Paul said in Ephesians and titus that it is not by works, He NEVER SAID WORK OF The LAW. so if your trying to say paul only meant works of the law every time he said works would be false reasoning. not only this, God said through Moses in Gen that Abraham was saved because he believed, not because he did works. The law is not in context.
9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.
10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
This is talking about man's "works" vs. the Works God created for us to walk in. So EG, this agrees with Paul and James in that we are to deny our "works" (religious traditions, our own definition of "good deeds" etc.) and turn to God and "HIS" definition of "good works" which He created from the foundation of the world for us to walk in. Paul says the same thing in Romans 2.
Rom. 2:5 But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God;
6 Who will render to every man according to his deeds:
7 To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life:
8 But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath,
11 For there is no respect of persons with God.
13 (For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law (That the Word which became Flesh created beforehand for us to "walk in") shall be justified.
So yes, when Paul says "works or Deeds" of the Law, he is speaking to the Levitical Priesthood "Laws of justification" which were to be in force until Jesus came. But every time he says "LAW" he is not speaking to the Levitical Priesthood.
As far as Abraham goes.
Gen. 26:4 And I will make thy seed to multiply as the stars of heaven, and will give unto thy seed all these countries; and in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed;
5 Because that Abraham obeyed my voice, and kept my charge, my commandments, my statutes, and my laws.
Paul in romans is talking to people tryign to add law to grace
In Romans he is speaking about justification of sins. Grace through Faith VS. Levitical Priesthood sacrificial "Works of the Law" that the Jews couldn't let go of. But without repentance there is no Grace.
"I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish."
Can I create my own "works" to walk in? Or does repentance mean to turn from my "works" and be a "DOER" of the Work's the Word which became Flesh created beforehand for me to walk in.
James is talking to licentious people who BELIEVE, but HAVE NO FAITH, proven by the fact, they HAVE NO WORKS. (not that they had works at one time and now do not have works)
Matt. 7:18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.
19 Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.
20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.
For instance, if I see a man who follows the instructions that the Word which became Flesh created beforehand for us to walk in. (Commandments of God) I will know their faith by their works, because as it is written "If you Love Me, Keep MY Commandments".
But if I see people who follow a religion which "Transgresses the Commandments by their own religious traditions ", I also know from the same Book what their "works" expose and how Jesus judged them. Is this not truth?
I agree with James, Be doers not just hearers. People who CLAIM to be saved, yet have NEVER DID EVEN 1 WORK. they are not saved period. (if they are hearers not doers. they TOO have never been saved)
But tp use James to say salvation can be LOST. is to take him out of context. and make him contradict paul
But tp use James to say salvation can be LOST. is to take him out of context. and make him contradict paul
It seems Jesus addressed this as well.
Matt. 7:22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
This is the same thing Eph. 2 was saying. These folks had works, they gave Jesus the credit for all their works, they certainly believed in their mind that they were "Saved".
But it appears they were doing their "OWN" works, and not the Works which the Word that became flesh created beforehand for them to walk in.
And the same Word which became Flesh put it this way before He became Flesh.
Jer. 6:16 Thus saith the LORD,(The Word which became Flesh in the person of Jesus) Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths,(That God prepared beforehand for us to walk in) where is the good way, (For we are created unto "Good Works")and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls.
But they said, We will not walk therein.
How is this thinking dishonoring God or His Word? How is this thinking wrong, making me a lawyer or legalist, or Pharisee as I have been called over and over on this forum?