The way I see it, if you believe in the words of Jesus, you will follow his teachings. If you don't follow his teachings, it is persuasive evidence that you don't believe in his words.
A person can say he accepts Christ into his heart, and say he is saved -- but if he does not then follow the teachings of Jesus, it is a strong indication that he lied, and was not saved. Works are not needed for salvation, but what is needed is the state of mind in which works -- the fulfillment of the teachings of Jesus through your actions -- become inevitable.
Merely because you haven't done what Jesus commands us to do doesn't mean you are damned; but if you are saved, you will do what Jesus commands us to do, if you can in any possible way do it.
But there is no salvation in a priest waving his hand over a dying man; nor is there any salvation in a Protestant merely saying "I accept Christ into my heart." That's not enough in itself. You must accept Christ into your heart, and also be willing to act on the change this acceptance makes in your attitude toward the world and other human beings. Be willing to act ... not necessarily acting, because there will be occasions in which a man accepts Christ into his heart, with true sincerity, but has no opportunity to demonstrate his transformation and salvation through works. A man dying on a battlefield, for example.
Salvation depends on your state of mind and soul at the time of death. We can all be saved, right up until the transition of death, if we get our minds and hearts right with Christ.
But never undervalue works -- works are inevitable if you are right with God. Works don't prove you are right with God, but if there are no works when the opportunity exists to do them, it is a very strong indication that you are not right with God.
Well said and soundly thought.
An idea came my way last week that I have been thinking about lately: The thoughts we perish with, will be the thoughts we are resurrected with.
We do not know when we will give up the spirit, and death may come upon us all like a thief in the night; but if we have the thought of Jesus in our foreheads and His teachings in our actions (hands) then we will be sealed with the mark of God and we will rise to meet Him when He returns.
(post is archived)