In my opinion, too much time is spent arguing over whether works (obeying the Law) is needed to be saved (not that it saves, few believe that) but if you say you are a believer do you have to obey the laws and if you don't then you are not a believer.
This leads to a new form of legalism, now you are judged if you are Christian or not by which laws you obey. If we cannot obey them all (which is a question for a later date) then we must choose which are the 'important ones' others must obey, or how many times before it is a 'continuous sin' so you aren't/weren't a believer. Or we can say forget the law, I'm saved by grace and I don't need to worry about it. (which leads to it's own obvious problems).
What if we looked at it this way instead.
Do you want to go to heaven?
Now, heaven is where God's will is willingly done by all, that is what makes it so heaven(ly) So is your will to do God's will, if so, shouldn't you be starting to try to do God's will now?
This becomes a salvation of transformation. As we desire God's will more and more in our lives we, by the work of the Spirit and willing actions on our part, (another topic for later) become transformed into people who naturally do God's will.
Notice here that 'salvation' becomes an attitude of the heart. Works becomes a natural outflowing of the changed life, but one that is best noticed by the person who's life is being changed. It allows for failure because transformation is a lifelong process, but it also requires a constant searching of the heart for those areas that still have not been changed. No judging others, no trying to figure out who is the 'real christian' by their behavior, which can be easily faked. Those who say, "I desire to follow, but here is where I need to grow" are considered believers, those who do no are not.
It seems too simple to me so I appreciate your comments.
Each of the first three responses have missed the point. Most Christian denominations don't believe we are 'saved' by works, but at the same time after a person becomes a Christian there is either pressure put on them to obey the law to prove they are really a Christian, or told that obeying the law does not matter because they are saved by grace. This is the whole 'works/grace' issue, although it is not about being saved it becomes the issue by 'showing that you were really saved', or 'not backsliding away and losing your salvation. (again, another issue)
Each of the first three responses have missed the point. Most Christian denominations don't believe we are 'saved' by works, but at the same time after a person becomes a Christian there is either pressure put on them to obey the law to prove they are really a Christian, or told that obeying the law does not matter because they are saved by grace. This is the whole 'works/grace' issue, although it is not about being saved it becomes the issue by 'showing that you were really saved', or 'not backsliding away and losing your salvation. (again, another issue)
This leads to a new form of legalism, now you are judged if you are Christian or not by which laws you obey. If we cannot obey them all (which is a question for a later date) then we must choose which are the 'important ones' others must obey, or how many times before it is a 'continuous sin' so you aren't/weren't a believer. Or we can say forget the law, I'm saved by grace and I don't need to worry about it. (which leads to it's own obvious problems).
What if we looked at it this way instead.
Do you want to go to heaven?
Now, heaven is where God's will is willingly done by all, that is what makes it so heaven(ly) So is your will to do God's will, if so, shouldn't you be starting to try to do God's will now?
This becomes a salvation of transformation. As we desire God's will more and more in our lives we, by the work of the Spirit and willing actions on our part, (another topic for later) become transformed into people who naturally do God's will.
Notice here that 'salvation' becomes an attitude of the heart. Works becomes a natural outflowing of the changed life, but one that is best noticed by the person who's life is being changed. It allows for failure because transformation is a lifelong process, but it also requires a constant searching of the heart for those areas that still have not been changed. No judging others, no trying to figure out who is the 'real christian' by their behavior, which can be easily faked. Those who say, "I desire to follow, but here is where I need to grow" are considered believers, those who do no are not.
It seems too simple to me so I appreciate your comments.
Each of the first three responses have missed the point. Most Christian denominations don't believe we are 'saved' by works, but at the same time after a person becomes a Christian there is either pressure put on them to obey the law to prove they are really a Christian, or told that obeying the law does not matter because they are saved by grace. This is the whole 'works/grace' issue, although it is not about being saved it becomes the issue by 'showing that you were really saved', or 'not backsliding away and losing your salvation. (again, another issue)
Each of the first three responses have missed the point. Most Christian denominations don't believe we are 'saved' by works, but at the same time after a person becomes a Christian there is either pressure put on them to obey the law to prove they are really a Christian, or told that obeying the law does not matter because they are saved by grace. This is the whole 'works/grace' issue, although it is not about being saved it becomes the issue by 'showing that you were really saved', or 'not backsliding away and losing your salvation. (again, another issue)