Hi Joyce, This is the best way I can explain it....
"What I believe is that James and Matthew give a good example of what I mean. I believe that James 2:15-16 and Matthew 25:33-46 are both perfect examples of what I am saying. It's in plain English. I understand that MT 25:32 says "all nations", and whether the Jews are included in that or not is debatable. However, simply put, SOMEONE didn't do what they were supposed to do, i.e. feed the hungry, give a drink to the thirsty, take in a stranger, clothe the naked, or visit the sick and imprisoned. And their end was everlasting punishment."
Neither James nor Jesus in Matthew were promoting Law-based works for salvation. BUT, they were promoting good works for salvation. Otherwise, why did those who didn't do the works end up in everlasting punishment?
I have another point that I have never heard a satisfactory answer from anyone who believes in the same salvation for all dispensations. Basically, we know we are saved by simply believing that Jesus died for our sins. Some say we are saved by faith. But that is not true. We are saved BY grace THROUGH faith. Essentially, we have to have faith to believe the gospel. That's easy. But what about those in other dispensations? Some say they had to have faith to be saved, and I would agree. Faith is the vehicle for salvation in all dispensations. But WHAT was that faith in, say, under the Law?
Simply put, before Jesus died, NO ONE was saved by believing that he died for their sins because it had not yet happened. So what was it that their faith was directed at? How about during the tribulation? Sure, they will look back at the death, burial, and resurrection. But they will also have to have works. How else do they escape the mark of the Beast? |
