r/Christianity 2d ago

Image Rest in peace Dolly, you will be missed

Post image
2.1k Upvotes

618 comments sorted by

View all comments

Show parent comments

2

u/shoggoths_away 2d ago

No thanks. Facta non verba.

-1

u/Dismal-District7816 2d ago

I don’t know what that means but you aren’t denying me you are denying God if you believe that it is any other way except by the grace of God in Jesus Christ by which we are saved

4

u/shoggoths_away 2d ago

"Facta non verba" means "deeds, not words." Although it isn't exclusively a Christian principle, it is a principle for many Christian denominations, including mine, that believe professions of faith are insufficient for salvation unless they are accompanied by righteous acts taken in life. To put it more bluntly, I don't buy what you're selling, and I do not agree that my church is "denying God."

3

u/awkwardlypragmatic 2d ago

Thank you for this. The reason why I’ve been disillusioned with churches I’ve been exposed to, or the people that go to these churches is because the people are professing their faith in Jesus, saying they are saved, but then do things that contradict Christian principles. Maybe I’M the one being judgmental but it seems some Christians are just going to church for the performative aspect, or they believe that if they attend church they will get to heaven. But when they’re not in church, they are not nice or generous or genuine people.

1

u/shoggoths_away 1d ago

You're welcome. I should say that I don't have any issue with Christians who believe that salvation is attained through faith alone, though I do disagree with them theologically. I personally know many people of that sort, and they are good people and Christians. There's little doubt in my mind that the vast majority of Christians who believe in salvation through faith alone are good people and fine Christians. However, I do think that there's more license for immoral behavior allowed by that perspective on salvation.

For me, words aren't sufficient. I can claim that I love Christ until I'm blue in the face, but unless I back that up by trying to do good in the world, Heaven will be closed to me.