Not By Works
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The context of James is simple and it is not the context you claim.Nothing in the passage supports your opinion of the context.The example given by James shows clearly that he is not referring to any distinction between your inventions "mere belief" and "saving faith". He uses Abraham as the example and his faith was real as this was acknowledged by God.Yet still he said:
"Was not Abraham our father justified by works,"
Belief :confidence, trust, certainty, credence, acceptance,faith, conviction, principle, creed, idea
antonym: distrust
"Was not Abraham our father justified by works,"
Belief :confidence, trust, certainty, credence, acceptance,faith, conviction, principle, creed, idea
antonym: distrust
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She can slander me, I care not, it is actually good because it shows how offensive the message of grace is that they have to distort it to make it sound like it is promoting evil.
Paul had something very sharp to say about people who use this distorted logic that we preach evil so that good may come.
Romans 3:8
8Why not say, as some slanderously claim that we say, “Let us do evil that good may result?” Their condemnation is deserved!
Paul had something very sharp to say about people who use this distorted logic that we preach evil so that good may come.
Romans 3:8
8Why not say, as some slanderously claim that we say, “Let us do evil that good may result?” Their condemnation is deserved!
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James is saying that if you faith it will show up in works.
If you do not have works then you do not have faith.
Does God need to see our works to see we have faith?
After all he knows our hearts, so he knows whether we are genuine or not.
Acts 16:29-33
29 Then he called for a light, ran in, and fell down trembling before Paul and Silas. 30 And he brought them out and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”
31 So they said, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household.” 32 Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all who were in his house. 33 And he took them the same hour of the night and washed their stripes. And immediately he and all his family were baptized.
Romans 4:5-8
David Celebrates the Same Truth
5 But to him who does not work but believes on Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is accounted for righteousness, 6 just as David also describes the blessedness of the man to whom God imputes righteousness apart from works:
7 “Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven,
And whose sins are covered;
8 Blessed is the man to whom the Lord shall not impute sin.”
Ephesians 2:8-10
8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast. 10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.
Romans 4:3-4
3 For what does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.” 4 Now to him who works, the wages are not counted as grace but as debt.
Look at what James was adressing.
Beware of Personal Favoritism
This was happening.
He is not taking about works that saves us but works that show we are saved.
If you have genuine faith it will show up, if not then you profess a dead faith, a mere profession and that's all.
If you do not have works then you do not have faith.
Does God need to see our works to see we have faith?
After all he knows our hearts, so he knows whether we are genuine or not.
Acts 16:29-33
29 Then he called for a light, ran in, and fell down trembling before Paul and Silas. 30 And he brought them out and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”
31 So they said, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household.” 32 Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all who were in his house. 33 And he took them the same hour of the night and washed their stripes. And immediately he and all his family were baptized.
Romans 4:5-8
David Celebrates the Same Truth
5 But to him who does not work but believes on Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is accounted for righteousness, 6 just as David also describes the blessedness of the man to whom God imputes righteousness apart from works:
7 “Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven,
And whose sins are covered;
8 Blessed is the man to whom the Lord shall not impute sin.”
Ephesians 2:8-10
8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast. 10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.
Romans 4:3-4
3 For what does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.” 4 Now to him who works, the wages are not counted as grace but as debt.
Look at what James was adressing.
Beware of Personal Favoritism
This was happening.
He is not taking about works that saves us but works that show we are saved.
If you have genuine faith it will show up, if not then you profess a dead faith, a mere profession and that's all.
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The addition of 'qualifiers' that are completely foreign to Scripture, and the language, such as "genuine faith" or "'really' and/or 'truly' believe".
None of the above words either need or demand any such as these 'lingual' additions (or 'clarifications') , which are subtle attempts to 'read theology' into the actual words and texts, IMO.
There are indeed more straw men I could list, but these should suffice to show the point.
None of the above words either need or demand any such as these 'lingual' additions (or 'clarifications') , which are subtle attempts to 'read theology' into the actual words and texts, IMO.
There are indeed more straw men I could list, but these should suffice to show the point.
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I am not the one interpreting James and claiming:
He is saying works justify us before men..
He is speaking about professors of faith only...
He is referring to mere belief vs saving faith...
I am merely sticking to his plain words:
"What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?"
" Was not Abraham our father justified by works,.."
Notice he is speaking of Abraham here not some unknown,mere professor of faith.
You would be better off taking Luther's position in declaring James an epistle of straw.
He is saying works justify us before men..
He is speaking about professors of faith only...
He is referring to mere belief vs saving faith...
I am merely sticking to his plain words:
"What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?"
" Was not Abraham our father justified by works,.."
