Justification

desiringGod.org

[@KeithThompson52]

Amen..What a wonderful & glorious thing it is that we are not justified by our works but that our works prove our being justified.

[@TheB1nary]

Michael G because our works prove our justification. Spoiler alert: reformed theology has always taught that!

[@nicholascarter6543]

It doesn’t seem that’s what he’s saying. I’ve watched so many of his videos to “give him a fair chance” but I still see errors in things he says. He says there are 2 different justifications and we are justified by our fruits (as a witness that we believe) . That is heresy to say we are justified by OUR FRUITS or even to say that our salvation is only at a later time when our fruits will validate our salvation or invalidate... The Gospel is simple. Believe in Jesus,His death atonement for you,resurrection and ascension. We need to believe on Him and His sacrifice to be saved. It is His Righteousness that saves us,not ours. If I’m misunderstanding him,apologies..however,Piper speaks with a lot of big words and uses a lot of terminology that is not found in the Bible. A lot of concepts that are drawn from his own school of thought. Sorry but I DO NOT trust this guy. Jesus is Lord! Peace. I will not respond to critics who are stuck in their ignorant philosophical “CONCEPTS” and refuse the evidence that clearly shows the contrary. Ya,arrogance and ignorance and pride all wrapped up together. Praying for him ❤

[@nicholascarter6543]

Piper is wrong on many things. However,I believe that fruits are evidence that we are saved HOWEVER ..YOU ARE NOT ALLOWED TO JUDGE WHO IS SAVED AND WHO ISNT. YOURE NOT SAVED BY OBEDIENCE BECAUSE LOOK AT DAVID. IF ONE WERE TO OBSERVE DAVID AND HIS ACTIONS AT THE TIME HE SEEN BATHSHEBA AND DID WHAT HE DID,PIPER WOULD HAVE SAID “HE IS NOT SAVED.” YPU’RE WRONG BROTHER..JUST WRONG. CHRIST IS LORD!

[@nicholascarter6543]

I agree with what you said brother. Amen!!

[@follow_the_way]

Eternal life in Christ is given freely by God to all and obtained through our obedience to His commands. All who want eternal life in Christ just have to obey Him.

[@robertmckay6315]

Piper i think is right on his explanation of justification and imputation through faith alone and not through any of the fruits of the Spirit. To be imputed with the righteousness of Christ by faith alone.

[@sujithmedari1852]

@@alexanderalbano5897 - Thank you brother for your input, but in my humble study of scriptures this is what I earnestly walked away with (being in the faith for about 10 years). Obeying Jesus and following His commandments are a fruit of being saved. He does not ignore regeneration as a part of speaking about justification. This is what he means that we must be united to Christ through faith (have a rebirth through faith), which is necessary for salvation as you have mentioned. If one claims that he is a Christian without love for Christ and increasing obedience to His commandments, I would doubt that He is. Works is essential to identify those who are truly Christian, but works is also not the means by which we are saved. The below verse is where I was able to come to this conclusion. God bless. Ephesians 2 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

[@fredarroyo7429]

@@sujithmedari1852 Obedience is required for salvation not a byproduct of salvation. Obedience will not earn us heaven, it is required for Grace that saves us from hell, which is why obedience is required for salvation/Grace

[@bynumai]

Wow, such a timely message. I've been searching for a video like this for such a long time. Thank you!

[@lynnmcintosh]

I totally agree. Anger is what I have felt lately, it kills our spirit to see good and to see God too

[@blessedwithoutmeasur]

Justification is a free gift once a person is saved, He is the rightousnes of God that is by faith it all goes together, faith that works by Love which we were bore into in Christ

[@jameszimmerman2965]

I had to listen for a minute, but this was really good-thankyou! I think when people try to make the "fruit" the prerequisite, they really don't comprehend the righteousness of GOD. HALLELUJAH! (I didn't intend it...but that statement alone really exposes all of the false arguments against, Justification by Faith). HALLELUJAH! JESUS gives us such pure joy. HALLELUJAH! Amen.

