Ephesians 2 is not preaching faith alone.
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o rly.
"apart from works" isn't clear enough?
how about,
Romans 4:5
But to him who does not work but believes on Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is accounted for righteousness
some may think they have a new revelation, but this is something like thread number 2,374 on this topic. all with same conclusion
((spoilet alert))
what this comes to is do not judge, so that you will not be judged. for by the same measure by which you judge, you will be judged.
((spoilet alert))
what this comes to is do not judge, so that you will not be judged. for by the same measure by which you judge, you will be judged.
The Lord must've been leading both of us at the same time.
I only read a few posts when He brought that verse to mind.
I posted it. Only THEN was I compelled to scroll back to see your post for the first time.
On top of that, we posted almost the same minute.
I love it when God does that!
The Lord must've been leading both of us at the same time.
I only read a few posts when He brought that verse to mind.
I posted it. Only THEN was I compelled to scroll back to see your post for the first time.
On top of that, we posted almost the same minute.
I love it when God does that!
exactly the same for me
we even highlighted the same points, witnessing Him
exactly the same for me
we even highlighted the same points, witnessing Him
"Faith IN CHRIST NOT ENOUGH" preachers be like......
EPH 2:1-3, “As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins wherein you walked when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in the children of unbelief. All of us lived among them at one time, participating in the lusts of our sinful flesh and mind, and we were by nature children of wrath, like the rest.”
Sinners are spiritually dead and bound for hell before being saved, when they practiced the morality of the ungodly that is the environment of sinners, and the ruler of the ungodly is the devil or Satan, who indwells atheists and works evil using them.
EPH 2:4-6, “But because of his great love for us, God, being rich in mercy, makes us who are dead in transgressions alive with Christ, saved and being saved by grace. And He raises us up with Him and seats us with Him in the heavens.”
God’s love and for all sinners (per Rom.5:5-8 and 1Tim.2:3-4) and mercy for those who repent transforms those who whose wages were is death (per Rom.6:23) into those who are alive because of faith in Jesus as Lord (per 2Cor.4:5 & Col.2:6). Conversion and sanctification are not by works (per Eph.2:8-10). The future resurrection when the saints will share Christ’s blessings is viewed as being present.
EPH 2:7-10, “In order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”
The purpose of God’s POS is that in the present (NT) age God might reveal “the incomparable riches” of eternal life in heaven, experienced as kindness because of the atonement of CJ. Such salvation or heaven is a gift received via faith. All we have is gifted by God per 1Cor. 4:7, and so salvation is not earned; faith is not meritorious. The reason for God’s creation of a holy humanity is so they will reflect His love to all manifested by good works, which are the fruit of the HS (Gal. 5:22-23) and a way of life in which we should walk.
EPH 2:11-12, “Therefore, remember that formerly you who are Gentiles by birth and called “uncircumcised” by those who call themselves “the circumcision” (that done in the body by the hands of men)—remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world.
This is a flashback to before the salvation described in v. 7b-10, referring to all non-Jews (which brought forward includes Muslims), who are called “uncircumcised” by way of denoting the separation of Israel from the rest of humanity because of the laws promulgated by Moses. Physical circumcision signified obedience of the law for Jews, but for Paul it was a sign of faith and the righteousness of Christ that is imputed or credited to believers in Christ (Rom. 3:21-22, 4:3-24), including Gentiles, who had been separate from both the Old and New Covenants and thus without hope and without God in the world (except for what could be discerned from creation and conscience per RM 1:20 & 2:14-15).
A good way to put it. Idle being dead.
Well said. The context of Paul is that no man is made righteous with God by past works without faith toward God:
Titus{3:4}
But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, {3:5} Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;
The context of James is that no man is justified with God by faith alone without works toward God.
James{2:14}
What [doth it] profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?...Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.
Paul is speaking of the unbelievers becoming righteous with God by faith in Jesus Christ. James is speaking of the believers not being righteous with God by faith in Christ without works.
The faith in Christ that saves the unbeliever, is apart from old dead works. A faith in Christ that does not justify the believer, is apart from any present works.
Well said. Again, the only faith that saves, is apart from old works without God. The faith that justifies is only with new works for God.
Eph 2 also includes the works and labors of their own without God, that men can boast of. Which once again are not the new works and labors for God by grace, that no man can boast of:
Gal 2:20
I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.
1Co 15:10
But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.
But he was declared justified with God by his works. Rahab also.
Being declared righteous by faith, is the righteousness of a purified heart. Being declared justified by faith, is the justification of a purified life.
Being declared righteous by faith, is no longer justified without the works of faith.
Jas 4:17
Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.
Since I know you are not justifying faith alone without works, then I'll allow: Grace through faith alone apart from past works of unrighteousness. But, Faith alone apart from present works is never justified, for if without works, then the sin is not doing good. And if with evil works, the lie is justified while doing evil.
The lie of salvation by grace through faith alone apart from our present works, is obvious: People wanting to believe that are justified with God by their inner faith alone, apart from anything they may do, including evil.
Rom 2:3
And thinkest thou this, O man, that judgest them which do such things, and doest the same, that thou shalt escape the judgment of God?