Notice he is speaking of Abraham here not some unknown,mere professor of faith.
You would be better off taking Luther's position in declaring James an epistle of straw.
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Good, I am glad.
You are a smart woman think!! Does dead mean non existent .....NO!!!
It did exist but now it is inoperative, not being manifested, not being shown to a lost and dying world
Okay......
This is saving faith, the faith that saves us from sin and gives eternal life (eternal life meaning we partake of God's divine nature)
Ephesians 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.
This saving faith comes from hearing the true full Gospel, which most people do not btw....
Jesus is the object of our belief/faith because of the work He accomplished for us on the cross and His Resurrection
This belief and saving faith is when we come to Him empty of our own self effort to gain salvation, knowing that it is work His only that saves and it is a complete
By exerting this faith we are Born Again....we are regenerated, redeemed and justified eternally because we have received His eternal life
The church is still one of oppression and so they teach the believer WILL be good and do good works and persevere. Not really under grace then?
So the free gift is not so free anymore is it, now we have to do our part or we are not really saved
Have we become automatons? Do His children not get lost....we still have the flesh, the world and Satan to contend with everyday.
The Lordship Salvation doctrine stemming from our friend from the Reformation does not trust Grace really, it is just more external law and obedience
Yet I say to you, abiding is an internal positional place in the Love and Grace of God, we are hid in Him, in Him we do not need external oppressive saying you WILL be good. It is instead we SHOULD do good works, we not automatons.
James is very clear we will be judge by the Law of Liberty. What does that mean, we have choices to make on this earth but once we are born again our salvation is secure.
Yet not everyone knows how to abide, and they get lost and they mess up, and then the Christians say well they were never a Christian, they did not have a real relationship with God and were not saved, it was just mental assent.
Why did Paul write what He did to Corinth if everyone WILL be obedient.
Soon as you say will, you have the perfect formula for judgement .....sounds like the modern day church, the big divide between law keeping and licentious because they have not understood Grace
From James' point of view he is writing to believers therefore he is not addressing false faith, he is however addressing faith that is not being made manifest, inoperative.
Most people are operating under the law still and do not really know it.
You are a smart woman think!! Does dead mean non existent .....NO!!!
It did exist but now it is inoperative, not being manifested, not being shown to a lost and dying world
Okay......
This is saving faith, the faith that saves us from sin and gives eternal life (eternal life meaning we partake of God's divine nature)
Ephesians 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.
This saving faith comes from hearing the true full Gospel, which most people do not btw....
Jesus is the object of our belief/faith because of the work He accomplished for us on the cross and His Resurrection
This belief and saving faith is when we come to Him empty of our own self effort to gain salvation, knowing that it is work His only that saves and it is a complete
By exerting this faith we are Born Again....we are regenerated, redeemed and justified eternally because we have received His eternal life
The church is still one of oppression and so they teach the believer WILL be good and do good works and persevere. Not really under grace then?
So the free gift is not so free anymore is it, now we have to do our part or we are not really saved
Have we become automatons? Do His children not get lost....we still have the flesh, the world and Satan to contend with everyday.
The Lordship Salvation doctrine stemming from our friend from the Reformation does not trust Grace really, it is just more external law and obedience
Yet I say to you, abiding is an internal positional place in the Love and Grace of God, we are hid in Him, in Him we do not need external oppressive saying you WILL be good. It is instead we SHOULD do good works, we not automatons.
James is very clear we will be judge by the Law of Liberty. What does that mean, we have choices to make on this earth but once we are born again our salvation is secure.
Yet not everyone knows how to abide, and they get lost and they mess up, and then the Christians say well they were never a Christian, they did not have a real relationship with God and were not saved, it was just mental assent.
Why did Paul write what He did to Corinth if everyone WILL be obedient.
Soon as you say will, you have the perfect formula for judgement .....sounds like the modern day church, the big divide between law keeping and licentious because they have not understood Grace
From James' point of view he is writing to believers therefore he is not addressing false faith, he is however addressing faith that is not being made manifest, inoperative.
Most people are operating under the law still and do not really know it.
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Question: "How can you believe in salvation by faith alone when the only occurrence of ‘faith alone’ in the Bible (James 2:24) says that salvation is not by faith alone?"
Answer: It is entirely true that the one verse in the Bible that contains the exact phrase “faith alone” seems to argue against salvation by faith alone. James 2:24 reads, “You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone” (ESV). However, rejecting the doctrine of salvation by faith alone based on this verse has two major problems. First, the context of James 2:24 is not arguing against the doctrine of salvation by faith alone. Second, the Bible does not need to contain the precise phrase “faith alone” in order to clearly teach salvation by faith alone.
