Often said phrases, without considering the context:
'Faith without works is dead' in James 2.
'Be baptized for the forgiveness (or remission) of sin' Acts 2:38
'Abraham was justified by works'
'There is no more sacrifice for sins' in Hebrews 10
There is more..
But you gotta ask yourself..what are the surrounding verses?
Time, place, who is talking to whom? What is the subject?
For eg.. James in writing faith without works is dead, is in the context..talking about faith people already have being used for the profit of others. Look at all the examples of faith he gives.
Its not about works being attached to salvation..or no works and no salvation.. that's not the subject or context of the passage.
So.. gotta think these things thru the actual surrounding chapters .
Jas 2:14 What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?
Jas 2:15 If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food,
Jas 2:16 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?
Jas 2:17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.
Jas 2:21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar?
Jas 2:22 Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?
Jas 2:24 Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.
Jas 2:25 Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way?
Jas 2:26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.
James said if a person does not have works their faith is dead.
And Abraham and Rahab were justified by works and Abraham by works made his faith perfect.
So without works our faith is not perfect.
Because true faith has the proper perspective of God's kingdom that it is love so act accordingly by helping people with their needs whatever it may be, works.
For without it a person does not have true faith.
Which James said we are justified by works and not faith alone.
Why do people fight against what is written.
Because they go by what Paul says not saved by works.
But there cannot be a contradiction in the Bible.
What does Paul have to say about what James said.
1Co 13:13 And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.
Gal 5:6 For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love.
Paul said charity, love in action, works is greater than faith.
And faith works by love.
Which means if you do not have works of love then you have no faith.
1Co 13:2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.
Paul said he could have all faith but if he did not have charity, works, then he is nothing.
Which is the same as your faith is dead.
So Paul agrees with James all the while people argue over them.
And the people on Paul's side want to justify their wrong interpretation.
We are saved by faith and not by works when we first confess Christ for that is all we can do.
But when we receive the Spirit we have to have works or our faith is no good.
Like James said we are not saved by faith alone.
So it puts to shame the people who carry faith alone and not works as being incorrect.
But do they really have the Spirit.
1Jn 3:17 But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?
1Jn 3:18 My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.
John said if a person does not have charity the love of God does not dwell in them.
So do not love in word, neither in tongue, but in deed, works.
For love is only valid if it is done in works which is why it is called charity.
At a charity event do the people want everybody to say I love you, have a nice day, but they want money, action.
Heb 10:26 For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,
Heb 10:27 But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.
If a person holds on to sin the blood of Christ cannot wash away their sins for God will not take away a sin they hold on to.
Some people say they cannot abstain from sin so they are holding on to sin.
2Ti 2:19 Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.
Mat 7:21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
Mat 7:23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
Gal 5:16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.
Gal 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
Gal 5:23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
Gal 5:24 And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.
1Co 10:13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.
A person that confesses Christ has to depart from iniquity.
Which there is no excuse for if a person hates sin, and does not want and allows the Spirit to lead them they can abstain from sin.
Which a Spirit led person is not under the law for their sins are forgiven, and they are not sinning so the law cannot touch them for prosecution.
2Ti 3:4 lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;
2Ti 3:5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.
2Ti 3:7 Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.
Not everybody comes to that truth but they do not allow the Spirit to lead them, love sin more than God, and are under the law, and their sins are not washed away.
People that say faith alone and they cannot abstain from sin would fit this.
1Co 13:5 thinketh no evil;
1Co 13:6 Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth.
Charity does not sin so if they hold on to sin making excuses they have no faith.
Jas 1:12 Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.
The person that endures temptation, does not act upon it, does not sin has eternal life.
But people will believe what they want to believe and do not want to give up sin and make excuses about it.
All this written and people will still deny it.
Do you love God or not.
And who forced you to sin and you did the sin on purpose.
So what is the excuse when you could of chose not to sin.
