One of the most common arguments I hear against Latter-day Saints is that we supposedly believe our works save us.
But that has never been my understanding of the gospel.
The debate is often framed as a choice between faith and works:
“Are you saved by faith?”
or
“Are you saved by works?”
I reject the premise.
Neither saves us.
Jesus Christ saves us.
His atoning sacrifice is the only reason any of us can overcome sin and death. No amount of good deeds could ever earn resurrection, forgiveness, or eternal life.
So if Christ saves us, why do works matter?
Because works are not about earning heaven. They are about becoming heavenly.
When Jesus said, “If ye love me, keep my commandments,” He was not giving us a payment plan for salvation. He was teaching us how disciples are transformed.
Our actions shape our character.
Our choices reveal our desires.
Our obedience helps us become more like Christ.
This is why scripture can teach both that we are saved by grace and that we will be judged according to our works.
Works do not purchase salvation.
Works reveal what we have become through our willingness to follow the Savior.
Notice that in the judgment of the sheep and the goats, Jesus does not ask people to explain a creed or recite a theological formula. He points to how they treated the hungry, the thirsty, the stranger, the sick, and the imprisoned.
Their actions revealed their hearts.
The gospel is not ultimately about checking doctrinal boxes or accumulating good deeds.
It is about becoming a new creature in Christ.
Christ saves us.
Faith is trusting Him.
Works are following Him.
And judgment reveals whether we truly did.
@semibuttnoid@realDrTT Thankfully we have religious freedom now, but it would be ignorant not to acknowledge that many people were killed over so called heresies in the past by the church owned government.
@The_RR9@AbiShuuwi Lol, you keep bringing these numbers that had nothing to do with the topic at hand, and you can't even explain what this has to do with anything. You're clearly retarded and/or mentally challenged. I can't continue going down this crazy train with you. Have a good life.
@The_RR9@AbiShuuwi What does "part 8 of 13" have anything to do with religion and why even bring it up? I feel like I'm talking to a literal crazy person with you throwing out comments that have nothing to do with topic at hand. Haha, you are literally making zero sense and it shows.
@BBQdTurnips@ThoughtfulSaint Well you're completely wrong and should do better. Bricks and Minifigs tried to shut it down but the CEO of Patreon told hem to stuff it. He also got money on GoFundMe. I also saw an interview from Reckless Ben saying the guy got more far more back when he was just owed 100k.
@The_RR9@AbiShuuwi Lol. What didn't I understand? It's funny how you accuse me of comprehension, when you're the one that said I shared multiple videos when I only shared one.
@BBQdTurnips@ThoughtfulSaint Lol. We're not accountable for other people's crimes you knucklehead. It's already been universally condemned and the guy has gotten more than his money back. That might be the stupidest comment I've read today, which is saying something.
@The_RR9@AbiShuuwi I shared a 4-min. video, not 13 you knucklehead, but you were still too lazy to watch it. You're entitled to your own opinion, but it's worthless when you know next to nothing about the topic. You're allowed to come to different conclusions, but at least be well informed about it
@The_RR9@AbiShuuwi Lol. What are you talking about? I shared one 4 minute video, and you're saying it was 13 videos. I don't know what you're smoking, but if you're too lazy to learn about something, then you shouldn't be commenting on it. It's honestly sad and pathetic. You can do better. Peace!
@The_RR9@AbiShuuwi You seem like a good guy. I just think you're misinformed about our religion, but I don't blame you because there are a lot of people that like to say misleading things about it and make caricatures of it when they hardly understand it. The B.o.M. is way too complex to dismiss it
@The_RR9@AbiShuuwi That's fine. I have no problem with you having different beliefs and religion, but you should learn more and read the Book of Mormon before making uninformed comments about our beliefs and religion.
@The_RR9@AbiShuuwi We can only speculate what the afterlife looks like, but 1 Corinthians 2:9 says the following:
However, as it is written: “What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived” the things God has prepared for those who love him.
@The_RR9@AbiShuuwi Romans 8:17
Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.
@The_RR9@AbiShuuwi You're a crazy liar and/or seriously misinformed. Nowhere in our scriptures does it say we'll get our own planet. However, the Bible says we can become joint heirs with Christ. It also says we can't conceive the things that God has prepared for those that love him