James 2:14–26, as a whole, and especially verse 24, has been the subject of some confused interpretations. The passage definitely seems to cause serious problems for the “salvation by faith alone” concept. First, we need to clear up a misconception, namely, that James means the same thing by “justified” in James 2:24 that Paul means in Romans 3:28. Paul is using the word justified to mean “declared righteous by God.” Paul is speaking of God’s legal declaration of us as righteous as Christ’s righteousness is applied to our account. James is using the word justified to mean “being demonstrated and proved.”
The 2011 NIV provides an excellent rendering of James 2:24: “You see that a person is considered righteous by what they do and not by faith alone” (emphasis added). Similarly, the NLT translation of James 2:24 reads, “So you see, we are shown to be right with God by what we do, not by faith alone” (emphasis added). The entire James 2:14–26 passage is about proving the genuineness of your faith by what you do. A genuine salvation experience by faith in Jesus Christ will inevitably result in good works (cf. Ephesians 2:10). The works are the demonstration and proof of faith (James 2:18). A faith without works is useless (James 2:20) and dead (James 2:17); in other words, it is not true faith at all. Salvation is by faith alone, but that faith will never be alone.
While James 2:24 is the only verse that contains the precise phrase “faith alone,” there are many other verses that do, in fact, teach salvation by faith alone. Any verse that ascribes salvation to faith/belief, with no other requirement mentioned, is a declaration that salvation is by faith alone. John 3:16declares that salvation is given to “whoever believes in Him.” Acts 16:31 proclaims, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved.” Ephesians 2:8 says, “For by grace you have been saved through faith.” See also Romans 3:28; 4:5; 5:1; Galatians 2:16; 3:24; Ephesians 1:13; and Philippians 3:9. Many other verses could be referenced in addition to these.
In summary, James 2:24 does not argue against salvation by faith alone. Rather, it argues against a salvation that is alone, a salvation devoid of good works and obedience to God’s Word. James’s point is that we demonstrate our faith by what we do (James 2:18). Regardless of the absence of the precise phrase “faith alone,” the New Testament definitely teaches that salvation is the product of God’s grace in response to our faith. “Where, then, is boasting? It is excluded. On what principle? . . . On that of faith” (Romans 3:27). There is no other requirement. (Got questions material)
Answer: It is entirely true that the one verse in the Bible that contains the exact phrase “faith alone” seems to argue against salvation by faith alone. James 2:24 reads, “You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone” (ESV). However, rejecting the doctrine of salvation by faith alone based on this verse has two major problems. First, the context of James 2:24 is not arguing against the doctrine of salvation by faith alone. Second, the Bible does not need to contain the precise phrase “faith alone” in order to clearly teach salvation by faith alone.
James 2:14–26, as a whole, and especially verse 24, has been the subject of some confused interpretations. The passage definitely seems to cause serious problems for the “salvation by faith alone” concept. First, we need to clear up a misconception, namely, that James means the same thing by “justified” in James 2:24 that Paul means in Romans 3:28. Paul is using the word justified to mean “declared righteous by God.” Paul is speaking of God’s legal declaration of us as righteous as Christ’s righteousness is applied to our account. James is using the word justified to mean “being demonstrated and proved.”
The 2011 NIV provides an excellent rendering of James 2:24: “You see that a person is considered righteous by what they do and not by faith alone” (emphasis added). Similarly, the NLT translation of James 2:24 reads, “So you see, we are shown to be right with God by what we do, not by faith alone” (emphasis added). The entire James 2:14–26 passage is about proving the genuineness of your faith by what you do. A genuine salvation experience by faith in Jesus Christ will inevitably result in good works (cf. Ephesians 2:10). The works are the demonstration and proof of faith (James 2:18). A faith without works is useless (James 2:20) and dead (James 2:17); in other words, it is not true faith at all. Salvation is by faith alone, but that faith will never be alone.
While James 2:24 is the only verse that contains the precise phrase “faith alone,” there are many other verses that do, in fact, teach salvation by faith alone. Any verse that ascribes salvation to faith/belief, with no other requirement mentioned, is a declaration that salvation is by faith alone. John 3:16declares that salvation is given to “whoever believes in Him.” Acts 16:31 proclaims, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved.” Ephesians 2:8 says, “For by grace you have been saved through faith.” See also Romans 3:28; 4:5; 5:1; Galatians 2:16; 3:24; Ephesians 1:13; and Philippians 3:9. Many other verses could be referenced in addition to these.
