A Merry Christmas to all!
Offline Before you shout at me about winter solstice and saturnalia I am not an ignorant person, I do not deny they were origins of most of our Christmas traditions like most Christians do. HOWEVER, these adoptions happened long before any of us can remember and they are so ingrained in our culture and have BECOME Christmas. Is a Christian inviting paganism into their home by doing these things? No, not at all. It is a matter of the heart. A Christian celebrates Jesus, the creator of the universe, humbling Himself by taking on flesh. Adopting traditions such as decorating trees and giving gifts does not make Him any less real.
Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
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This article is about doing good works to please allah. Christians are not asked to do good things to please God. Have faith in Christ, accept Him, and live for HlM. Christians do good works THROUGH Christ, not to earn His favor, which is what this imam is implying about allah.
In Romans, Paul says this:
Romans 4:2-5 ESV
For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God. For what does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness.” Now to the one who works, his wages are not counted as a gift but as his due. And to the one who does not work but believes in him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness,
Paul is specifically refering to circumcision, stating that it no longer matters whether you are circumcised or not, your faith is what matters. Even though he is refering to that specific act, the concept has a broad application to doing things to please God.
Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
James 2: 20-24 "But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead ? Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered Isaac his son on the alter ? Do you see that faith was working together with his works and by works faith made perfect ? And the scripture was fulfilled which says 'Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness' And he was called the friend of God. You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only."
and lastly, verse 25. "Likewise, was not Rahab the harlot also justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out another way ?"
As predicted that scripture was thrown out there. You are correct. Faith without works IS dead. If you say you have faith, and you aren't serving others, it is FALSE faith, and Christ is not working through you. however that scripture still doesn't say "do things to pleas God" because faith and works go hand. What that imam was saying "do good things to find favor with allah", not through faith, it will be written on your heart to do things through God. There is NOWHERE in Christianity that you can find "good deeds outweigh the bad"
Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
Hebrews 11:6 "And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him."
1 Thessalonians 2:4 "On the contrary, we speak as those approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel. We are not trying to please people...but God, who tests our hearts."
Hebrews 13:16 "And don't forget to do good and to share with those in need. These are sacrifices that please God."
Romans 8:8 "Those who are in the realm of the flesh cannot please God."
I think any honest person, after viewing these unedited scripture verses, would safely say "doing things to please God" is an important responsibility in and of itself...
1 Peter 2:20 "For what credit is there if, when you sin and are harshly treated you endure it with patience ? But if you do what is right and suffer for it you patiently endure it, this finds favor with God."
Acts 7:46 "David found favor with God and asked for the privilege of building a permanent Temple for the God of Jacob."
Luke 1:30 "But the angel said to her, 'Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God."
Nehemiah 5:19 "Remember me with favor, my God, for all I have done for these people."
Finding "favor with God" carries valuable dividends for the faithful servant. How did these people find God's favor ...by doing bad things ?