1 John{3:7}
Little children, let no man deceive you: he that is doing righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous.
No man or devil doing unrighteousness, is ever justified by their faith alone.
Jas 2:18
Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.
Idle faith is not a justifying faith, and delusional faith is good faith doing evil deeds.
1Sa 24:13
As saith the proverb of the ancients, Wickedness proceedeth from the wicked:
Mat 15:19
For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies: These are the things which defile a man:
All evil deeds come from the heart, which has no good faith within.
Ok, since you wish to continue further. I already know the point. It's been taught by others for 'Faith Alone' salvation without works. But once again sincerely, you do put it uniquely. I always appreciate unique answers, since it requires a unique response.
The thrust of what you are saying about James 2 is: The faith that alone saves the soul unto eternal life, is not the faith that only saves this life: Two different 'faiths' for two different 'salvations'. And not just different, but separate from one another: One alone separate from works, and the other with works.
I.e. the gospel of 'Faith Alone' is really: The eternal soul saved and justified by faith alone without works. That is not the temporary life saved by faith with works. The on Faith Alone that saves the soul, also justifies without works. The other separate faith that saves the life, only justifies by works.
"Abraham's already there faith was made complete by offering his son Isaac.. that did justify in terms of an acceptable sacrifice.. but did not justify.. as Paul wrote..in terms of eternal life."
#1: The faith that alone saves the soul, is made complete with work, and so is not complete without work. Therefore, the saving faith of our Lord Jesus is 'incomplete'. How then does an incomplete faith 'completely' save the soul...
1 Thess{5:22}
Abstain from all appearance of evil. {5:23} And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly;
#2: While it's true that God's faith saves lives as well as souls, it's not true that they are by two separate faiths:
Gen 49:18
I have waited for thy salvation, O LORD.
Exo 14:13
And Moses said unto the people, Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD, which he will shew to you to day: for the Egyptians whom ye have seen to day, ye shall see them again no more for ever.
Eph 4:2
There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; One Lord, one faith, one baptism, One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.
God's faith is one whole faith, that wholly saves the soul and the life:
3Jo 1:2
Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.
As it may be said, if someone receives Christ at old age, a soul is saved, but if young, then a soul and a life is saved from sin and corruption: By the save one whole faith of our Lord Jesus Christ.
#3: The faith spoken of throughout James 2 is that of the Lord Jesus:
Jas 2:1
My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons.
There are three examples then recorded of believers having the faith of Christ: With works respecting persons, without works, and with works justified with God.
Christ is warning all believers, not to have the faith of the Lord: If we commit sin (respect of persons). If our faith is without works, and do not do good: Believers do not have the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons.
#4: The salvation is of him that has the faith, not for them that have no help from his faith without works.
What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?
Even if the faith only pertains to saving lives (which makes the faith of the Lord separated into two, rather than one whole faith), how can not doing good in worldly goods for others, possibly fail to save ones own worldly goods? Not helping others with their needs, only saves our own needs for ourselves alone...
Conclusion: the Scripture concludes that if any believer keeps their faith in Christ to themselves alone, rather than doing good by their faith, then their faith is not of the Lord, but is their own alone and dead to salvation of soul and life:
Mat 10:32
Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven. But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven.
We see faith kept alone to oneself, and not acted upon to do good, is faith that is dead and denied by the Lord in heaven: that faith cannot save the soul nor life of him without works, that does no good. If faith does not good, then faith is no good.
Jas 4:17
Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.
To him that commits the sin of respecting persons, and to him that commits the sin of not doing good, to him his faith is dead and no good to God and man. Only to him that does good by the faith of the Lord, is his faith able to save the soul and justify the life with God.
1Jo 3:16
Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. 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?
Is the faith of the Lord to save, also separate from the love of God? If a man has faith without the love of God, as without works, can faith save him?
How do we see the love of God? By doing good, especially to the brethren. And so also we see the faith of the Lord with works:
Jas 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.
1Jo 3:18
My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.
1Jo 4:20
If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?
Faith and love unseen without works, is dead faith alone. It cannot save the soul nor the life.
No man has the faith nor the love of God, that does no good. Warm words without deeds hates the brethren, even as not doing good is sinning against God.
Mat 15:8
This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me.
Jesus quotes from the time of the law of Moses? Is His position undermined by saying the same for the time of His coming? No.
Rom 2:13
For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified.
James{1:22}
But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.
Paul and James confirm the same rule, both with the law and the word. Neither is undermined by the other.
True principle applies in all cases, as here speaking of Mosaic law, and word of Christ. Idle faith never justifies a person.
James{2:22}
Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.
Well, that certainly says it all about the self-delusion of having faith without working. Those not working never get anywhere, not in this life nor the next:
1 Tim{4:8}
For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come.
Profound words from faith alone, apart from works, are always meaningless. Especially the learned bromides that don't work.
Abraham was justified in terms of eternal life before he offered up his son Isaac, as Paul wrote.
Rehab already had faith before hiding the people.
Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and receive eternal life. All thru the book of John and Romans.
Yes, this justification is from God, not from the person who believed. It is a conviction on the spirit from God, that leads them to believe.
James is on THE faith..walking in obedience..not mainly on conversion.
End.