In summary, James 2:24 does not argue against salvation by faith alone. Rather, it argues against a salvation that is alone, a salvation devoid of good works and obedience to God’s Word. James’s point is that we demonstrate our faith by what we do (James 2:18). Regardless of the absence of the precise phrase “faith alone,” the New Testament definitely teaches that salvation is the product of God’s grace in response to our faith. “Where, then, is boasting? It is excluded. On what principle? . . . On that of faith” (Romans 3:27). There is no other requirement. (Got questions material)
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We are positionally sanctified in Christ. Amen
All believers are classified as “the saints” (Act 20:32; 1 Cor. 1:2; 6:11; Heb. 10:10, 14; Jude 1).
Therefore, sainthood or sanctification, is not an attainment, it is the state into which God, in grace, calls sinful men when they are born again, and in which they begin their course as Christians (Col. 3:12; Heb. 3:1).
The greatest incentive for holy living/sanctification/ demonstrating outwardly what God has proclaimed in Heaven is our position before and in God.
You should really preach on that instead.
All believers are classified as “the saints” (Act 20:32; 1 Cor. 1:2; 6:11; Heb. 10:10, 14; Jude 1).
Therefore, sainthood or sanctification, is not an attainment, it is the state into which God, in grace, calls sinful men when they are born again, and in which they begin their course as Christians (Col. 3:12; Heb. 3:1).
The greatest incentive for holy living/sanctification/ demonstrating outwardly what God has proclaimed in Heaven is our position before and in God.
You should really preach on that instead.
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Moreover, the saints have a “perfect” status in God’s presence (Heb. 11:40; 12:23).
We can approach Him with the full acceptance gained through the death of Christ (Heb. 10:19-22).
Charles Wesley wrote eloquently:
No condemnation now I dread:
Jesus, and all in Him, is mine!
Alive in Him, my living Head,
And clothed in righteousness divine,
Bold I approach the eternal throng,
And claim the crown, through Christ my own.
Every believer is sanctified in Christ Jesus (1 Cor. 1:2; cp. Heb. 10:10), therefore the New Testament calls all believers “saints,” hagioi.
We are the “sanctified” or “holy ones.”
In Hebrews 10:10 the believer is placed in a permanent and continuous state of salvation.
.abideinchrist.com
We can approach Him with the full acceptance gained through the death of Christ (Heb. 10:19-22).
Charles Wesley wrote eloquently:
No condemnation now I dread:
Jesus, and all in Him, is mine!
Alive in Him, my living Head,
And clothed in righteousness divine,
Bold I approach the eternal throng,
And claim the crown, through Christ my own.
Every believer is sanctified in Christ Jesus (1 Cor. 1:2; cp. Heb. 10:10), therefore the New Testament calls all believers “saints,” hagioi.
We are the “sanctified” or “holy ones.”
In Hebrews 10:10 the believer is placed in a permanent and continuous state of salvation.
.abideinchrist.com
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Wrong again......like normal......as long as you keep ignoring context you will continue to peddle lies and deceit.....
Paul -->Therefore, we conclude a man is JUSTIFIED by FAITH without the deeds/works of the law.....
For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God. For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness. Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works,
You really do not know what you are talking about........you really should go back to Sunday school and get your facts straight before you play with the adults......
Paul -->Therefore, we conclude a man is JUSTIFIED by FAITH without the deeds/works of the law.....
For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God. For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness. Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works,
You really do not know what you are talking about........you really should go back to Sunday school and get your facts straight before you play with the adults......
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And there is me thinking that he died on the cross to forgive me of my sins.
The thing that separates us from God.
As he said on the cross "Father forgive them, they don't know what they are doing"
Jesus died on the cross to reconcile us to the Father.
He had to do so in order for the Holy Spirit to come to convict us of the greatest sin.
John 16:8-11
8 When he comes, he will prove the world to be in the wrong about sin and righteousness and judgment: 9 about sin, because people do not believe in me; 10 about righteousness, because I am going to the Father, where you can see me no longer; 11 and about judgment, because the prince of this world now stands condemned
The sin of unbelief in Jesus.
John 14:26
26 But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.
The thing that separates us from God.
As he said on the cross "Father forgive them, they don't know what they are doing"
Jesus died on the cross to reconcile us to the Father.
He had to do so in order for the Holy Spirit to come to convict us of the greatest sin.
John 16:8-11
8 When he comes, he will prove the world to be in the wrong about sin and righteousness and judgment: 9 about sin, because people do not believe in me; 10 about righteousness, because I am going to the Father, where you can see me no longer; 11 and about judgment, because the prince of this world now stands condemned
The sin of unbelief in Jesus.
John 14:26
26 But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.