Quote:
Originally Posted by Evangelical
Receiving the Spirit IS salvation (Acts 10:44, Romans 8:9).
Righteousness and justification, IS salvation
https://carm.org/justification-and-sanctification
The cults consistently blur the meanings of the two terms and misapply the truths taught in God's word. The result is a theology of works' righteousness--of earning their salvation, which only leads to damnation. This is because by the works of the Law shall no flesh be justified (Gal. 2:16). Man cannot contribute to his salvation (Gal. 5:1-8). Man is sinful, and even his best deeds are stained and filthy before God (Isaiah 64:6). Therefore, making a person right before God can only be God's work (Gal. 2:20).
You would condemn Witness Lee for teaching deification but here you are espousing a doctrine of works like a Catholic. |
Yes, righteousness and justification are salvation. One form of salvation. Salvation from sins that you have committed.
But there is another form of salvation -- indicated by "work out your own salvation in fear and trembling".
If you ignore this form of salvation you are willfully ignorant.
There is a form of salvation that comes from godly sorrow which works in repentance unto salvation.
When Paul says that "I know that this will work out to me unto salvation" in Phillippians he isn't referring to the justification he received from Jesus shed blood.
Now you are the one who is confusing "justification" and "righteousness" with salvation. Because salvation includes confession. As Paul said in Romans "with the mouth confession is made unto salvation".
It is faith in the Lord's redemptive work on the cross that is reckoned as righteousness, not confession. These are not the same thing and should not be confused. You cannot have salvation without justification. You cannot have salvation without righteousness. This is what gives us a standing before God to seek for salvation. This is why James says that "the prayers of a righteous man avails much". Answered prayer is a form of salvation. Healing the sick is a form of salvation. Visiting orphans and widows in their trouble is a form of salvation. None of this counts as a work of faith unless it is standing on the faith in the Lord's redemptive work.
But if you claim you are standing on that redemptive work, then where is the salvation? If I cannot see any salvation that is a dead faith.
So then, without faith it is impossible to please God but that should not be understood to mean that a "faith without any expression" pleases God. The Bible doesn't say that.