According to Calvinists, how do Job's works correspond to his salvation?
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>**Job 31:1–4 (DRB)** I made a covenant with my eyes, that I would not so much as think upon a virgin.1 2 **For** what part should God from above have in me, and what inheritance the Almighty from on high? 3 **Is not destruction** to the wicked, and aversion to **them that work iniquity?** 4 Doth not he consider my ways, and number all my steps?
The very similar New Testament equivalent might be:
>**Ephesians 5:1–7 (DRB)** Be ye therefore followers of God, as most dear children; 2 And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath delivered himself for us, an oblation and a sacrifice to God for an odour of sweetness. 3 **But fornication,** and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not so much as be named among you, as becometh saints: 4 Or obscenity, or foolish talking, or scurrility, which is to no purpose; but rather giving of thanks. 5 ***For know you this and understand,*** that no fornicator, or unclean, or covetous person (which is a serving of idols), hath inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. 6 Let no man deceive you with vain words. For because of these things **cometh the anger of God** upon the children of unbelief. 7 Be ye not **therefore** partakers with them.
As a *Catholic*, it seems obvious to me from reading this that Job avoids sin in general (something for which Scripture praises him: cf. 1:1), but here fornication or thoughts thereof, *because* if he did not he would have no part in God, because he would be wicked by definition. This directly links works with justification, and Job lucidly and freely chose to take this course of life ('made a convenant with [myself]') because of the risk of not having done so. But in Calvinism *there is no* even theoretical risk of losing salvation, and therefore no need to avoid sins *so as to avoid* such a fate (i.e., whereas there is motive for avoiding sins which is not a salvific reason, so Calvinists believe).
Question
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According to Calvinists, how does Job view his works in relation to his justification/salvation?
Thanks in advance.
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1 Cf. Mt. 5:28.
Asked by Sola Gratia
(8509 rep)
Feb 12, 2019, 04:40 PM
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