Is this what you believe

[FriendlyFlower]

I believe I am saved by faith alone and grace, and not dry mechanical works, but I do believe we need to be obedient. Obedience is not the same as dry works to me. Would I be welcome in your church?

[AngelAmidala]

I think the best way to describe what United Methodists believe...is that we do believe one is saved by faith alone. However, we wind up doing works in faith. Like helping out at a church function. Technically that's a sort of work...but you're doing it in faith. So I guess it wouldn't be "dry" as you described. :)

[Celticflower]

I think the best way to describe what United Methodists believe...is that we do believe one is saved by faith alone. However, we wind up doing works in faith. Like helping out at a church function. Technically that's a sort of work...but you're doing it in faith. So I guess it wouldn't be "dry" as you described. :)


just to add to this...one of the affirmations of faith in the hymnal ends with these words:

"We believe that this faith should manifest itself in the service of love, as set forth by the example of our blessed Lord, to the end, that the kingdom of God may come upon the earth."

So the "works" are actually faith in action. You aren't supposed to just say you have faith--you are supposed to live it. And it doesn't have to be big things. Anything you do motivated by love and not personal gain is considered a "Work".

Celtie

[cheerchickie2]

I agree with you celticflower, i always get kinda confused when people talk about how you should i guess "rank" doing good deeds when talking about beign saved. The way i see it, if you truly live for God, then doing good deeds and "works" will just come naturally, and you won't do them to get saved but just because you want to.

[dsdumpling]

I believe I am saved by faith alone and grace, and not dry mechanical works, but I do believe we need to be obedient. Obedience is not the same as dry works to me. Would I be welcome in your church?
You would be welcome in my church no matter what you believed. I believe and this does not neccesarily reflect what the Methodist Church teaches that one is saved by grace. I believe that faith came a little further in my walk with the Lord and then my deeds came after that.

[WesleyJohn]

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[Celticflower]

Do my works save me? No, not really. Does my faith save me? No, not really. It is really all about God's grace, and my response to that grace. And even my faithful response is derived from God's grace.

Grace and Peace,

WJ



But you must have the faith (belief in things unseen) that the source of grace (God) is there to give you the gift of grace thru your faith.

Am I talking in circles?? Well, at least I won't get lost.

Celtie

[WesleyJohn]

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