Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!usc!apple!agate!shelby!rutgers!dimacs.rutgers.edu!aramis.rutgers.edu!athos.rutgers.edu!christian From: gross@dg-rtp.dg.com (Gene Gross) Newsgroups: soc.religion.christian Subject: Re: The Uneducated Need Not Apply Message-ID: Date: 29 Nov 90 05:18:50 GMT Sender: hedrick@athos.rutgers.edu Organization: Data General Corporation, Research Triangle Park, NC Lines: 41 Approved: christian@aramis.rutgers.edu In article stevep@cadence.com (Steve Peterson) writes: >For the life of me, I have never understood why people make such an issue >over the faith/works issue. In my reading of the Bible, I have always seen >that it points out that salvation is due to faith in Jesus and the value ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ >of his ransom sacrifice. This faith is expressed in many ways, in the things >we say, think, and do. There are several discussions in the Bible that point >out that uselessness of faith without works as well as works without faith >The main point being that Salvation is through faith. True faith will bring ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ >forth works. I am sorry that this was somehow miscommunicated to you. Not to be nit picky...well, yeah, I'm going to be a bit nit picky...and it has nothing to do with Steve being a Witness because I've seen others doing this. Please note the parts that I highlighted. Salvation is due to the grace of Jehovah God *and* the faith that He gives us to believe (pisteuo). Now, I have not studied Eph. 2:8, 9 in the Greek, but will make a point of it tonight. However, the construction in the English points out clearly that even the "faith" is a gift of God. This means that salvation is purely the work of God and does not hinge upon me, or any other human being at all. That is, salvation is due to God, His grace, and His gift of faith. This is not a matter of semantics. The apostle goes on to point out that our salvation is not a matter of works so that human pride cannot have room to boast. If the faith were merely human faith, then it would amount to human works of righteousness. And we know from previous writings of the apostle that our righteousness is as filthy rags in God's sight. So the faith is not of human origin. Rather, it originates with God who gives it to us freely for purposes of salvation. Now, I agree with that once we have this faith, we will bring forth works appropriate to salvation and redemption. When we look into our own lives, we ought to see works that speak volumes about our discipleship to our Lord Jesus. For His glory, Gene Gross