I was wondering what the majority of the community thought about this question.
I was wondering what the majority of the community thought about this question.
I think that if God can't see that someone has faith without their works then He is omniscient (all knowing.) I believe God does know everything, past-present-furure. I think works only prove to ourselves and other people how genuine our faith is, but I can't see how God requires works to prove faith.
I was wondering what the majority of the community thought about this question.
The thief on the cross actually did have works... the fruit of his lips and faith. He believed that Jesus is the Lord and his words were a testimony."And without faith it is impossible to please God" Hebrews 11:6a
The criminal on the cross next to Jesus believed in Him and was promised paradise. The theif had no works. But he had faith.
Luke 23...
39 One of the criminals who were hanged railed at him, saying, “Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us!” 40 But the other rebuked him, saying, “Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? 41 And we indeed justly, for we are receiving the due reward of our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong.” 42 And he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” 43 And he said to him, “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise.”
So I voted faith without works is alive to God.
I'm sure we all agree. There is no work that we can do to save ourselves or keep ourselves saved. The work was done at Calvary by Jesus Christ our savior."For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast." - Ephesians 2:8-9
The thief on the cross actually did have works... the fruit of his lips and faith. He believed that Jesus is the Lord and his words were a testimony.
Matthew 10:32
Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven.
Show me your faith without works, and I will show you faith that works...
James 2:18
Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works. ~KJV
And the primary work of God is to believe in his Son, our Lord Christ Jesus...
John 6:29
Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent. ~KJV
Take another look at James 2:18. It doesn't say to show God our faith with works, it says to show me.
James 2:18
Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works. ~KJV
James 2:18 is about showing human beings your faith with works. It's entirely unnecessary to prove our faith to other people. This is rhetorical.
Ephesians 2:8-9 says that faith is not a "work." Faith is a gift from God.
8For it is by grace you have been saved through faith, and this not from yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9not by works, so that no one can boast.
I like your post If “Is” was meant to be “Isn’t”I think that if God can't see that someone has faith without their works then He is omniscient (all knowing.) I believe God does know everything, past-present-furure. I think works only prove to ourselves and other people how genuine our faith is, but I can't see how God requires works to prove faith.
I like your post If “Is” was meant to be “Isn’t”
I think you are saying that faith without works Is dead to men.The works that will be displayed by those of faith is to love others and not be a respector of persons. Do we view the poor and desolate and homeless in the same light as the rich? This is the work of the faithful, that all are equal. Do you see someone in need and walk away and wish them well or do you try to help them? I believe that naturally, a true believer who is filled with His Spirit will allow His Spirit to guide them and the love for others will come quite naturally.
This poll question IS about how GOD sees faith without works though.Agree. This isn't about how our God sees us but how the world sees us.