This is the work (singular) of God (play on words) in contrast to what shall we do that we may work the works (plural) of God (legalistic approach) So, belief is not just another work in a series of works in a quest to obtain salvation by works. God imputes righteousness apart from works. (Romans 4:6) We are saved through faith, not works. (Ephesians 2:8,9)
It's not a lie that you teach salvation by faith "conjoined" with works and try to pass that off as salvation by grace through faith.
Asked and answered. Who obeys Jesus' New Testament commandments? Believers or unbelievers? To believe in the name of His Son, Jesus Christ in 1 John 3:23 is not a work for salvation but an acceptance of the person and work of Jesus Christ. (John 1:12) This belief is distinct from good works which result from saving faith in Christ. (Ephesians 2:8-10)
I answered your loaded question and salvation through faith is not salvation by good works. You are trying to turn belief in 1 John 3:23 into just another good work in a series of good works in a quest to receive salvation by good works. You tried to pull the same stunt with John 6:29. Not buying it Titus.
Since you teach that salvation is maintained by good works, do you believe the command to believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ in 1 John 3:23 is a command for unbelievers to initially come to believe and be saved or to believers to continue to believe and remain saved? Are we created in Christ Jesus for good works (Ephesians 2:10) or is it the other way around?
I did answer your question. Salvation by faith is not salvation by good works. You verbally confirm salvation by faith, but in practice, you emphasize human actions and obedience to rules as a prerequisite to receiving and maintaining salvation, which essentially undermines the concept of salvation as a free gift received by grace through faith and implies that individuals must somehow work for and merit (at least in part) salvation through their actions/performance. Yet you deny no merit is involved.
1 John 3:23 summarizes two Christian principles. To believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and to love one another as he commanded us. Titus turns this command into salvation by works and makes no distinction between faith and good works. To label believing as just another good work makes it easier for Titus to pool multiple other good works together and pass salvation by good works off as salvation through faith. Very crafty!
Hebrews 11:1 defines faith for us. Faith "is" the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. Titus' definition of faith "is" good works. It makes it easier for him to teach salvation by works that way, but it's all just smoke and mirrors.
Works-salvationists have not obeyed the command to believe. Titus does not understand the difference between believing and working. (Romans 4:4-6) It's one thing to obey a command in order to become saved and it's another thing to obey a command after we have been saved. For Titus everything is a command for salvation and a work for salvation. Such confusion!
Works of obedience are produced out of faith but are not the very essence of faith. Just like Roman Catholics you basically redefine faith 'as" works and make no distinction between faith and works. Roman Catholics make the same error and argue that faith "includes" - being water baptized, partaking the Lord's Supper during Mass, works of mercy and charity, obeying his commandments etc.. It's a package deal of mental assent belief "infused" with works righteousness disguised as salvation through faith. (Galatians 1:6-9)
Obeying the commandment to believe (1 John 3:23) is not a work for salvation and neither is obeying the gospel by choosing to believe the gospel. (Romans 10:16) Receiving a free gift is not working for salvation. From beginning (Ephesians 2:8) to end (1 Peter 1:9) we merit nothing through believing because through believing (Romans 3:24-26) we are trusting in Another's work (Christ's finished work of redemption). Jesus Christ receives all the merit.
I answered your loaded question and the gospel of Christ which is the
power of God unto salvation to everyone who
believes that I teach still stands. (Romans 1:16)
Your works based false gospel is easy to expose. (Romans 3:24-26; 4:5-6; 11:6; 1 Corinthians 1:18-21; 2 Corinthians 4:3,4)
Be sure to go back and thoroughly read through post #415. It cuts right to the heart of your error in regard to works salvation. Now apart from the imputed righteousness of God which is by faith and the blood of Christ to wash away our sins this is how God see's us - But we are all like an unclean thing and all our righteousnesses are like filthy rags.. (Isaiah 64:6)
Being accounted as righteous by works = merit no matter how much you try and sugar coat it. Paul refutes you. (Romans 4:2-6) So, no merit involved in obtaining and/or maintaining salvation by good works because you are simply doing what God says to do?
That makes about as much sense as winning a gold medal in the Olympics = no merit because I was just doing what my coach told me to do. See your logic? Seeking salvation by works is not obeying God. (Romans 4:2-6)
Salvation by faith is not meritorious works salvation until you "add" works to saved through faith, which you have. You even basically redefine faith "as" works. What a mess! Your gospel is an oxymoron.
Now there is a difference between doing God's will in order to become saved: John 6:40 - For
my Father’s will is that everyone who looks to the Son and
believes in Him shall have eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day.
AND
doing God's will after we have been saved: 1 Thessalonians 5:14 - Now we exhort you, brethren, warn those who are unruly, comfort the fainthearted, uphold the weak, be patient with all. See that no one renders evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue what is good both for yourselves and for all. 16 Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 in everything give thanks; for
this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
