Salvation by faith and works : intellectually ridiculous?

I disagree with your interpretation. People can have faith without works and people can perform good works with no faith.I contend that when Christian scripture is taken in its total context that the message of salvation is relatively clear. I think it can be summarized by the following three points.1/ God is concerned about the condition of our hearts and not our theology. Is our heart focused on self, or is it focused on Him and our neighbour. Loving our neighbour is pretty straightforward but loving God is not as simple. God represents all that is good, honest and just. I suggest that when we love good and hate evil, love truth and hate lies, or love justice and hate injustice we are loving God.2/ The Bible tells us that to whom much is given much is expected. Obviously the converse would be true as well. For example some one who is brought up in a loving home should normally be able to focus on others more easily than someone brought up in an abusive home.3/ This is the point as it applies to Christians. When we truly turn to Christ through faith there is a mystical connection with the Holy Spirit that enlightens our own conscience or spirit and helps us to take the focus off of the self. This does not mean that we are going to be nicer or better citizens than our Atheistic next door neighbour, but it should mean that we are better and nicer than we had been. (This of course is an on-going process.)In the end I believe that it boils down to our ability to let go of the love of self and gravitate towards the love of truth, goodness, justice and mercy for all.

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Everybody is entitled to my opinion.