What does it mean we are saved by faith not by works?

[mikemarco76]

im saved but i nailed my neigbors wife the other night. am i still going to heaven?

[womanwonder10]

@bob21294 Works come out of faith!! His love/our response! If a person truly believes in Christ as their Savior then that person wants to do those things which would please Him. And he/she would do so not to earn grace, but because of God's mercy and grace given by Christ. Why do Catholics come here to constantly argue? If we each believe Christ died for our sins and rose again to win Heaven for us---what is the problem? Do you believe this? In Christ alone is salvation, friend. -Alexa

[bob21294]

If we need works as a testimony of our faith, as St. James writes, then it's not truly "faith alone" then is it? If all you had was a mere belief but no "pick up your cross and follow me" (aka works) then would you really be saved? On Judgment Day we will all be given in accordance to what we have done. You can have faith without works and works without faith and neither will get you anywhere. Works do not earn you salvation in a meritous sort of way for it is by God's grace that we are saved.

[bigboy45454545]

Look Mom, this video is brainwashing school. These retards think that magic Gods are real when it's clear Gods are myths. Yes even Jesus Mr. Retard. Why not Allah? There's no evidence for any of it.

[taxzby]

instead of arguing what ppl actually believe ppl argue one or two extremes you faith ALONE or works ALONE. in reality no church takes that extreme despite some christian churches having it written down 'faith alone' no catholic church says works alone that is for sure. The other misunderstanding is good works. God is good, we're not talking about good acts on the surface but holistic good which if anything less is not good. You cant fool an omnipotent God.

[gi2bull]

@mostly4moderate you wrote: "You can thank us later for removing indulgences from your menu of spiritual "options". Or was that by profound revelation?"

I thought the video is about refraining from being arrogant and claiming credit when you absolutely have no reason to.

[MrJeffhvass]

Can you send or tell me on youtube your teaching of baptism?

[MrJeffhvass]

I could not tell. I love the freedom that you teach. I am in the CC but I would be condidered a "fallen" Catholic due to my biblical Christian ideas. Keep on teaching you have a great way of presenting the Truth.

[MrJeffhvass]

Faith is the start by belief. Faith comes from hearing what God has done in Jesus. True faith will lead to works. Jesus saves use from our sin nature and sins we commit. You can't work your self to heaven. If you trust in Jesus and you do his will, works will result. Nice to see a Catholic Priest teach true faith and not add on works. Love it.

[nschaub]

@MrJeffhvass Hi......well said.......and we agree because I am not Roman Catholic.......I am a pastor in the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod...Pastor Lassman

[catchzz]

Ah what you must mean is the sale of indulgences which was a corrupt practice yes, however doctrine of the faith was just fine, nothing to change there. Practice needed changed yes, but changing doctrine is going too far. Adding words to scripture that werent there to begin with, a big no no. Ignore parts of scripture just to focus on something better understood, an idea of the protestants. Dont like what the preacher is saying, fire him & find us someone that tells us what we want to hear.

[catchzz]

Again, never did I say we are justified by works of the law. This is the problem w/ protestants that want to make a straw man of the Catholic church & why I correct the errors of thinking. What I hope to achieve...understanding. Christ calls us to go preach the word & tell the truth. Truth ISNT objective unless you dont have the fullness of truth. You cant dismiss other portions of scripture that tell us we need to work out our salvation. Pisteus monon is in the Greek once refuting your claim.

[catchzz]

Im not confused at all, why are you? James says we are justified by faith & works & Galatians tells us we are justified by faith working in love. Not faith alone, whats your confusion? Justification is NOT by a Roman courtroom, IT IS by a Hebrew family where God is a loving judgemental father guiding His children to maturity thru what we do. Book of Hebrews tells us to work out salvation in fear & trembling so we dont become prodigal sons. Note I never said we are justified by works of the law.

[catchzz]

I know we wont agree but sola fide is NOT in the bible. Luther added the word ALONE in Romans. Proverbs 30:5-6

SImply put, you cant say faith alone saves, but faith is never alone. Salvation is by faith working in love, not the quantitative number of works you do & its ridiculous Lutherans pose a ? of how many you have to do bc quantifying it just shows the legal courtroom scene just as Luther incorrectly viewed salvation. In the new convenant we really take part in sonship NOT a legal sense.

[catchzz]

Please refer to Galatians where Paul explains we are saved by faith working in love. Sola fide is not the message of the bible, & its crucial that Christians understand that. We need to understand Gods covenantal bond not as a contract. "Reformer" taught the idea that God is the judge of the courtroom & we are all guilty, but the convenant means sonship. God makes fatherly judgements & we are His children. A father never says dont sacrifice bc you get the inheritance by just being in the family.

[nschaub]

Yes! And faith is from God...