[@donboniface9173]

The Catholic view of Salvation is that Christ’s death is a sacrifice of atonement (see Leviticus chapter 5). Christ offers himself, not just nails through his wrists, but his whole life is a offering given to God. Holy Week is Christ displaying before our very 👀 the ethic that he commands for us. Christ surrenders himself to wicked men who martyr him, not God killing Christ, but us. Not as a penal substitution but as a martyr to charity, holiness and righteousness. As Paul says he took on the nature of a servant, obedient to death on a Cross, therefore God exalted him. If you follow Imputed Justification the rest of the Bible (mostly about moral behavior and warnings) makes no sense.

[@dangodaikazoku262]

Wow this definitely hits home!

[@gtepp031387]

Yes this issue was worked out a long time ago by Augustine in his letter on "grace and free will"

[@gtepp031387]

"he fails to note that faith ITSELF is a fruit of the spirit." Well said. If it was simple our act of faith, and not the grace being the driving force behind the faith,(meaning that it was really the grace that gave the faith that connected us to Christ)then John Piper has made a huge error. He is teaching that by our act and work of faith we are saved, rather then by the work of GODS grace (faith),which is one of many of the works of grace. I wonder what his responce to this would be?

[@fearitselfpinball8912]

John, sometimes I disagree with you but I love you for this video. Wonderful. Do you agree that 2 Peter 1:9 (not an oft-quoted verse) is making your point (in the negative)? The passage that precedes it talks about adding to faith goodness, to goodness something else - adding adding adding... this is the fruit. Keep adding and you won't be unproductive in your knowledge of Jesus. Then when you get to verse 9 it says something almost completely unexpected - that those who lack these qualities have "forgotten that they have been cleansed from past sins.". What does that have to do with all this adding and adding? The answer seems to be: everything. I love you.

[@twowitnessesoftheson]

Amen my brother,, Peace be with you...

[@twowitnessesoftheson]

Forgiveness and salvation are two different things

[@jonttu1960]

No, there is no forgiveness without salvation and there is no salvation without forgiveness.

[@victormashatt6358]

The faith required is the very gift of God. You forgot to mention that. Surely since it is, fruit will come of it as faith looks to Christ the vine from whom fruit flows. Your explanation was convoluted.

[@johndodson8464]

Yeah, right, Mr. DOUBLE JUSTIFICATION.

[@gtepp031387]

Not to be mean but some advise from a former Protestant "be not highminded, but fear."...."with fear and trembling work out your salvation."....do not abandon the fear of GOD, as your Protestant brothers have, they shall recieve a swift condemnation.

[@NickGypps]

I think NT Wright's scholarship makes exegetical sense. Paul's letters actually make sense when they are seen through the lens of God's covenant faithfulness to bless the whole world through the true Israel: Messiah. Righteousness to Paul was being included in the covenant community, not being endowed with Christ's moral virtue. However, I do not deny that through the Holy Spirit we have true life, and are in mystical union with Christ. In that sense we are already spotless and blameless.

[@theearstohear]

As Piper metions the "fruits" of patience and love which he says result from our justification, he fails to note that faith ITSELF is a fruit of the spirit. Justification is a declaration of righteousness. We are declare righteous in the courtroom of God by the blood of Christ, PERIOD. We are declared righteous in our own experience by faith which lays hold of this preexisting truth. We are declared righteous in the eyes of others by works which demonstrate our faith.

[@QuisutDeusmpc]

We are reborn through faith and baptismal regeneration (initial justification). We then grow or increase in our justification by our faith working through love - doing works of Christian charity by grace, the works that God has prepared beforehand that we would do which He works in us through His good pleasure. Justification is both an initial encounter with Jesus Christ in faith and baptismal regeneration AND an ongoing process whereby we are infused with the righteousness of Christ.

