Salvation, law, grace and spirit

• Sin


  Any action/thought that separates humans from God; behaviour which is against God's laws/against principles of morality
• Original sin


  An Augustinian Christian doctrine that says that everyone is born with a built-in urge to disobey God, important doctrine within Catholic Church
• Salvation


  Saving the soul/deliverance from sin and admission to heaven brought about by Jesus
• Grace


  A quality of God which God shows to humans by providing love and support which they do not need to earn
• Beliefs about sin

  Sin is any action/thought that separates humans from God, that is, an action/thought against God’s laws and wishes or against the principles of morality. Sinful thoughts such as anger can lead to sinful actions such as assault or murder etc.

  Just because some sinful actions are not illegal, as far as Christianity is concerned it doesn’t make them right. Christians believe all humans commit sins. Indeed, as nobody is perfect, it’s impossible not to sin.
• Original sin


  Belief that human beings are born with an in-built tendency to do wrong
• Story of Adam and Eve

  • They sinned against God by breaking an instruction from God
  • Humans were descended from Adam and Eve, tainted by this act, all humans have an inbuilt tendency to disobey God
• Sin


  Separates humans from God, bringing eternal punishment
• Salvation


  Offered by God through the sacrifice of Christ
• Most Christians don't take the Genesis story literally
• Genesis story

  Conveys the message that humanity has the inclination to do what they are told not to (disobeying god), which damages their relationship with Him
• Original sin belief

  Christians believe original sin suggests human beings are born with an in-built tendency to do wrong. This idea is introduced in the story of Adam and Eve, who, despite the paradise they lived in, sinned against God by breaking an instruction from God. Believe humans were descended from Adam and Eve – tainted by this act, all humans have an inbuilt tendency to disobey God.
• Salvation through law/good works:

   

  In Jesus’ time, the Jews thought that ‘obeying the law’ was the route to salvation. Some Christians believe in salvation through works – the idea that a right relationship with God must be earned.

   

  Some think it can be earned through obedience to God’s laws; others take on Jesus’ idea that God was more pleased with the thoughts in our minds and the love in our hearts for him and others. Christians need to put these thoughts into action in their lives.
• Salvation through grace

  Grace means unconditional love that God has for us. God’s love is there despite everything humans do – there’s no need to earn salvation.

  
  

  Salvation through grace and sprit is made possible through Jesus’ atoning death. Jesus’ actions made possible the forgiveness for the sins of the world, leading to reconciliation.

  
  

  Christians believe they receive god’s grace through the presence in their hearts of the holy spirit. Allows them to show love

  grace of god helps them every day
• Influence of salvation

  Christians always know that God loves them, even though they don’t deserve it, and so they often try and show love to others who may also not deserve it.

  They may feel that they have the Holy Spirit within them and as such try and demonstrate acts within their lives that reflect, they have this gift within them. They know sin is easy to do and often the right way is the most difficult and so must be conscious of this.
• The Bible says Adam and Eve committed the first sin, Original Sin. This means the relationship between God and humanity was broken until Jesus atoned (made up for) this sin.  
• The Bible says, “For by grace you have been saved through faith… not the result of works.” While salvation by works is a predominantly held viewpoint, many Christians argue that this is evidence of salvation by grace alone.