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 Answer:
Holy Scripture does tell us that salvation is by God's grace, is a gift
from God and is received by faith.1
Salvation originates with God2 and is effectually
applied by the Holy Spirit which creates or produces in us a new heart
(regeneration).3 This change gives us a new perspective and
attitude4 which leads us to set our minds on what the Spirit
of God desires.5 The person controlled by the new nature that
comes from being saved seeks to please God and follow the Spirit and his
ways.6
This in turn leads us to participate in good works, not for
earning salvation, but as a byproduct of salvation by God's Grace.7
If a person professes faith, but shows no works, fruit, or other
characteristics of sanctification; then they remain dead in sin.8
The answer to the question then is that it most definitely matters what
one does. A person's life and deeds reflect whether one has a saving
faith or just a professed faith.9 People with a saving faith
will not only "talk the talk", but will also "walk the
walk."10
For
a more thorough explanation see Rev. Muse's sermon on Proverbs
15:24.
For a good quote on this subject see Noteworthy
quote #1
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(1)
Ephesians 2:8
For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith-and this not from
yourselves, it is the gift of God-
(2) John 3:3
In reply Jesus declared, "I tell you the truth, no one can see the
kingdom of God unless he is born again."
(3) Ezekiel 36:26
I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove
from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.
(4) 2 Corinthians 5:17
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has
gone, the new has come!
(5) Romans 8:5
Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on
what that nature desires; but those who live in accordance with the
Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires.
(6) Romans 8:9
You, however, are controlled not by the sinful nature but by the Spirit,
if the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the
Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ.
(7) Ephesians 2:10
For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works,
which God prepared in advance for us to do.
(8) James 2:26
As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.
(9) Romans 2:6
God "will give to each person according to what he has done."
(10) 1 John 3:18
Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and
in truth.
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