[CatholicCrusaderX]

"You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only" (James 2:14)

[nschaub]

God does it all --Phil 2:13

[twisantigo]

There are 4 types of works in the N. Test:

1. works of the law of Moses(Gal.2:16)

2. works of the flesh(Gal. 5:19-21)

3. works of merit(Titus 3:4-7)

4. works of obedience of faith(James 2)

We are not saved by the first 3 types. But we must have works of obedience of faith! Believing is a "work of God"-Jn. 6:29. Baptism is a "work of God"-Col. 2:12. Nowhere in the bible do we read of "faith alone." Faith encompasses belief, repentance, confession, and baptism.

[nschaub]

HI..how many works of obedience do you have to do before yoiu are saved? The works we do before faith or after faith do not add to what we have through faith in Christ because only Jesus Christ saves us ("it is finished") and faith is the only way to receive what he has done because it is a promise from God..Pastor Lassman

[twisantigo]

I agree with John 3:16. But what about 1 Peter 3:21, Rom. 10:10, Luke 13:3? How can you take only the verse on belief, and ignore the scriptures on repentance, confession, and baptism? We have to obey ALL of God's commands! One could read 1 John 4:7 and conclude that all one has to do to be saved is love! Just because baptism is not mentioned in John 3:16 doesn't mean it's void. Believing is not mentioned in 1 Pet. 3:21 but baptism is, does that mean we don't have to believe?

[nschaub]

HI..we are saved by faith alone and all those things you talk about (obdience) show that we have true saving faith...just as James says: :"show me your faith without the works and I will show you my faith by my works" (2: 18)...As I said, faith alone saves, but faith is never alone...Pastor Lassman

[twisantigo]

It appears to me that you are contradicting yourself...faith alone saves, but faith is never alone??? Please explain Acts 2:37-38: The Jews BELIEVED they had crucified the Son of God, but they still asked, "WHAT MUST WE DO?" The answer: REPENT AND BE BAPTIZED FOR REMISSION OF SINS. You MUST be baptized BEFORE your sins are forgiven!! Baptism does NOT show we already have salvation! We are baptized INTO Christ (Galatians 3:27).

[catchzz]

Hello, I have been trying to follow the conversation you have been having, but youtube jumps around & makes it rather difficult to follow. From what I have read, your stance has been flawless. We of course know that salvation is NOT by faith alone & the bible is chalk full of references proving that. Just wanted to show my support to a fellow member in faith. It is great to know that Christians are making an attempt at understanding Scripture as it was intended.

[rhywe]

hi pastor, Thank you so much for replying. I hope I am no bother to you but I am trying to better understand. I have enjoyed all of your videos. So, tell me if I am wrong, but I think what you are trying to say is that we, our flesh, has no part in our salvation, that God gives us the power (holy spirit) to decide to accept jesus. Not by our own doing without God I think at first I thought your 3 choices below were all 1 answer, but I think you were giving me multiple choice. thanks again!!

[nschaub]

Hi..right .the key question is where do we get the power/ability to "respond" to God? And the answer is from God alone..and that's what it means to be saved by grace..it is all God's doing as even our faith is given to as a gift from God...thanks...Pastor Lassman

[twisantigo]

It is NOT all God's doing!! We must obey Him to receive His grace!! Obeying God is not counted as a "work of merit." James 2 teaches of works of obedience. You have works of merit and works of obedience confused. If I gave you a check for $1000 as a gift, you'd still have to go to the bank to cash it!! But does that mean you earned it?? The same is true with God's gift of salvation. There are different types of works listed in the N. Testament.

[barnabaspark]

Tell me how much work of obedience you have to do before you are saved?

Do you have salvation knowing you have enough obeyed?

[twisantigo]

God commands us to believe(John 3:16), repent (Luke 13:3), confess(Rom. 10:10), and be baptized (Mark 16:16). "Faith" encompasses "obeying" God's commands! These are not "works of our own merit." As I mentioned in my previous comment, they are "works of God." We do not "earn" our salvation by obeying God's commands!! Please don't confuse works of merit with works of obedience to God. By obeying God we receive his GIFT of grace. Please comment back if you would like.

[nschaub]

HI..everything is from God..our faith and even the will and ability to do good works..which includes "going to the bank and cashing it"...Pastor Lassman

[twisantigo]

May I ask you a question: Do you believe that in order to be saved, all you have to do is believe in Christ?

[nschaub]

Well...that's a loaded question don't you think? Yes..faith alone saves...faith alone makes me a christian..but if it a true living faith then baptism will follow as well as good works...

[twisantigo]

I'm sorry but I disagree. Nowhere in the bible is the term "faith alone" found. The Bible plainly states that we must believe, repent, confess, and be baptized FOR remission of sins. By doing these "works of God"(John 6:29, Col. 2:12), we are being obedient to God's commands for salvation-we are not earning it by works of merit. Baptism "washes" away sins(Acts 22:16). It is by God's grace that he gave us the gift of salvation, but we must obey His commands in order to receive it.