[@ABHISHEK3960]

Already complicated it with your tradition and have forsaken the teaching of Scripture on Justification

[@monkaZETTA]

What a horribly messed up theology.

[@catholicocdpodcast]

You are exactly right! Anyone who disagrees with you has no idea what the scriptures say. We enter into a living justifying union with Christ with our initial justification by grace alone through faith alone. Protestants are right with this and they agree with St. Paul AND the council of Trent that our initial justification can not be merited. We can not produce fruits of love until we are grafted into Christ. However, once we are grafted into the righteous vine of Christ, we can truly grow and increase in our union with his righteousness. This is an increase of justification. This is the justification of the godly that james speaks of, while Paul in romans 3 and 4 speaks of the justification of the ungodly. Once we are made godly through our justification by faith that leads us to baptism, then we can increase in the righteousness of Christ.

[@twowitnessesoftheson]

Yes, I agree that all are forgiven yet all are not saved. Jesus gave His life as a ransom for many not all. The Father does have a heart bigger than we can possibly imagine yet people choose to follow the world and Satan. Why? We are tainted. No not one is without sin. Jesus paid the price to open the Way but we must will ourselves to walk in it. We still have free will. Our choices dictate the outcome of our lives and the destination of our souls. The Way was shut before Jesus.

[@MarkfromAustralia]

He is simply wrong and un scriptural James 2:24 "You see that a person is justified by what he does and not by faith alone." 1 Corinthians 13:2 "And if I should have prophecy and should know all mysteries, and all knowledge, and if I should have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. " Man is saved by ( Divine and Catholic) Faith, Hope and Charity

[@psallen5099]

The Catholic church actually teaches that being saved by Jesus is a three-step process. In the Gospels, in almost all cases when Jesus was speaking, he was speaking to the Jews. Step one for the Jews is that they had to believe that he was the son of God. If they don’t believe that, then they won’t believe any other instructions he has for them. The second step is for those that already believe in him. That is what Jesus told the rich man in (Matthew 19:17) - “if you would enter into life, keep the commandments” and (Matthew 7:21) - "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. The third step is receive the sacraments that Jesus instituted by the examples of his life. Firstly he demonstrated the sacrament of Baptism. John 3:5 - “unless a man is born again of water and the Holy Ghost, he cannot enter the kingdom of heaven”. Secondly he demonstrated the sacrament of Holy Communion very plainly and explicitly. In (John 6:53-59) Jesus states “Except you eat my flesh and drink my blood you shall not have life in you”, and “He that eats my flesh has everlasting life”. In (Matthew 26:28) all the pieces come together - “DO this in memory of me, for THIS is my body and this is my blood, the blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins”. There have been hundreds of Eucharistic miracles in the Catholic Church to back this up. Look up “Eucharistic miracle of Buenos Aires” on youtube.

[@SityAnalytics]

@MarkfromAustralia Very good and clear point. Faith alone is unbiblical and wrong. Faith Alone does not exist in the Bible. Interesting the new perspective of NT Wright about Paul. What we need is work + faith = love. "And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love." 1 Cor 13:13 Love is clearly above faith. Have also a look at the judgement of non-christian in Matthew 25. Have a nice day.

[@jgallete]

@SityAnalytics - True. I don't see the Bible showing anything other than salvation by grace through faith. Obviously that faith produce good works, which is how James said you demonstrate that faith to the world. I do not think that good works could have anything to do with salvation. I think they're fruit of salvation.

[@jmmanley]

@WotchDis i have to agree, and that's without reading any detail exegesis he's done. I've been Reformed (like Piper) for a few years, and lately began to feel like as much as the Reformed tradition had it "right," there were things that it was missing. I think NT Wright and the NPP seeks is uncovering those things, although (like all movements) imperfectly.

