tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16818808.post114238827235584076..comments2023-10-16T05:20:27.672-05:00Comments on the Contender: Do you have the Son?EJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10885830096757444438noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16818808.post-1142711507576166142006-03-18T13:51:00.000-06:002006-03-18T13:51:00.000-06:00Eric,Nice topic. There must be a balance between s...Eric,<BR/>Nice topic. There must be a balance between stressing grace and works. I'm sure you would agree with me that the modern church has placed so much emphasis on the grace and love of God that people's lifestyles don't match up to their "claim" to be Christians. They want all of the benefits of God's salvation and forgiveness so they are quick to claim them, but in the meantime, their lives are totally apathetic to and void of a true love for God. That is where your phrase "easy believism" comes into play. It's easy to believe and claim something for yourself, but it is much harder to back up the genuine nature of that claim by your lifestyle. That is why good works and a genuine heart of repentance are so important - they validate that your claim of faith is real. The other danger, of course, is to place too much emphasis on works. This is also very dangerous because as Ephesians 2:8-9 clearly states, we are not saved by any kind of work. - Than again, Abraham was justified by his works according to James 2. Abraham proved his faith by his works. This topic can be confusing to people (especially to many unbelievers who think that good works are what help you make it to Heaven) Just for the record, I do think that our churches today could stress the works side just a bit more :)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com