PARADOXICAL

Salvation by faith is a basic Christian tenet. This is something Martin Luther didn't like! What he insisted upon was salvation by faith alone (Sola fide). He found the Book of James offensive and erroneous because the Book James says you can't be saved without doing good works. (Further, Luther believed in sola Scriptura, that the Bible is the sole basis of truth and Church tradition is to be rejected.)

The funny thing is, while man is hopeless without God (that's what salvation by faith ultimately implies), he can't be saved without doing good works. Luther found this contradictory when it is not. It is, in fact, complementary.

This is because a life of faith automatically means a life of good works.

Still, it's not your good work that will save you. Ultimately, it's your faith in God
that will.

If you think about it, a soul is really useless in the whole scheme of things. If it disobeys God, God's plan is somewhat disturbed, but God can always raise up or train another soul whom He hopes will be more faithful and obedient.

In the final analysis, even the will to do good, to do good works, is grace, is a privilege, is an honor.

We don't do God a favor when we submit to doing His will. He's the one doing us a huge favor. It sounds illogical, but it's not. Ask any accredited theologian and he'll find this intellectually sound.

posted by Resty Odon  # 8:40 PM