[@akimoetam1282]

John Piper: NT Wrights Gospel is confusing! Also John Piper:

[@MadMaxFuryRose]

I thought Piper made his points clear and concise: We are saved by justification through faith, and though good works are the fruit of this salvation, they are not the root, justification through faith is the root. I don't know what NT Wright says btw.

[@MarkfromAustralia]

Matthew 7:21 "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who DOES the will of my Father who is in heaven.

[@sujithmedari1852]

You are right brother. Jesus' own clarification on what the will of the Father explains it best. God bless. John 6:40 - For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in him should have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day.

[@gtepp031387]

As you can see i have nothing to boast about as the grace of GOD first gave me life and a free will, then it gave me faith, then it gave me the abiltity to submit my free will, then it gave me the ability to endure, and it is also the what does the works of GOD....it however does not take away my free will to reject it at anytime thus the command "continue in his goodness" makes perfect sence, well to me, I can see your theology has many holes.

[@harryc2618]

We must stay away from teaching persuasive theology, get into exegesis of scripture, focus on the cross, serve needs, understand the Church's purpose, and share our witness. Focusing on theology, creates doctrine and inspires ideas like, far right Calvinism, "the unforgivable sin of divorce", and other counter-productive doctrines. Moreover, it glorifies doctrine, inspires law, takes the focus off of scripture, and creates fruitless arguing. 1 Corinthians 1:17 "For Christ did not send me to baptize but to preach the gospel, and not with words of eloquent wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power."

[@gtepp031387]

faith ALONE...another intresting word for word contridiction..."Not by faith alone" ~ James 2:24........I am saved by grace alone, I recieved grace when I was baptized into the life, death and ressurection of Christ, and as I walk in grace I recieve "grace for grace"(John 1:16) which ablity to walk was given by grace(but not in such a way as to remove my other gift of free will)...If I continue in his goodness i shall recieve "salvation through sanctification"(2 Thess 2:13).

[@jayrellepaulmemoria2893]

Amen

[@gtepp031387]

What James is saying is that if you accept the first work of the grace of GOD(faith) but then reject the grace that gave the faith, not allowing it to do the rest of it's works(LOVE, Hope, charity...ect) then that faith is dead and can not save, becaues it does not have the grace to norish it....thus faith alone is disproven....grace alone yes faith alone = word for word heresy!

[@naturalmorphine3353]

Faith in the Greek, is a verb.

[@christislife9738]

False. Its a Feminine noun, "pistis"

[@twowitnessesoftheson]

If you are born again then you are no longer bound by sin. To be born again is to be born of the Spirit and if you are born of the Spirit then you follow His guidance. If you follow His guidance then you will not sin. If all were born again then there would be none who sin. Your words are empty and I pray that you see your error.

[@NicholasBurgher]

Questions: what are you saying imputed and behavioral righteousness "are both crucial" to at 21 seconds? Are they both crucial to eternal life or to receiving rewards in heaven, or for the effectiveness Christ on the lives of others? What's the underlying "goal" we are all after? At 2:33, what do you mean, "as they should be"? What do you mean at 4:00 that if we aren't producing fruits we aren't born again? Is it that we do not have eternal life, or are we just choosing to live in our old life, therefore not living as one who has been born again? I'm not arguing, I just want to understand Desiring God's stance on what is absolutely necessary for salvation? Thanks for any input you can provide.

[@jrodproductionstudios9587]

Nicholas Burgher he’s pretty much saying that if you are justified by faith alone, a righteous life will occur as a natural result. Works do not save you, but will come as a result to show that you have an actual, genuine, saving faith.

[@twowitnessesoftheson]

I understand we are forgiven by the mercy and grace brought to us by Jesus, but that does not mean that all are born again. To be born again is an active and willing choice to turn from the wiles of the world to follow the Holy Spirit. You said that you asked the Holy Spirit to teach you daily and I am sure He has, but you have confused the Truth in your own mind. We are forgiven. This is true and opens the way. If we do not repent and come away from the world we cant enter into eternal life.

