You aren't saved by faith alone! Look at Galations 5:6 "faith working through love" saving faith is active! In Rom 3:28 "For we consider that person is justified by faith apart from works of the law," Paul is teaching that of the OT Mosaic law, such as circumcision, could not bring salvation.

In 1 Cor 13:2, St. Paul tells us that faith withou love(charity) is nothing(it cannot save). Charity means love of God, and Jesus says that if we love Him, we will keep His commandments (Jn 14:21). When the rich man asks Jesus what he must do to be saes, Jesus answers: "keep the cammandments"(Mt. 19:16-17).

Oh wait, there's more! Look at Jam 2:24,26.

We are saved by Gods' grace alone. Grace gives us faith and love(Eph 2:8-10). So we are saved by Gods' grace alone, not faith alone! Isn't that nice?!

-- Brandon (bubbi_fox@hotmail.com), February 25, 2001

Answers

Better than nice.

-- (_@_._), February 25, 2001.

Infinitely better than nice! Jesus said that faith the size of a mustard seed could move mountains. Well, I've never moved mountains, so I must not even have that tiny bit of faith. But God's grace and mercy are infinite. My faith might fail me, but HIs power never fails.

-Hannah

Mary, Mother of God, pray for us. Dear St. James, pray for us.

-- Hannah (archiegoodwin_and_nerowolfe@hotmail.com), February 25, 2001.

GRACE:

"the unmerited and abundant gift of God's love and favor to man",particularly made effective in Jesus Christ.

Galatians 5:4-6...You have become estranged from Christ, you who attempt to be justified by law; you have fallen from GRACE. For we through the Spirit eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness by faith. For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but faith working through love(Jesus).

-- SSM (non-catholic follower of Jesus Christ) (heartwjesus@yahoo.com), February 26, 2001.

and the line before:

Once again, I declare to every man who has himself circumcised that HE IS BOUND TO THE ENTIRE LAW.

They're arguing about Jewish law versus Apostolic law. Not Apostolic law versus no law but what you feel.

Don't quote out of context

............................

-- Anthony (fides_spes_et_caritas@hotmail.com), February 26, 2001.

Anthony(hope..faith.. and charity),

The way I am understanding these verses is that if you begin to keep the Law, you are obligated to keep all of it. Instead, Christians are to trust Jesus who makes them righteous.( Pauls words, not mine )

I thought you said that the Holy Spirit was helping you discern the Scriptures.

-- SSM (non-catholic follower of Jesus Christ) (heartwjesus@yahoo.com), February 26, 2001.

Anthony, There is no better interpretation of Saint Paul's words in that passage than yours. In the way Susan mangles them,

*For we through the Spirit eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness by faith*

. . . becomes a license ignore God, who says in no uncertain terms, ''As you sow, so shall you reap.''

''Faith'' as Susan interprets it: ''The way I am understanding these verses'' means ''Take it easy. Soon you'll be in heaven, you just pick it off the trees, like a cherry.''

-- eugene c. chavez (chavezec@pacbell.net), February 27, 2001.

Yes, susan. please read all that I write.

I said "HE IS BOUND TO THE ENTIRE LAW." to take exception to your exclusive use of, "you who attempt to be justified by law; you have fallen from GRACE."

I also said, "They're arguing about Jewish law versus Apostolic law. Not Apostolic law versus no law but what you feel." meaning that the question of "attempting to be justified by law" did not apply to Church law, the lines are to be understood in terms of Mosaic law only.

Keep in mind, we feel just as bound to what directives we have from Jesus through the Apostles *as well as* that which is written explicitly in Scripture. ...........................

-- Anthony (fides_spes_et_caritas@hotmail.com), February 27, 2001.

Do you know how the grace of Jesus descends upon you? It comes through faith.

Faith in His Words

Faith in His Church

Faith in the Sacraments he gave to His Church

Faith in the Holy Spirit who guards the Church against the Gates of Hell.

Faith in the bishops of His Church, successors of the Apostles

Faith in the infallible guidance ofthe Holy Spirit, given us through the Bishop of Rome, and His fellow bishops in Council

+

Faith is one of the Cardinal Virtues. The other two are Hope and Charity, or Love. Hope is striving, fighting the ''good fight'' in our lives, and avoiding sin.

Charity, Love-- is the life of the Holy Spirit inside each one of us. Love of God and His commandments and His Divine Will. Love for our neighbor as ourselves.

Don't be deceived by Alex, with his ''pop'' formula for faith. Faith is *unwavering faith in ALL that Christ has given us and taught us; by His word, His Pasion Death and Resurrection, and by His Church, the Holy Catholic Church.* All other faiths are deficient in that grace which Christ wants us all to have from Him.

-- eugene c. chavez (chavezec@pacbell.net), February 27, 2001.

Now an insult jr? Geez...I think I'm probably the most understanding and patient voice you've encountered here. I don't mind when you disagree...I mind when you refuse to accept our corrections as to what we believe (we know what we believe better than you, or any non- Catholic you've ever spoken to or ever will), or insult us. That was big-time uncalled for.

............................

-- Anthony (fides_spes_et_caritas@hotmail.com), February 27, 2001.

Save your breath, Anthony. Here is a fanatic of abysmal ignorance and demonic pride. He has no grasp of a truth, he thinks his graffiti is the Word of God, because he doesn't know any better. Paying attention to Alex is like working under Niagara Falls without a boat. Just pray for him, and let him rave all he wants. God has blessed you already for the earnestness of your effort, and for your charity.

-- eugene c. chavez (chavezec@pacbell.net), February 27, 2001.

I never said I was always pleasant. I said I was probably more patient and understanding than others. And I believe I have been. Even now, I'm taking the opportunity to civilly address your message even though it is the second time you have insulted me today.

Again (for what must be the 25th or 30th time) I only refer to Catholic doctrines when people question Catholic doctrines. Otherwise I use Scripture for people like you. Yet, you ignore it when I do (look at the mortal sin threads: Alex, "Mortal sin is not mentioned in Scripture." SomeoneElse, "Yes, here are the passages XYZ" Alex,"oh, it doesn't matter what they say, it's not in there." Does that sound like a reasonable argument to you?)

And I disagree with the last part...if it wasn't for the Church for the first 1500 years there wouldn't be any followers of Jesus today. The Roman empire would have remained pagan, and then been over-run by Islam. And just what is a follower of Jesus? A true follower of Jesus does EVERYTHING Jesus asked us to do (ie "Do this in remembrance of me" and others...) ........................................

-- Anthony (fides_spes_et_caritas@hotmail.com), February 27, 2001.

we posted at the same time, Eugene...thanks. he started off so much better today...I don't know what it is. Give him an inch and he takes a mile... ..............................................

-- Anthony (fides_spes_et_caritas@hotmail.com), February 27, 2001.

Be careful friends, don't fall into the trap laid by the author of confusion. Good to remember, we are all looking through a glass darkly at the moment. No one will know it all until we see Him face to face. Every blessing, Morag.

-- Morag Jones (morag12345@btinternet.com), March 04, 2004.