Defenders of the Catholic faith: Obedience Of Faith-Believe And Obey

By Charles Hatchko

Christ's redemption is a mystery of Divine love--totally expressed in the Almighty Father's supreme gifts. (John 3:16) give absolute definitive evidence of the Almighty Father's supreme gift in the giving of His only begotten Son. This initial mystery, the incomprehensible excess of the goodness and generosity of God who loved sinners and sent His Son into the world for redemption can be comprehended by faith. There is absolute redemption for all men in Jesus Christ. Christ completes his redemption by sending forth the Holy Spirit from the Father. (John 15:26)--(John 16:7)--(Acts 1:8). Through the promise of faith we may receive the promised Spirit--(Galatians 3:13).

Believe and Obey, Not Faith Alone is the crux of Biblical teaching.

One must have an obedience of faith, not faith alone. (Romans 16:25-26) gives definitive affirmation of an obedience of faith. Believe and Obey. Look at this Biblical Text--Protestant Bible--New King James--NSt. Paul exhorts--Now to Him who is able to establish you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery kept secret since the world began. But now made manifest by the prophetic Scriptures made known to all nations, according to the command of the everlasting God, for obedience to the faith. Obedience to the faith is essential and the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ. Yes! Believe and Obey. Look closely at (James 2:14-17) N.K.J.V. What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him? If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, and of of you says to them, Depart in peace and be warmed and filled, but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit? Thus also faith by itself , if it does not have works is dead. Look at the word justified in any Biblical Expostionary Dictionary. The Greek Verb for the word justified-(Diikaioo) is used. Many Protestants write that the word justify means vindicated is bad Biblical exegesis.Look at any Protestant Expository Dictionary such as Vine's or Strong's for verification. Look at the correlation with The Parable of the Last Judgment--

(Matt. 25:31-46) The separation of the sheep and goats is determined by the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ by works of Charity. Charity accompanied with faith is not a prerequisite for salvation in Protestant teaching.

Faith Alone or Faith Only saves is the Reformation Protestant teaching.

Look closely at Verse Forty in the Parable of the Last Judgment.--

(Matt. 25:40)--N.K.J.V. And the King will answer and say to them, Assurdedly I say to you, insomuch as you did to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me. Jesus Christ is talking about feeding the hungry, giving drink to the thirsty, -sheltering the homeless etc. Corporal l works of mercy in Catholic teaching. Look at three Parables-(Matt. 24:42-51) The illustration of the Two Sevants--(Matt. 25:1-13) The Parable of the Ten Virgins. Look at the Parable of the Talents (Matt. 25:14-30).These three are completed by the anouncement of a rigious last judgment. In these teachings Christ demands diligence, watchfullness,

faithfulness, and perseverance in the faith. These Parables of Christ are not judged on faith alone. Look at the Parable of the Marriage Feast. (Matt. 22:1-14) What does the man witout the wedding garment signify. St. Gregory the Great said the marriage is the wedding of Christ and His Church, and the garment is the virtue of charity; a person who comes to the marriage feat without a wedding garment is someone who believes in the Church but does not have charity. The white garments is the works done in faith symbolizing purity. The wedding garment is the works done in faithfulness to Christ. White symbolizes purity and the joy of victory .Look at (Revelation 3:4)--

(Rev. 7:9---(Rev. 7:13). Look at the words of the Apostle St. Paul--

(1 Cor. 13:2) N.I.V. If I have faith can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. This is not faith alone. Look at the Book of Phillipians who were a saved people, look at the language of St. Paul--(Phil. 2:12) N.I.V. Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed--not only in my presence , but now much more in my absence--continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling. Look again--Work out your salvation with Fear and Trembling. Does this sound like faith alone--.

Look at a few Biblical Tests that talks an obedience of faith. King James Version.

Let me list a few Old and Testament Biblical Texts that give definitve affimaton that we must believe and obey. The Bible does not teach Sola Fides-- Faith Alone saves.

