Which works justify?

[Believer08]

James 2:23-26 And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God. Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only. Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way? For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.

 

[Gideon300]

James 2:23-26 And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God. Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only. Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way? For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.

"Jesus answered them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent."" John 6:29

Abraham believed to the point where he did as God asked. It really is not that hard. If you go to a doctor and he prescribes a medicine, most people will take it. Why? Because you trust the doctor. If you do not take the medicine, you prove that you do not trust him. You may claim to trust the doctor but your "works" show otherwise.

 

[Believer08]

"Jesus answered them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent."" John 6:29

Abraham believed to the point where he did as God asked. It really is not that hard. If you go to a doctor and he prescribes a medicine, most people will take it. Why? Because you trust the doctor. If you do not take the medicine, you prove that you do not trust him. You may claim to trust the doctor but your "works" show otherwise.

Thanks.

 

[wattie]

James 2:23-26 And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God. Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only. Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way? For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.

So.. you have justification for receiving eternal life and works that are just in God's eyes.

James 2 is about the later, of works pleasing to God that are for the profit of someone else, assisting someone else by using faith.

The examples in James are those who already have faith and are using it to profit others.

They aren't going to get to heaven because of these works and don't lose a place in heaven if they didn’t do those works.

Romans talks about being justified without the law..without works. By grace through faith in Jesus Christ.

James talks about being justified by works.

Contradiction? No... they are addressing different parts of faith.

James...what people do to profit others with the faith they already have. Justified deeds pleasing to God.

Romans.. how someone is saved by grace through faith.. in the first place. Justification for eternal life..not by any works or deeds.

 

[GWH]

I agree with everything folks have said and would add that although God's love for everyone including sinners and atheists is unconditional, His forgiveness is conditional upon repentance or faith/love like that manifested by Abraham by his willingness to sacrifice his son. Thus, we should not divorce repentance, faith, will and love, because they are essentially synonymous when speaking about GRFS.

 

[Cameron143]

Let's say we put 2 mice in a cage. One is alive and one is dead. Now let's say we put some food in the cage. Which one will eat? Which will run on the wheel? Which will respond in any way?
So it is spiritually. Life always precedes activity. Once life begins, all kinds of things will proceed forth. Until it does, nothing will.

 

[homwardbound]

James 2:23-26 And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God. Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only. Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way? For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.

Faith without works is dead!
Which work is James speaking of God's done work from day seven in creation or self flawed flesh playing God as if knows best?
That is the choice for us all to decide read Psalm 82, and Ezekiel 18 about what the people do, in spite of being told what is best for them, which I see as Love to all through risen Son to do the same to all as is done for us all
So, to me, this is the done work of God working through us the kids accepted by God
Believe, receive and see, which I see you have already and Father thanks you and so do I

Eph 1:6,7, 13, Phil 1:6
Accepted, forgiven and sealed by God to see the whole truth, for all if or since you will not stop
Then seeing God carries on the work not us, we, at least me believe, receive from God and new with God on thanksgiving and praise at least me after a long walk off a short pier first, to be dead to me, standing in belief in thanksgiving and praise
reckoned dead to sin as in Romans 6:1-12

 

[Believer08]

Faith without works is dead!

Agreed!

 

[Edify]

James 2:23-26 And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God. Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only. Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way? For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.

Even when we first got saved, we believed (faith) & repented of our sins(works). Then there's the fruits of repentance (works). These works are the results of real faith.
If a sinner truly believes, he will respond with actions that proves he does.

 

[Sipsey]

James 2:23-26 And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God. Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only. Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way? For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.

Do you see James simply saying that works done without the unction of the Holy Spirit are dead vs Spirit inspired work? It seems he is simply comparing real faith with human hope.

 

[Believer08]

Do you see James simply saying that works done without the unction of the Holy Spirit are dead vs Spirit inspired work? It seems he is simply comparing real faith with human hope.

So which works justify?

 

[Blain]

So which works justify?

The works that justify are by faith but also by the leading of the spirit. Think about it anyone can do good works even the lost and unsaved so why would say serving the needy justify anyone if it can be doen and is done by the unsaved as well?

Well the works that justify have intent and belief that God can do anything Abraham knew God and had faith in what he can do he probably knew God would or could at leastt bring his son back to life. But he put God first abave all other things yes even the long awaited son that was promised
put God first and do what he desires as we know what he desires and you are justified by these works you do because you do it for him to serve him not yourself that is the key think like a servant

 

[Sipsey]

So which works justify?

Those done under the direction, or under the influence of the Holy Spirit.

 

[GWH]

The works that justify are by faith but also by the leading of the spirit. Think about it anyone can do good works even the lost and unsaved so why would say serving the needy justify anyone if it can be doen and is done by the unsaved as well?

Well the works that justify have intent and belief that God can do anything Abraham knew God and had faith in what he can do he probably knew God would or could at leastt bring his son back to life. But he put God first abave all other things yes even the long awaited son that was promised
put God first and do what he desires as we know what he desires and you are justified by these works you do because you do it for him to serve him not yourself that is the key think like a servant

Yes (EPH 2:8-10) and yes (RM 4).

 

[Cameron143]

Jesus works justify. Our works may or may not evidence that God has justified us.

 

[Believer08]

Jesus works justify. Our works may or may not evidence that God has justified us.

Ok..which works justified Abraham and Rahab?

 

[Cameron143]

Ok..which works justified Abraham and Rahab?

Jesus works. They are the only works that provide for justification. According to Galatians 2:16, any works we do provide 0 justification.

 

[Believer08]

Jesus works. They are the only works that provide for justification. According to Galatians 2:16, any works we do provide 0 justification.

What did Abraham and Rahab do to be said to be justified by works? Gal. 2:16 is referring to works of the law. Abraham and Rahab were not justified by those works. So what works does James say they did to be justified? They did something. What was it?

 

[Blain]

What did Abraham and Rahab do to be said to be justified by works? Gal. 2:16 is referring to works of the law. Abraham and Rahab were not justified by those works. So what works does James say they did to be justified? They did something. What was it?

it was the faith they had that made their works justified faith without works is dead but the same goes for works without faith
the works of the law are different kinds of works

 

[Believer08]

it was the faith they had that made their works justified faith without works is dead but the same goes for works without faith
the works of the law are different kinds of works

I agree that the works of the law are different kinds of works. But what works did they do that is said to justify them?