tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4240120207350912422.post2430349173026814647..comments2009-01-09T00:14:41.948-05:00fishindaddy - aka: Timhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05041117389785422687noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4240120207350912422.post-62745754889594297902009-01-08T10:50:00.000-05:002009-01-08T10:50:00.000-05:00Tim, First time to your new blog! Thanks for your posts.<BR/><BR/>Perhaps the consistent urgency in the NT for believers to have a "worthy walk" is that the basis of final judgment for all is consistently presented as "works" (cf. Rom 2.5ff).<BR/><BR/>True, this is not how one earns salvation, in the sense of making God indebted to us on the basis of our own merit. But, since salvation is talked about in the NT as ultimately a future reality (cf. Rom 5.6ff; of course also a past and present reality as well), and since works are viewed as indicators of who we truly are (i.e., indicators of the transformation that comes from participation in Christ), works function as a litmus test for those who will be vindicated/justified/saved at the final judgment.<BR/><BR/>So, as you rightly imply, there is no ultimate dichotomy between works and faith.<BR/><BR/>We just had a discussion about these ideas in Sunday school, so thought I'd comment . . .<BR/><BR/>Blessings!Justinnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4240120207350912422.post-86096627263698738652009-01-04T07:05:00.000-05:002009-01-04T07:05:00.000-05:00nice fish bones at the bottom of the post!Ruth A Stileshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00351244980858321618noreply@blogger.com