FreeGrace2 said:
Far too many people totally misunderstand James.
A "dead faith" is a faith without deeds. That does NOT mean an unsaving faith. There is no such thing as an unsaving faith.
We are saved by grace through faith. Eph 2:8 Do you believe that or not.
Our interpretation of the verses below means we arrive at a different understanding, of that free gift of salvation.
OK, you want to change the subject. I would have preferred an answer to my question, but, oh well.
Luke 13:7
And he said to the vineyard-keeper, ‘Look! For three years I have come looking for fruit on this fig tree without finding any. Cut it down! Why does it even use up the ground?’
That tree represents the Christian life, no fruit, then in time, that Christian is severed, they never really believed in Jesus.
Did Jesus explain His parable in the gospels? Unless He did, you have no authority to tell us what you think Jesus meant.
The purpose of parables was to give truth in a way that those with closed eyes/ears couldn't understand.
And even His own disciples needed His parables to be explained. And their eyes/ears weren't closed to truth.
I woule never base any doctrine on a parable. Anyone can claim nearly anything about a parable, and who could argue?
Galatians 6:8
For the one who sows to his own flesh will reap destruction from the flesh, but the one who sows to the Spirit will reap eternal life from the Spirit.
The comparison is clearly between two outcomes, destruction and eternal life, damnation and salvation.
Actually, not. The verse isn't even about damnation, but rather "destruction from the flesh" is a reference to God's divine discipline resulting in physical death. Paul made that point in 1 Cor 11:30.
The word "reap" refers to earning something. As in "you reap what you sow". You earn or deserve it.
So, "reaping eternal life" refers to earning reward in eternity. As Jesus said in Rev 22-
12 “Look, I am coming soon!
My reward is with me, and I will give to each person according to what they have done.
We know that salvation doesn't come with Him because salvation comes when a person believes in Him for it.
I am shocked that you will alter the plain reading of the text and say something about reward.
Well, you need to study more. Reward is a legitimate concept in the Bible.
Rewards are EARNED. They are NOT a gift. Rev 22:12 proves that reward is earned.
James 2:17
In the same way, faith also, if it has no works, is dead, being by itself.
A dead faith means what it says, zero faith, unbelief.
This is very common error in James 2. To say that "dead faith" equals NO faith is wrong.
Would you say that a "dead body" is really "no body". If you have a dead body, you HAVE A BODY. You can't deny that FACT.
Same is true of faith. You've got some repenting to do about your understanding of Scripture.
The scripture is clear on the point, that living the Christian life is a critical requirement.
If you believe that lifestyle is a requirement for salvation, then we really don't have anything more to discuss. Salvation is by grace through faith, and NEVER by lifestyle.
You know that 'dead faith' means no faith.
I reject that as strongly as I can. Again, a dead body is STILL a body. You cannot deny and still claim sanity.
And again, James 2:18 summarizes the whole point of 2:14-26. I expained it clearly. You can reject that, but that is the FACT.
The ONLY WAY to demonstrate your faith is by works. FACT. The example James gave in 2:15,16 is of a believer who didn't demonstrate his faith by works. He paid lip service to people in need. That has nothing to do with his saved state.
This passage is also taught in 1 John 3:18 - Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.
See? James 2 is about actual service and NOT lip service. The man in the example gave very kind words, but failed to back it up with and actions, like giving them food and clothes.
Many believers pay lip service without backing it up with action.
Doesn't mean the person isn't saved, but it does mean his/her faith is unproductive, which is what "dead" means figuratively.
I wonder why you do not understand what it is written.They are not plain, after you have altered the direct meaning of those verses. Or ignored the context.
Gee. I wonder why you do not understand what it written. Can you address the verses I quote and prove that they say something other than what I explain?
James2:26
For just as the body without the spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead.
A body without a spirit is STILL A BODY. It still exists. FACT. Your understanding of James fails.
There cannot be any dispute about the meaning of the verse above.
Apparently you still don't get it.
If one of your parents die, would you ignore the body as if it no longer existed?
We are never saved by any other means than God's grace.
Correct.
Though, we are created for good works.
Correct.
No good works during the Christian life means no faith.
This is a failed understanding.
No faith means no forgiveness, no grace.
If a person has never believed, then yes, of course. However, James wrote to believers, so your pretext is false. James wanted believers to demonstrate their faith to others, and NOT just give lip service.
You have deleted half of the New Testament with your interpretation.
I think this is delusional.
Why did Paul write all his letters?
To teach and encourage believers to live out their faith, share their faith with others. Both 1 Pet 3:15 and Col 4:6 show that personal evangelism comes primarily through the believers' lifestyle that brings questions about it. And believers are to "be prepared" to give an answer.
I'm giving all your pastors a failing grade.
However, you still have Acts 17:11, so you have no excuse for the poor and inaccurate teaching you have received.
I use the Berean study method for years and it has served me very well.
The term I was replying to was "sinless perfection". 