[nschaub]

HI...well how about John 3:16? and you never answered how many works I have to be in additon to faith to be saved..Pastor Lassman

[twisantigo]

You have to obey the commands (not works of merit) of GOD to be saved: believe, repent, confess, and be baptized. I never said I was saved by works of my own doing. True faith in God is an OBEDIENT faith (Rom. 1:5). Why do you confuse God's commands with works of merit?? James 2:19-"even the demons believe, and shudder." We are not saved by belief alone. Matt. 7:21-"not everyone who says, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who DOES the will of My Father..."

[nschaub]

HI...this is a question of understandidng the words correctly. If you mean that no one can be saved without faith in Jesus Christ that is true. The issue is with the word "decide"....Yes, of course to be saved you must believe in Jesus. The key question is where do you get the POWER to believe? ("to decide"?) Here you only have three choices: 1)  All the power is from you. 2) It's a combination of power from you and God 3) All the power is from God....and this is the biblical answer.

[rhywe]

hi pastor, I posted a comment yesterday as well as you can see below. I just wanted to be clear. I would like for you to explain how we, as lutherans do not have to decide to accept jesus. Thank you!!!!

[rhywe]

Pastor Lassman, I am lutheran as well. I totally agree with you. I can't stand when someone says, " you need to ask jesus to save you" or you need to choose jesus. I get it, we do not ask jesus to save us, all we need to do is receive this gift from God. Although, do you not believe that at some point we have to "choose" to allow ourselves to let our faith grow into salvation?

[nschaub]

Before we are converted we have no power in spiritual matters at all. But after we are "born again" we have spirutal powers and in a sense can "cooperate" with the Holy Spirit. But even here we must be careful to note that even our new man in Christ still needs the power of the Holy Spirit working through the Word and Sacraments...Pastor Lassman

[adamurkow]

your works aren't anything you do on your own, but what God does through you. your works are what God can and does do with your faith.

[xxzzxx99]

Self righteousness is a danger that you can fall into if you do good works. The devil will certainly tempt you with this new temptation if you begin good works. However, it does not have to be the case. Jesus performed plenty of good works. And he remained humble. (not self righteous) And I believe He wanted us to imitate Him. His Golden rule: "Love one another as I have Loved you." SO to imitate Christ, I must perform good works. (How can you love one another without good works?)

[nschaub]

Yes we are to do good works..and self-righteousness is only a danger not a foregone conclusion. The point is you can't TRUST in BOTH God's grace and your own works. Pastor Lassman

[moali68]

how utterly confusing.

[nschaub]

Hi..thanks for your comment. I'm sorry it was confusing. ..can you tell me which part and maybe I can clarify...Pastor Lassman

[6gording6]

Not really.Its a gift of God.

[nschaub]

your bad works come from your flesh which christians still have (Rom. 7 and Gal 5)..Salvation is NOT a process but Sanctification is a process. You do good works not to be saved but because you are saved..assuming that you are faithful until death (Rev. 2:10)..Thanks Pastor Lassman

[xxzzxx99]

If I am saved through my faith then why should I do any good works. THere is no point. I am saved so I might as well go out there and have sex with as many women as possible, sell drugs and not work. I am saved. I am going to heaven. So I can do whatever I want

[nschaub]

Well how about because of what God did for you in His Son? That would be a pretty good motive.........Pastor Lassman

[bteto74]

Clarify this for me. If I am saved and good works are a consequence of me being saved then where do my bad works come from? salvation is a process... check this out Iam saved,I am working for my salvation and I have Faith that I am going to be saved.

[6gording6]

Actually salvation is not a process,sanctification is a process.Your bad works are that which come from the flesh,which is that part of you that the spirit doesnt like and you dont want to do.Paul had this problem and explained what was happening.So yea the flesh is that part that does evil works,and of course we feel bad because we have the spirit,but we should condemn ourselves rather pray to be sanctified.Sanctified means becoming more like Jesus,but once we are saved we are sealed.

[onlineministries]

To understand James 2 you have to start at James 1. Hes talking to those already in the faith, believers, "beloved brethren"...hes calling those who are in Christ to put their faith in action and avoid the consequences of sin in our physical lives, not spiritual.

[nschaub]

I agree......very well said.......Pastor Lassman

[nschaub]

WE do good works because we are new creatures in Christ and WANT to do good works...Romans 6:1-11..Pastor Lassman

[unsungmatt]

Yes the book of James is confusing. BUT if Gods gift to us is free then why do we have to work for it. I'm not saying we're not suppose to do works and be lazy, I'm just saying works doesn't give us salvation faith does.

[BELIEVERINCRIST]

read THE KING JAMES BIBLE AND LEARN ETH TRUTH!!

[dan0898]

"Do you see that by works a man is justified; and not by faith only?" James 2:24

[nschaub]

True. But that doesn't mean that faith alone makes us right with God...Pastor Lassman

[GerusalemOrder]

Jesus said Faith without works is DEAD !