Old Testament--(Genesis 17:9)--(Exodus 23:22)--(Leviticus 19:19)--(Levitus 19:35-37)--

(Leviticus 20:8)--(Leviticus 20:22)--(Leviticus 22:31)--(Numbers 15:38-40)- Remember the Lord's commandments and do them. Please read (Deuteronomy 4:1-40) King James-

(Deut. 5:1-33)--(Deut. 6:1-25)--(Deut. 8:1-6)--(Deut. 8:11-20)--(Deut. 11:1-3) --

(Deut.11: 13-27)--Look at (Deut. 13:4) K.J.V. Ye shall walk after the Lord your God, and fear him, and keep his commandments, and obey his voice, and ye shall serve him, and cleave unto him. This surely is not faith alone.Look closely at the following Biblical Texts-- (Deut. 26:16-18)---(Deut. 27:1-10)-- Look at (Joshua 22:5) But take diligent heed to do the commandments and the law, which Moses servant of the Lord charged you, to love the Lord your Go, and to walk in his ways, and to keep his commandments, and to cleave unto him, and to serve him with all your heart and all your soul.

(Joshua 23:6)--(Joshua 24:140--(1 Samuel 12:14)--(1 Samuel 12:20)---

(1 Samuel 12:24)-(1 Samuel 15:22)--(2 Kings 17:37-38)--(1 Chronicles 16:15)--

(1 Chonicles 28:9-10)--(Psalm 76:11)--(Proverbs 7:1)--(Eccxleiastes 12:13)--

(Jeremiah 26:13)---(Daniel 7:27)--(Malachi 4:4). Look at a few of the New Testament Biblical Texts. (Matt. 7:21-23) --(Matt. 19:16-17)-- (Luke 11:28)--John 14:15-23)--

(Romans 2:5-9)--(2 Cor. 9:8-10)--(Galatians 5: 5-6)--(Eph. 2:10)--(Eph. 6:6-8)--

(Col. 1:10)---(Col. 3:24-25)--(James 1:22)--(James 2:24)--( 1 Peter 1:17)--

(Rev. 20:12-13). Protestants need an abandonment to Divine Providence and Truth.

Let us remember how to discover what is the will of God. (1 Thess. 4:3) gives definitive evidence that God's will is our sanctification. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, the divine action places before us at every moment things of infinite value, and gives them to us according to the measure of faith and love. (2 Cor. 3:5) gives definitive affirmation our sufficiency is from God. The perfection of souls, and the degree of excellence in which they have attained can be gauged by their fidelity to the order established by God. We are called to be made perfect, not only to believe. (Matt. 5:20) Christ exhorts, Our righteousness must exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees. Righteousness is holiness -lead a holy life.

(Matt. 5:48)--Christ calls one to perfection. (Hebrew 12:14) N.I.V. states, Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord. (1 Peter 1:13-16) Calls us to holiness. Holiness--Greek-(hagiasmos) is what we are called to. Self guidance is a mistake--self guidance comes from self-intepretation of the Bible. Remeber hope is an essential element in love. Love has faith in the goodness of the beloved. What is the foundation, the pillar and ground of truth.

(1 Tim. 3:15) K.J.V The Church is the Pillar and Ground of Truth.Believe and Obey, Not Faith Alone is the crux of Biblical teaching.

One must have an obedience of faith, not faith alone. (Romans 16:25-26) gives definitive affirmation of an obedience of faith. Believe and Obey. Not just Believe.

Believe and Obey. (James 2:14-17) N.K.J.V. What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him? If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, and of of you says to them, Depart in peace and be warmed and filled, but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit? Thus also faith by itself , if it does not have works is dead. Look at the word justified in any Biblical Expostionary Dictionary. The Greek Verb for the word justified-(Diikaioo) is used. Many Protestants write that the word justify means vindicated is bad Biblical exegesis.Look at any Protestant Expository Dictionary such as Vine's or Strong's for verification. Look at the correlation with The Parable of the Last Judgment--(Matt. 25:31-46) The separation of the sheep and goats is determined by the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ by works of Charity. Charity accompanied with faith is not a prerequisite for salvation in Protestant teaching.

Faith Alone or Faith Only saves is the Reformation Protestant teaching.

Look closely at Verse Forty in the Parable of the Last Judgment.--

(Matt. 25:40)--N.K.J.V. And the King will answer and say to them, Assurdedly I say to you, insomuch as you did to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me. Jesus Christ is talking about feeding the hungry, giving drink to the thirsty, -sheltering the homeless etc. Corporal l works of mercy in Catholic teaching. Look at three Parables-(Matt. 24:42-51) The illustration of the Two Sevants--(Matt. 25:1-13) The Parable of the Ten Virgins. Look at the Parable of the Talents (Matt. 25:14-30).These three are completed by the anouncement of a rigorous last judgment. In these teachings Christ demands diligence, watchfullness,