[@theearstohear]

@gtepp031387 - That's correct. My father calls Piper's teaching "salvation by faith through grace" where the bible's teaching is "salvation by grace through faith." Though Piper is highly touted, his theology is riddled with exegetical and systematic issues.

[@twowitnessesoftheson]

My God! What a blaspheme. Do you really think that Jesus gave His life so that people could sin all they want and still inherit eternal life? Jesus said that in the last days it would be like the days of Noah. Only eight people out of the whole world were saved. Think again and read the gospels. Jesus reveals the Truth if you are willing to see it.

[@theearstohear]

@theearstohear - Piper's assertion that the only way way have union with Christ is through faith is balderdash. We were CHOSEN in Christ before the world began (Eph 1:4). That is covenantal union. We were REPRESENTED in Christ at Calvary. (I Pet 3:18) That's redemptive union. We were QUICKENED in Christ at regeneration (John 5:25). That's vital union. All of these unions occur prior to the exercise of faith in time for a NT believer.

[@gtepp031387]

3) There is no condemnation to one that abides in the grace of GOD....BUT...you must "continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off." Romans 11:22...Paul is reffering to the tree of life in this passage. Now there is a difference between venial sin and mortal sin, and whoever teaches that one can commit a mortal sin and not be condemned is a liar...."There is a sin leading to death...All unrighteousness is sin, and there is a sin not leading to death."(1 John 5:16-17)

[@SityAnalytics]

@jgallete I do not know any Christian denomination that does not accept the following: "Salvation is by free Grace of God", obviously we cannot save ourselves alone! The problem is faith "alone", not faith. Bible show examples of men saved by faith, but other examples of men saved by "actions". Matthew 25 has been always an interesting case to me. Faith alone is another old heresy, much earlier than Luther.

[@ideologger]

@jmmanley One wonders where the Holy Spirit is in all of these deliberations- if He were as personal and interactive as so many claim, would our theology not have corrected by now?

[@livefromtexas9371]

Walk after the Spirit and we will not fulfill the lust of the flesh.

[@twowitnessesoftheson]

If we are lukewarm then He will spew us out of His mouth. Your teachings are correct but incomplete. Our forgiveness is not based upon our works, but our salvation is. Our forgiveness is because of the final work of Jesus Christ. Our salvation can only come by following Him. Our forgiveness is free and offered to all. Our salvation will cost us the world for we cannot truly be His as long as we are of it. Those who desire to follow Him have the kingdom of God within not all people. Pray.

[@ideologger]

@Bongobutt123 But why does the Holy Spirit give guidance that is so incredibly different to different people? Does the Holy Spirit repudiate objectivity in favor of total subjectivity? Muslims, Mormons and Catholics are given witness by the Holy Spirit to the truth of their faith- why fight over everything?

[@SityAnalytics]

@jgallete Salvation by works does not exists in the Bible. It is an old heresy (Pelagianism or Pelagianism-like, old and new) that S. Augustine already rebutted for good some 16 centuries ago. Sadly the Catholic Church, that holds Augustine in such high esteem, for centuries forgot about it - power corrupts.

[@twowitnessesoftheson]

Then why do not all people profess Jesus as Lord? Why do not all people follow the Way of love? If you are born of the Spirit then you cannot do evil. There is much evil live in this world. Do you even know what you are saying?

[@SavioursServant]

Thankyou Sir.

[@fredarroyo7429]

We will not be in union attached by faith alone, but by behavioral righteous ness. He says to those with faith he says depart from me i never knew you( union)

[@jgallete]

@SityAnalytics - I'd say 'Salvation by works' does not exist in the Bible. Do you believe that there's a contradiction between Romans 4 and James 2?

[@twowitnessesoftheson]

My friend, the good news is only for those who are called by the Father for none come to the Son unless drawn by the Father. This is why Jesus said to those who have ears. All may be forgiven but not all are saved. It is not by our works but without works our faith in Him is dead. He places before us every day good and evil, right an wrong. If we are truly born again then we will thirst for righteousness and seek goodness ALL THE TIME. There is no halfway. All or nothing, hot or cold...

