07 Nov '08 19:43>1 edit
Good works that are performed in order to gain salvation can be said to be faulty in there motivation and origins.
As long as a man is thinking about salvation when performing good works or even in the pursuit of righteousness then his efforts are motivated by a search for salvation (ie selfishness) and not out of love.
The true and holy pursuit of righteousness and good works is done out of love and not some hidden motivation to get saved. As long as one lives in fear of not being saved then the love that God wants us to have in our hearts cannot thrive. It is only through assurance of salvation that good works can be performed as acts of love and gratitude to God.
To be on the receiving end of good works that are performed in order to "get saved" is not very nice (I have expereinced this) because it just doesn't feel right. The person is not focussed on love or you but on themselves and tryig to please God so he will save them. It's the same with someone who is trying to be righteous to get saved , it's all fear based - it's ugly and it's not love.
Such souls fear God and have no assurance and love cannot flourish in them because they do not know that God loves them unconditionally and cannot accept that he loves them just as they are (not as they should be). This leads them to not be able to accept others very well and have strong emotional reactions against those that claim that one can be saved and assured of it.
It's a simple choice , live in the house of fear , constantly searching for a salvation that never quite comes or live in the house of grace and love and be freed to love others for no other motive than gratitude and love itself.
I know which I prefer.
As long as a man is thinking about salvation when performing good works or even in the pursuit of righteousness then his efforts are motivated by a search for salvation (ie selfishness) and not out of love.
The true and holy pursuit of righteousness and good works is done out of love and not some hidden motivation to get saved. As long as one lives in fear of not being saved then the love that God wants us to have in our hearts cannot thrive. It is only through assurance of salvation that good works can be performed as acts of love and gratitude to God.
To be on the receiving end of good works that are performed in order to "get saved" is not very nice (I have expereinced this) because it just doesn't feel right. The person is not focussed on love or you but on themselves and tryig to please God so he will save them. It's the same with someone who is trying to be righteous to get saved , it's all fear based - it's ugly and it's not love.
Such souls fear God and have no assurance and love cannot flourish in them because they do not know that God loves them unconditionally and cannot accept that he loves them just as they are (not as they should be). This leads them to not be able to accept others very well and have strong emotional reactions against those that claim that one can be saved and assured of it.
It's a simple choice , live in the house of fear , constantly searching for a salvation that never quite comes or live in the house of grace and love and be freed to love others for no other motive than gratitude and love itself.
I know which I prefer.