, that didn't save you, God's grace did.
Protestant: We are saved through justification by believing in Jesus Christ. Justification is a single moment and happens in the moment of Believing. Baptism and good works are a sign of justification
Catho-ortho: We are saved through Justification by believing in Jesus Christ. Justification is a process, believing in Jesus gives us the will to perform good deeds, and with the cooperation of God good deeds can indeed be done. If we fail in the process, we can start again through confession.
So in a certain sense both groups believe we are saved by faith. The real distinction is process vs single moment.
Even in Protestantism you can lose justification over and over. How? Have a moment you doubt your faith? You no longer have faith and lost justification. Feel faithful the next day? Justification is back.
Good point
>you have to live according to Jesus teachings, not just pay it lip service
>degenerate pimp Luther: NOOOOOOOOOOOO
Protestantism is a disorder of the mind.
>Open and hard-hearted sinners are not admitted to the Sacrament and other communion of the Church until they amend their lives and avoid sin [1 Corinthians 5]. Smalcald Articles- Martin Luther
>God threatens to punish all who sin against these commandments. Therefore, we should fear His wrath and not act contrary to these commandments. But He promises grace and every blessing to all who keep these commandments. Therefore, we should also love and trust in Him and gladly do what He commands. Small Catechism- Martin Luther.
I don’t know what you’re talking about.