[@tripphoward]

OK, but does this same justification get you into heaven?

[@aluke6059]

Biblically speaking, yes

[@gtepp031387]

"in Ephesians 2:9 that salvation is by faith alone least people should boast." Nope it doesn't it says salvation is by grace through faith(not alone that word alone only appears in James 2:24). You misunderstand the type of works I am speaking of, which is probely why you left the church....I am not saying it is by my work, but by the works of GOD(one of which is faith), my job is to let the spirit work in me by submitting my free will, I am not able to save myself

[@spark300c]

concept that faith enable people to follow the law. if believe will fire burn you, would you put you hand in the fire. No, if believe then you will not put you hand in fire. it product of your belief. This why Luther said by faith lone but faith is never alone.

[@blessedwithoutmeasur]

romans 5:17 it was a exchange , we are rightous through the blood without the law because of Jesus, God's not worried about imputing rightousness to you, you can't seperated it we are justified made rightous by the blood

[@roxykattx]

If you don't have the faith, how do you get it?

[@Stanzi18]

John 3:3. You must be born again.

[@marcelwillieniles3816]

It's a gift that flows from the new birth...

[@troutdog1343]

Piper: "NT Wright is too confusing when he talks about justification" Then he makes this video..

[@nesvadi]

:D

[@akimoetam1282]

Lol

[@betterthanlife499]

"NT Wright is NT Wrong" -John MacArthur

[@allendees233]

Mixing scantificaltion and justification

[@gtepp031387]

Several problems with your last comment. 1) Angles can and have sinned, I deposite Satan and the fallen as my proof. As well the blessed apostle Paul believed that it was possible that an angle could come to us and preach another gosple(Gal 1:8...that would have to be a fallen angle and one that sinned....Muslems believed an angle came to Muhammad). 2) If the angles are in fear of GOD and not becaues he kill the soul and the body in hell, they are in direct contridiction to Matthew 10:28

[@Rbl7132]

Play music in the background is manipulative of emotions. Totally unnecessary

[@DNYS8N]

Confusing

[@GamingandFrightened]

So...something i've been wondering. So, let's say a gay person accepts Christ. He loves Jesus and His sacrifice. He prays daily, worships God, feels lead to help the poor and does so. His fruits are that of a good Christ follower...except he's a practicing homosexual. According to justification he is made righteous the moment he accepted Christ into his heart but that one part of his life hasn't changed...yet by his fruits we see he follows Christ. I think many Christians have lingering sins...greed, lust, idol worship and it's a good bet many of us will die before we ever either realize we were doing it or just never repented. So, my question is...how do we respond to a gay person who received justification in Christ, whose fruits are good (Except for that one part in their life and let's face it...NO Christian has perfect fruits)...how do we respond? What should we believe of this situation?

[@GamingandFrightened]

Traci Jahnke True. What you are describing is sanctification. It's a process everyone must go through.

[@tracijahnke4393]

Jeremy Jones I believe if that person you are referring to truly belongs to Christ, then eventually his sin of practicing homosexuality will grieve him and he will be changed.

[@GamingandFrightened]

Traci Jahnke Wanting to change and being changed sadly are too very different things. I know of plenty of homosexuals who have given their heart to God. They love Jesus deeply and I do not question their salvation...however they still struggle with being homosexual despite constant prayer and pleading to be free from it.

[@predspete2625]

Jeremy Jones The more beautiful Christ is to you, the more ugly sin is to you and vice versa. One cannot worship two masters.

[@qwertymex]

Traci Jahnke Are you free from anger?

[@thatomofolo452]

😮😮😮

[@GRACEismyGOODWORKS7]

This is a heresy. You inherit God's righteousness and holiness by FAITH. You receive it in the spirit and that's why you can't see it in the flesh.

