Most Non-Catholics believe that we are saved by faith alone. All one has to do is accept the Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior and you are saved. Some would even go as far as to say that once you do this, you will have an eternal security of salvation. Heaven is yours. Doesn't it sound great???
So here is my question (and Catholics please feel free to join in and answer as well):
If all you need is Faith Alone to be saved, why did Jesus condemn the lukewarm Christians in Revelation saying that He will spit them out of his mouth: Rev 3:14-22?
..and how about a follow up..
What constitutes a lukewarm christian? How much they believe or what they actually do? (Hint: The answer is in the same bible passages mentioned above)
God bless...
1 comment:
In my opinion, The terms "faith alone" and "works" should be removed from our vocabulary or at least defined every time we use them. Catholics believe "works" are necessary for salvation. Protestants claim this is wrong and that you cannot earn your salvation, which is by achieved by "faith alone". Some protestants claim that Catholics are not really Christians because they are trying to earn their salvation. And Catholics think that protestants believe they can say a 2 line prayer, live however they want, change nothing, and still get into heaven. I am going to make the claim that the difference is merely semantics. Let me explain...
The word "works" can refer to effort exerted for a reward (such as a paycheck, favor, or even entry into heaven). But it can also refer to God's work in the life of a believer. I don't believe either a Catholic or a protestant would argue that God is at work in the life of every believer. God does not sit idle. If he is present, he is at work. If someone claimed to have faith but that God is not at work in their life, I would ask them for their definition of the word faith. To me, faith and works (again works as defined as God's work not mine are one and the same. Our faith is not simply that God exists, but also that he is actively working to accomplish what he wills... and that he does it through us.
Others may see what God is doing in our life and say "I can see evidence of your faith" or "I can see God at work in life". Is there a difference?
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