Works Complete Faith?

...and it is...

The Corinthians where obviously not exhibiting true faith if they were living in sin.

Paul and James agree that their lack of fruit and good works indicates that their faith is not true. It is only by true faith that a man can be justified... and good works will follow as a natural consequence.

See how that works now? Not complicated at all really.

I think it covers everyone. But in explaining the Hebrews 6 passage you said it was referring to believers. If only believers can commit the unpardonable sin, the Pharisees would have to be amongst the believers. They were the ones who leveled the charge.

...and it is...


The Corinthians where obviously not exhibiting true faith if they were living in sin.


Epesians 2 is pretty good text to stick to.


Paul and James agree that their lack of fruit and good works indicates that their faith is not true. It is only by true faith that a man can be justified... and good works will follow as a natural consequence.

See how that works now? Not complicated at all really.

It is only by true faith that a man can be justified... and good works will follow as a natural consequence.

James nowhere addresses true and false faith

These people seem to believe (faith) and they believe they have done works. But obviously something’s wrong… What ya think?

James 2:
17Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.
18Yea, 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.
19Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.
20But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?
21Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar?
22Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?
23And 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.
24Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.
25Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way?
26For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.

Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. 22 Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ 23 And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’

These people seem to believe (faith) and they believe they have done works. But obviously something’s wrong… What ya think?

If your faith is weak and pathetic, it obviously is not the gift of God.

That passage does say love is the greatest, but it doesn't say love outlasts faith and hope, it says all three are eternal.

Nope, that's not what I said--and you know that.

Stop slandering me...

STOP IT.

Obviously something's wrong indeed. Jesus never knew these many people in Matthew 7:22-23 which means they were never saved. These many people in Matthew 7:22 had the wrong foundation. They were trusting in their works to save them and not in Christ alone. (Ephesians 2:8,9) Their hearts were not right with God, so their "attempted external obedience" (apart from the righteousness of God which is by faith and the blood of Christ - Romans 3:24-28; Philippians 3:9) was still stained with sin.

Matthew 7:21 - Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Seeking salvation by works is not the will of the Father. John 6:40 - For my Father’s will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day. Instead of Lord, Lord, didn't WE, the correct answer for these many people in Matthew 7:22 would have been Lord, Lord, didn't YOU die for our sins, were buried and rise again the third day to provide for us eternal life? We trust in you alone as the all-sufficient means of our salvation.

In regard to Matthew 7:21-23, (I will never forget, prior to my conversion several years ago while still attending the Roman Catholic church) I read Matthew 7:22 and was astonished! I remember thinking to myself, these many people accomplished all of that, "prophesied in His name, cast out demons, and did many wonderful works" but that still was not "good enough?" Then I thought to myself at that time, how am I going to "top that" and be "good enough?" Such is the mindset of the natural man who believes that obtaining salvation is based on works.

Nope, that's not what I said--and you know that.

Stop slandering me.

You cannot answer the arguments I present, so, instead, you accuse me of something ridiculous, something heretical, something I have denied over and over, because you can only "prove your point true" if you are dishonest and only answer something that is ridiculous, and obviously not what I've said.

Doesn't that bother you? Who are you tricking? Are you tricking yourself? How could you live with yourself knowing you're lying about me? Is that what your version Christianity produces? Sin? See, you are a great example for why people shouldn't believe the way you do.

Even when considering the Jews, and how, despite having been saved, they fell under God's wrath, and didn't inherit the promise made to them, Canaan, they didn't die for a single sin, so how on earth are you continuously arriving at that railing accusation against me? Again, I can only surmise it is because you know you are incapable of addressing the actual arguments I'm making, and, so, you are resorting to deception.

STOP IT.

Yes, his faith is counted as righteousness, and it resulted in his justification.
However, don't forget he also had "footsteps of faith" (Ro 4).

That walking in faith results in justification (Ja 2).
Also, walking in doubt results in condemnation (Ro 14:23).

The theme of meditation for me this week has emerged as a consideration of the answer to "what is the condemnation of the devil?" and a tributary I've come upon is "what is an 'unclean spirit'?"

It seems your view is inverted from the conclusion that I've reached, that either justification or condemnation will determine that which one walks in.

I know what you’re saying… But I also believe the unforgivable sin can only be committed by the elect, who are delivered up to give testimony against Satan (antichrist)

So that would excuse every one there




Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. 22 Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ 23 And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’

These people seem to believe (faith) and they believe they have done works. But obviously something’s wrong… What ya think?

Interesting take. There is something definitely wrong with those in the passage you share, but Jesus tells us what it is...I never knew you. In John 17:3 we are told that eternal life is KNOWING the Father and Jesus. This isn't a knowing of facts and information about Them. This is a knowing as in Adam knew his wife. It is experiential and intimate. Those in Matthew 7 did not have this. Their confidence was in the things they did; not the One they knew. I fear, there are many like this today. Christianity is not about doing but about knowing. And in that knowing, we are changed more and more into His likeness.

Interesting take. There is something definitely wrong with those in the passage you share, but Jesus tells us what it is...I never knew you. In John 17:3 we are told that eternal life is KNOWING the Father and Jesus. This isn't a knowing of facts and information about Them. This is a knowing as in Adam knew his wife. It is experiential and intimate. Those in Matthew 7 did not have this. Their confidence was in the things they did; not the One they knew. I fear, there are many like this today. Christianity is not about doing but about knowing. And in that knowing, we are changed more and more into His likeness.

I’ve thought about such, funny how a simple consideration as to who the Lord was talking to in a particular Chp and verse can materialize into a structure of intimacy regarding Adam and Eve… man I got a lot to learn. And I agree, in a very literal sense for as a Christian, with every passing second I become more and more like Him, in knowledge and in time.