[@LaFedelaIglesia]

Good works come from grace, but they are required for final justification.

[@GRACEismyGOODWORKS7]

Santa Escritura JESUS is my GOOD WORKS. Only GOD is GOOD so GOD is my GOOD WORKS.

[@LaFedelaIglesia]

GRACE is my GOOD WORKS What do you base your belief on?

[@GRACEismyGOODWORKS7]

Santa Escritura My belief is in the Gospel that GOD provided the GOOD WORKS on the cross when He gave up his Own Son JESUS CHRIST. I have received the WORKS that God provided as a FREE GIFT: I have received JESUS as my GOOD WORKS.

[@jenniferwayne6017]

GRACE is my GOOD WORKS ummm. That actually sounds exactly, precisely, in minute detail EXACTLY what Piper is explaining here.

[@joeyupston5227]

We r justified by Gods faith not ours

[@younghove01]

We are justified by faith alone in Jesus Christ. God doesn't have a problem with sin; we have the problem with sin which makes us need to, by faith, come to Him.

[@joeyupston5227]

If it takes faith to win Gods favour then I guess a mentally challenged person or a baby cant ever win Gods favour

[@younghove01]

Joey Upston Nobody said anything about winning and if they did then they are wrong.

[@johnnyknelsen3805]

There are many verses that speak of Justification by Faith. And to the one who does not work but believes in him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness (Romans 4:5) For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. (Ephesians 2:8-9) And be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith (Philippians 3:9) Yet we know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, so we also have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified (Galatians 2:16) Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ (Romans 5:1) God doesn't believe for us, nor does our faith earn His favour, faith itself is a gift from God. For to you it has been granted for Christ’s sake, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake (Philippians 1:29) I believe God does have a problem with sin, it does offend Him because He is holy. Your eyes are too pure to approve evil, And You can not look on wickedness with favor.. (Habakkuk 1:13) Because Jesus in His death satisfied the justice of God, He may now freely show mercy and grace to undeserving sinners like ourselves. We are saved entirely by the grace of God. Sincerely, Johnny

[@allendees233]

Wilberforce was right

[@zakbrownrigg1]

James 2 20 You foolish person, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless? 21 Was not our father Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? 22 You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did. 23 And the scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,” and he was called God’s friend. 24 You see that a person is considered righteous by what they do and not by faith alone.

[@cmdaniels1986]

"24 You see that a person is considered righteous by what they do and not by faith alone." Considered righteous before who? Not God. James is speaking about a living faith seen by others. Romans 4:2 - "If Abraham was Justified by works, he hath wherein to glory, BUT NOT BEFORE GOD"

[@Stanzi18]

We're justified by faith apart from works (Romans 3:28), but a genuine faith is not one that is alone and absent of works (James 2:24). Works are a fruit or byproduct of the faith that alone is necessary for justification. This is the most natural way to read these two passages harmoniously. The only other possibility is that they contradict and we know that the word of God does not contradict itself.

[@amazinggracechurch917]

John, there isn't need for you to canonize Calvin.

[@franciscafazzo3460]

faith doesn't create union sir; Christ himself does that . we believe in eternal union sir. you are an imposter.

[@gtepp031387]

No sin that leads to death, humm sounds like a word for word contridition of scriptiure, and I am very sorry for you lost of the true church that Jesus established and your entering a church that was started by men in the 1600s.

[@sworooptj1]

Too deep...

[@victormashatt6358]

When did you meet with the Pope for your information ? You confused and confusing. Your saying that the fruit I has a bearing on justification. Good job on saying a whole bunch of foolishness. Just admit you no longer hold to the reformed understanding of justification and sanctification.

[@paulwetzel8137]

Double speak

[@twowitnessesoftheson]

Blaspheme!

[@Sub2Investor]

Romans 2. 'nuff said.

[@Geir-Chirpa]

Amen