Poll on faith without works

  • Christian Chat is a moderated online Christian community allowing Christians around the world to fellowship with each other in real time chat via webcam, voice, and text, with the Christian Chat app. You can also start or participate in a Bible-based discussion here in the Christian Chat Forums, where members can also share with each other their own videos, pictures, or favorite Christian music.

    If you are a Christian and need encouragement and fellowship, we're here for you! If you are not a Christian but interested in knowing more about Jesus our Lord, you're also welcome! Want to know what the Bible says, and how you can apply it to your life? Join us!

    To make new Christian friends now around the world, click here to join Christian Chat.

Is Faith without works alive to GOD or dead to GOD?

  • Faith without works Is alive to GOD.

    Votes: 4 12.1%
  • Faith without works Is dead to GOD.

    Votes: 24 72.7%
  • Other

    Votes: 5 15.2%

  • Total voters
    33
Jul 28, 2021
1,226
406
83
#81
I know many believers who do very little for the Lord. I know lost people who do more good works than most believers.
What does that mean, they do very little for the Lord? Do you think the Lord is impressed with your works? According to Him, your works are like bloody menstrual pads (literally).

Yes, the unbelieving do works that impress men, for sure, but they do not please God.
 

1ofthem

Senior Member
Mar 30, 2016
3,729
1,921
113
#84
James gives examples: clothing people, giving people food and a place to stay. Do these things justify the Christian? I'm justified by the faith of Jesus Christ, not my own pathetic faith which waivers day by day, even hour by hour.

15 If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food,
16 And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit?
17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.
No, I'm not saying that we are justified through works we are only justified through faith in Jesus. Jesus is the one that does the works in and through us.

It is not about following a bunch of rules, doing alms, or whatever to try to be saved or keep ourselves saved. It is about loving God and letting Him work in and through us.

We can do nothing on our own to make ourselves worthy of God's salvation the only thing that makes us worthy is Jesus Christ and faith in Him.
 

John146

Senior Member
Jan 13, 2016
17,176
3,700
113
#85
What does that mean, they do very little for the Lord? Do you think the Lord is impressed with your works? According to Him, your works are like bloody menstrual pads (literally).

Yes, the unbelieving do works that impress men, for sure, but they do not please God.
Exactly my point. Works do not justify. The only thing that justifies the believer is the faith of Jesus Christ.

Galatians 2:16 Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.
 

John146

Senior Member
Jan 13, 2016
17,176
3,700
113
#87
No, I'm not saying that we are justified through works we are only justified through faith in Jesus. Jesus is the one that does the works in and through us.

It is not about following a bunch of rules, doing alms, or whatever to try to be saved or keep ourselves saved. It is about loving God and letting Him work in and through us.

We can do nothing on our own to make ourselves worthy of God's salvation the only thing that makes us worthy is Jesus Christ and faith in Him.
I agree. But how do you reconcile what James has stated:

24 Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.

Does works justify? Or faith only?
 

Blik

Senior Member
Dec 6, 2016
7,312
2,428
113
#88
"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.
We do not know if the faith tha the criminal on the cross's faith was not faith enough to listen to what Christ told him or not as he had no time to live out his faith. God took his faith as complete faith in all of Christ.

Christianity is not about a Christ of the mind only, Christ transforms life and is a living God. It is impossible to have God within and only the world within. God within manifests itself in action or God is not within.
 

Blik

Senior Member
Dec 6, 2016
7,312
2,428
113
#89
Well, I haven't memorized all of it yet. I still need to read and study it everyday.
Right on. Christ told us to pray for our daily bread and when Christ was tested in the wilderness he explained to Satan that the bread was the word of God.

In this world we have plenty bread from the world that is opposed to God in movies, TV, newspapers and all media. It is for Christianity to not be fed by those things but to be fed by the word of the Lord.
 

AnnG

Member
Aug 22, 2021
88
97
18
#90
Exactly my point. Works do not just ify. The only thing that justifies the believer is the faith of Jesus Christ.

Galatians 2:16 Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.


Agree my friend. Jesus did all the work for us on the Cross! Full FAITH in Him! ... IT IS FINISHED. Saying otherwise then Jesus died in vain.
 
Dec 9, 2011
14,142
1,806
113
#91
Even though he was counted righteous before he did the works, I still don't consider his faith "faith without works" because he eventually did the works.
So, I guess I'd have to know the definition of "faith without works". Is it..

-I believe in God's promises, so I will do what he says because I trust in him?
-I believe in God's promises, and he will take care of everything, so I don't have to do anything?
Faith without works means believing without having to do something physical that shows that you believe like the thief on the cross didn't do physical works.
 
Dec 9, 2011
14,142
1,806
113
#92
The thief on the cross through faith, witnessed to the non believer. I wouldn't say his faith is work, but his witnessing would be.
This thief shows such a strong faith in Jesus's ability to take him to heaven.

I can't help but think about Jesus's feeling of being forsaken by God
So then you believe that faith Without work Is alive to GOD and not dead?
 

Pilgrimshope

Well-known member
Sep 2, 2020
14,661
5,908
113
#93
I was wondering what the majority of the community thought about this question.
faith is not yet complete if it is opposed to the works set before us by Christ Jesus .

it doesn’t mean we’re lost of have failed it just means the seed of faith is having a little problem emerging from the soil , but with water , and care by the gardener it will grow and begin to bear the fruits of faith that make it complete

faith should be what moves us , not us moving trying to have faith of that makes sense forst the seed is planted and received

“Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God.”
‭‭Luke‬ ‭8:11‬ ‭KJV‬‬

And then comes the stormy weather to test the value of the soil

“Those by the way side are they that hear; then cometh the devil, and taketh away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved.”
‭‭Luke‬ ‭8:12‬ ‭KJV‬‬

but they persevere and keep It in thier heart and then the remotes comes with the thkngs of the world

“They on the rock are they, which, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, which for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away.”
‭‭Luke‬ ‭8:13‬ ‭KJV‬‬

but they persevere and the roots get strong and then the material lists attempt to choke out the seeding and it stops short of accepting the world set before

“And that which fell among thorns are they, which, when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection.”
‭‭Luke‬ ‭8:14‬ ‭KJV‬‬

but then some day , we don’t know which or even what changes the power of faith begins to change the bow growing plants branches and we see fruits beginning to bud

“But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience.”
‭‭Luke‬ ‭8:15‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Faith has to be established before any work is going to be accepted , and when faith is established in the correct place , faith is going to change us into fruitful people in his things but faith is our target , and persevering therin negate a harvest whether large medium or small works are born of faith and complete the words meaning .

we have to hear and believe the thkngs tbe lord came and taught that’s where faith is planted in the heart and we abide and hold fast in believing the rest is promised just because we do that
 
Dec 9, 2011
14,142
1,806
113
#94
Even though he was counted righteous before he did the works, I still don't consider his faith "faith without works" because he eventually did the works.
So, I guess I'd have to know the definition of "faith without works". Is it..

-I believe in God's promises, so I will do what he says because I trust in him?
-I believe in God's promises, and he will take care of everything, so I don't have to do anything?
see post #48
 
Dec 9, 2011
14,142
1,806
113
#95
faith is not yet complete if it is opposed to the works set before us by Christ Jesus .

it doesn’t mean we’re lost of have failed it just means the seed of faith is having a little problem emerging from the soil , but with water , and care by the gardener it will grow and begin to bear the fruits of faith that make it complete

faith should be what moves us , not us moving trying to have faith of that makes sense forst the seed is planted and received

“Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God.”
‭‭Luke‬ ‭8:11‬ ‭KJV‬‬

And then comes the stormy weather to test the value of the soil

“Those by the way side are they that hear; then cometh the devil, and taketh away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved.”
‭‭Luke‬ ‭8:12‬ ‭KJV‬‬

but they persevere and keep It in thier heart and then the remotes comes with the thkngs of the world

“They on the rock are they, which, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, which for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away.”
‭‭Luke‬ ‭8:13‬ ‭KJV‬‬

but they persevere and the roots get strong and then the material lists attempt to choke out the seeding and it stops short of accepting the world set before

“And that which fell among thorns are they, which, when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection.”
‭‭Luke‬ ‭8:14‬ ‭KJV‬‬

but then some day , we don’t know which or even what changes the power of faith begins to change the bow growing plants branches and we see fruits beginning to bud

“But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience.”
‭‭Luke‬ ‭8:15‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Faith has to be established before any work is going to be accepted , and when faith is established in the correct place , faith is going to change us into fruitful people in his things but faith is our target , and persevering therin negate a harvest whether large medium or small works are born of faith and complete the words meaning .

we have to hear and believe the thkngs tbe lord came and taught that’s where faith is planted in the heart and we abide and hold fast in believing the rest is promised just because we do that
I believe you are saying that faith Without works Is dead to men but question I wanted to know Is Is faith Without works dead to GOD?
 
Aug 14, 2021
29
41
13
#96
So then you believe that faith Without work Is alive to GOD and not dead?
No not at all. When the thief on the cross came into the equation, I had to pause for a minute and discussed it with my husband because I really do believe that through faith, we will do works, we can't help it if we are true believers, so the thief threw me off. He reminded me of the witnessing of the thief, there it is, he couldn't help it.
 

Pilgrimshope

Well-known member
Sep 2, 2020
14,661
5,908
113
#98
I believe you are saying that faith Without works Is dead to men but question I wanted to know Is Is faith Without works dead to GOD?
I checked the box “other “ Thy at you provided

well
I think you added that look at your name brother “ seed time and harvest “ Thats more what I said 😍
 
Dec 9, 2011
14,142
1,806
113
#99
Agree my friend. Jesus did all the work for us on the Cross! Full FAITH in Him! ... IT IS FINISHED. Saying otherwise then Jesus died in vain.
So you would agree that JESUS did the work so that all who Believe In HIM should not perish but have Everlasting life so then so then you believe that faith Without doing any work Is alive to GOD but faith Without doing works Is dead to men?
 

Pilgrimshope

Well-known member
Sep 2, 2020
14,661
5,908
113
[
No not at all. When the thief on the cross came into the equation, I had to pause for a minute and discussed it with my husband because I really do believe that through faith, we will do works, we can't help it if we are true believers, so the thief threw me off. He reminded me of the witnessing of the thief, there it is, he couldn't help it.
amen God changes us into those learning to walk we may not jog or run right away but the changes are not possible to Keep to ourselves

For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.

For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.”
‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭2:8-10‬ ‭KJV‬

it’s the old Man v the new creation in Christ prepared to start taking the steps